Camp grounds at Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento to remain shut in bid to stem spread of coronavirus
It’s a much-loved tradition that kicks off on Melbourne Cup weekend and runs right up to Easter. But now Mornington Peninsula foreshore camping is in doubt, with the opening date for sites pushed back.
South East
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A summer by the sea is in doubt for regular campers on the Mornington Peninsula.
The council announced on Friday that the 2020/21 season would not begin on October 23 as planned.
Instead council-managed sites in Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento would not open until at least December 19.
A final decision on an exact start date for the season would not be made until later in the year, a council statement revealed.
The decision was made in light of Stage 4 restrictions being introduced across metropolitan Melbourne.
“While we are disappointed the camping season has to be postponed, it is a necessary step to protect our community and do our part to flatten the curve of this pandemic,” a council statement says.
People with bookings for the “pre-peak” season, which was meant to start in October, have been notified.
Eloise Glanville, who has been joining her friends at the Rosebud campsite for 13 years, was hopeful she would be able to continue the tradition this year.
“We usually head down the second week in December, so if they reopen when they are planning, we’ll be OK,” she said.
“The family I camp with has had the same spot for more than 25 years. They’re right on the beach, in the Golden Mile area of the camp grounds.
“I actually visited the site in between the first and second lockdowns. I stood there and said ‘See you soon!’”.
Ms Glanville, who normally lives at Southbank, supported the decision to postpone the start of the camping season.
“Everyone has to do whatever we can to stop the spread of this virus,” she said.
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