Camping guidelines change since July 2014

[dplanet]

The cows are now back in their paddocks, not in a national park (thread viewtopic.php?f=37&t=18916)

How about the change in camping otptions and fees since July 2014.
Here is the link to an article in the Age, which was related to camping fees to rise at Victorian NPs
http://thegreynomads.com.au/2013/10/cam ... nal-parks/

Hope that these ParksVic guidelines will be looked into and reversed as well.

[Moondog55]

I ignore the fees and just camp and no longer even contemplate going to the Prom as much as i love it

[stry]

Well put MD.

That's pretty much my approach also. If I'm confronted, I'll deal with it then.

[CaptainC]

Labour criticised the fees changes when in Opposition but I haven't heard anything since the election.

[dplanet]

I think that time will tell and here is some related information viewtopic.php?f=37&t=18333

[JohnStrider]

All those fees just to hike. How much do they fine you if you are caught without a permit?

[neilmny]

All those fees just to hike. How much do they fine you if you are caught without a permit?

No fees to hike John just if you camp.
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=15224

[Stew63]

I ignore the fees and just camp and no longer even contemplate going to the Prom as much as i love it

I took my 11yr old to The Prom camping last September and just couldn't believe the camping fees for a tiny 2person tent in an unpowered site are now approaching $60/night - and that was 'off-season'!
Crikey!!!

[JohnStrider]

All those fees just to hike. How much do they fine you if you are caught without a permit?

No fees to hike John just if you camp.
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=15224

Sorry meant camping.

[dplanet]

It was understood by me. Regarding fine, IMO Parks Service Rangers are busy enough specially with their track work and maintenance.

[drakkar]

I think it will also have the effect of people 'secret camping' or driving 500m and cutting a track in to a clearing to save the camp fee's.

People will also expect something for their money... and when they don't get it will have less respect for the authority and unfortunately take it out on the park.

Maybe I have too little faith in society.

[Earwig]

... People will also expect something for their money...

I agree. I worry that we will see bush camping areas become more caravan park-like to jusitfy the cost.

[Hallu]

They won't be able to put flushing toilets, showers and water in every NP campground. First of all, I think what we're starting to see (people refusing to pay) is gonna be a huge deal soon. So they won't get more money out of those ridiculous fees, hence they won't have the budget for serious improvements. They just shot themselves in the feet with this pathetic new policy. All bushwalkers/campers are now thinking "fight the power".

[rocketrm2]

Labor in Opposition, promised to scrap these new fees. Contact the Minister, you local member demanding Daniel Andrews keep his promise.
Brisbane Ranges, $36 a night for a solo hiker, in a hike tent. No showers, etc. I have stayed in commercial campgrounds for less than this amount getting, hot showers, camp kitchen and at times swimming pool.

[rocketrm2]

GREAT NEWS !!!
The Andrews State government has kept its promise!!! Napthine's camping fees have been abolished!!!

[neilmny]

Only the $13.00 basic camp fee, the rest are still in place and might be reviewed.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

January holidays at Tidal river is the annual cash cow and the VNPA have reported that many people either stayed away , went to Walkerville or Yanakie instead or crammed a silly number of humans and cars onto one campsite at Tidal River. By charging so much they have scared off rusted on annual regulars. I never camp at Tidal River. It is not my style at all. I do like to have a nice hot shower there after a long multi night hike in the interior of the Prom, either walking the Southern or Northern circuits.

[Lophophaps]

January holidays at Tidal river is the annual cash cow and the VNPA have reported that many people either stayed away , went to Walkerville or Yanakie instead or crammed a silly number of humans and cars onto one campsite at Tidal River. By charging so much they have scared off rusted on annual regulars.

This mirrors the discussions here by people here who prefer more remote camping: avoid the formal campsites. I wonder if PV have hard data such as year on year camping numbers. If so, and combined with anecdotal reports from this website, it should be possible to bolster the government's resolution to repeal all the fees that make no sense. Making the former government, now opposition, look foolish is always a good political move.

I saw the Bogong High Plains platforms at Easter. The Dibbins platforms have a rather nice disposition, with most people camped near the hut. The Cope Hut platforms are in horrible position, being exposed to wind. You can appreciate the pleasant view as your tent collapses.

[rocketrm2]

Not sure about the above post, saying only, "the $13 fee" would be abolished. I phoned the Minister's office and was advised that all the fees put in place by the former State government have been abolished. Including the $35 fee at Boar Gully, the $10 a night on the Great South West Coastal trail.
It seems in lots of sites the cost of administering the fees exceeded the revenue.

[north-north-west]

It seems in lots of sites the cost of administering the fees exceeded the revenue.

Well butter me on both sides and colour me stonkered! Who wooda thunk it?

[neilmny]

It seems in lots of sites the cost of administering the fees exceeded the revenue.

Well butter me on both sides and colour me stonkered! Who wooda thunk it?

Crikey!

Rocketrm2 there is no mention of completely abolishing fees on the Parks web site only about the basic camps as mentioned in my previous post.

[Lophophaps]

Hopefully economic sanity will prevail and the remote spots will be free as well. It is simply too costly to police, even ones close to a road like Cope Hut.

[Out_Walking]

Including the $35 fee at Boar Gully, the $10 a night on the Great South West Coastal trail.

Seems a bit of confusion on this (any one surprised?). The GSWW Facebook page still says the fees are in place.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-So ... 71?fref=nf

[neilmny]

The basic sites still require booking and have a price on them ($13.00) but apparently a 100% discount is applied as you carry through the booking process.