Fees to be introduced for Camping in Victoria's Parks

[Bob]

Please read the following

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vic...-1226744817948

The thin edge of the wedge

[my third 256]

what a mob of arse holes
the people doing the wrong thing has meant more resources needed
and up goes the price
just my thoughts
stephen

[Bob]

A extract for those who cannot access the Site



FAMILIES will have to pay to stay at more than 100 of Victoria's national park campgrounds for the first time, under a Napthine Government plan.

And the cost of camping at premium sites where fees already apply will be hiked from an average $37 a night to about $59 a night.

The Government is proposing the user-pays model - likely to be phased in from March - which it says as fairer for taxpayers and more sustainable.

The first stage would see 11 of Victoria's free park campgrounds introduce fees of about $19 a night on average, while 24 parks that already have fees would see increases.

The other 98 parks or reserves in Victoria would have camping fees by 2015 under the plan, which is expected to raise at least $13.5 million a year.


Environment Minister Ryan Smith said Labor mismanagement had left a $178 million Budget blackhole at Parks Victoria that had to be filled.

"We found that out of 133 camping grounds, only 24 campsites charged a fee for the use of the facilities," Mr Smith said.

"The cost of providing and maintaining these facilities (is) outstripping the revenue generated by more than $10 million each and every year."

The Government will release the plan for public feedback today.

Large group lodges that hold dozens of people, like those at Wilsons Promontory, would also be hit with increases of up to $90 a night.



The plan is likely to create a mixed response, particularly from businesses near national parks and budget travellers looking for cheap accommodation.

Last night, one of Melbourne CBD's cheapest hotels was offering a twin room in late October for $39 a night.

But the Government says it will put all money raised from new fees into parks services and facilities, which would give campers a quality experience.

Mr Smith said the fee structures would be comparable to other states, and would keep parks to "the highest quality".

"These modest changes will not affect Victoria's status as one of the most affordable states with regards to camping in national parks," he said.

A regulatory impact statement on the Government's plan, including modelling done by Deloitte Access Economics, will be released today.

The report says of the 2.2 million overnight stays at campsites each year, about 570,000 of those are at "basic" Victorian campsites with no showers nor permanent rangers.

There are about 54,000 overnight stays at premium-level sites with hot showers and full-time rangers.

The report warns that there could be less visitors if fees increased, but that the consequences of no action would be that "Parks Victoria will not be able to maintain campgrounds and roofed accommodation to the current levels leading to closures and reduced services".

Another option put forward in the report was a fee structure based on private camping operators' charges.

[Drewboyaus]

In principal, I don't mind paying a small fee if it helps maintain the facilities much like at Murundindi where it's $10 or $15 per night.
But the fee's they're talking about are OTT. That said, most of the places I like to stay don't have hot showers......

[Maxhead]

"These modest changes will not affect Victoria's status as one of the most affordable states with regards to camping in national parks," he said.


And the cost of camping at premium sites where fees already apply will be hiked from an average $37 a night to about $59 a night.

The first stage would see 11 of Victoria's free park campgrounds introduce fees of about $19 a night on average, while 24 parks that already have fees would see increases.

They call these fees modest...LOL

Are these fees per vehicle or per person I wonder.

As most will agree, paying a small price for a well maintained site is cool but getting ripped off by the Government AGAIN is BS!

[Cuppa]

Once any fee is introduced, no matter how small, it becomes far easier & more likely it will increase. 'User pays' is a scam. When did anyone ever experience a user pays system which actually improved on what it replaced? It just becomes more expensive & excludes more people. These are National Parks we are talking about, parks which belong to all of us. In some other states changes have resulted in fees (camping & vehicle entry) equal to or greater than caravan parks, without the same level of facilities often making camping unaffordable for many.
NP's should IMO remain special places available to all, not just those with the fat wallets & preparedness to book ahead.

[AB]

So it begins!!!

As above, don't mind small fees like at Murrindindi but those fees are ridiculous and will soon be an expensive weekend with the family.

Are those fees per car or per person?

[threedogs]

It will not happen, they tried to close all parks to ppl, a few years back. didn't happen

Just someone stirring the pot IMO

[Bloodyaussie]

I'm sick I am grumpy and I am f%£king pissed off with this kind of crap... as Drew mentioned a small fee but the amounts they are talking are ridiculous !!!!!

[macca]

It will not happen, they tried to close all parks to ppl, a few years back. didn't happen

Just someone stirring the pot IMO

I hope you are right TD, Anonymous Office Wallahs with a stroke of a pen can change all what we know before they have had their 2nd coffee!

Local NSW NP managers recommend closing access areas to their superiors with an attached budget forecast, read; cost savings, and next thing we know there is a thumping great steel gate blocking our way.

The place is run by bean counters not the people that get out and use the facilities be them serviced or bush camps. A fee for a serviced camp is reasonable but the bush?

Totally agree with Cuppa's post as well.