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Environment Agriculture | May 31, 2021

Landholders rally to scrap camping regulations

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy joined hundreds of landholders from across Victoria on the steps of Parliament rallying against the Andrews Government’s flawed camping regulations.

 The rally came just days after the Victorian Nationals passed an urgent motion at the party’s state conference condemning the Andrews Government for its policy.

 “If The Nationals are elected to government next year we will amend this flawed legislation to allow landholders to opt-in to allowing camping on licenced crown water frontages,” Ms Kealy said.

 “That means it will only occur on licenced crown water frontage where landholders actively choose to have people camp.”

  This is in direct contrast to Labor which plans to force landholders with licenced crown water frontage to allow people to camp for up to 28 days from September this year.

  Labor is also developing an app to show people where licenced crown water frontage exists and where unmarked roads can facilitate access to that frontage.

  Ms Kealy said the anomalies that existed in the regulations were unworkable and unacceptable.

 “Landholders are not allowed to collect firewood from Crown land reserves they hold under licence, and yet campers will be able to use this land and use firewood,” she said.

 “Not only do these changes expose landholders who face industrial manslaughter charges if there is a fatal accident to legal liability, but Labor MPs are also closing their ears to concerns about the risk of biosecurity breaches, bushfires, litter and the destruction of habitat.

 “This is a flawed plan that is a blatant grab for votes in suburban Melbourne.

 “People across the state are disgusted by the lack of consideration this government has given landholders in this decision, which was legislated first and consulted on second.

 “Labor needs to dump this ill-conceived policy and properly engage with landholders.”