Question details
Eastern Victoria Region
(1282) My constituency question is to the Minister for Environment. Minister, my Gippsland constituent wants to understand what your government is doing to monitor vacancy levels in national parks under your ill-thought-out free camping policy. Without a deposit fee paid, campers are more likely to abandon their booking if the weather becomes inclement or there is a change of mind. An unoccupied site booked and not attended cannot subsequently be rebooked, leaving vacancies in these parks at peak time. A diminished volume of tourists will impact on our local clubs, pubs, cafes, supermarkets and local businesses. Clearly, Minister, this is policy on the back of an envelope. In a cost-of-living crisis, rather than supporting regional businesses you are punishing them. Minister, what is the vacancy level in national parks with a camping policy?
On 13 October 2024, the Premier and I were pleased to announce that camping at all 131 Parks Victoria campgrounds will be free from 1 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
This $9 million investment will ensure all campers have free access to every campground across the state including the popular Tidal River in Wilson’s Promontory. This will ensure that campgrounds remain accessible and affordable for families and bring more tourism to regional areas. As part of this investment, $1.7 million will go towards additional maintenance, repairs and operating costs to ensure campgrounds are kept clean and safe for all to enjoy.
Since the announcement, I can confirm that there has been a 115 percent increase in campsite bookings, as Victorians take advantage of the chance to stay and explore some of the state’s most iconic destinations from Wilsons Promontory to Lake Eildon.
I am advised that bookings are essential for campsites and can be made via the Parks Victoria website. Each person can book up to a maximum of two camp sites per transaction which ensures more people have access to campsites. People who have changed their travel plans are reminded to either cancel or change their booking via the confirmation email. When a booking is cancelled, the campsite is automatically made available online to give others an opportunity to book a campsite and enjoy the great outdoors.
Parks Victoria will undertake patrols of campgrounds during the peak summer period to monitor campsite vacancies.
Steve Dimopoulos MP
Minister for Environment