Easter lockout: Parks Victoria locks campers out of Barmah Island

Campers have been locked out of all but a small corner of Barmah Island this Easter. Here’s what you need to know.

One of the access tracks to Barmah Island that Parks Victoria closed just days before Easter.

Campers have been locked out of all but a small section of Barmah Island, after Parks Victoria abruptly locked gates and dragged massive logs across entry four tracks just days before the Easter holidays began.

Locals were stunned by the move, given Easter is a critical period for local businesses.

Barmah Hotel publican Matthew Grissing said Parks Victoria should have given at least a few weeks warning.

“I spoke to them and asked why did you have to do this two days before Easter,” Mr Grissing said.

Parks Victoria issued an alert stating the majority of the island, except for a small area in the northeast was closed to camping over Easter and its enforcement staff would be patrolling the area.

PV regional director Kane Weeks said “there would be limited vehicle and camping access at Barmah Island this Easter holidays as the track conditions and bank erosion pose a risk to public safety.”

While tracks had been open, signs were erected over this week stating “this track is closed to all vehicles due to ongoing damage from floods”.

Parks Victoria sign on locked gate to Barmah Island

But Barmah Brumby Preservation Group members Dean Marsland said Parks Victoria’s argument made no sense, given people had been regularly using the tracks since the 2002 floods.

Mr Marsland said some campers had already set up on the island, but could no longer get out by the quickest exit.

“For these people to get out they have to drive a long way east to get to Broken Creek.

“It’s a real safety concern, if there’s a fire or someone needs an ambulance.”

Mr Weeks said Parks Victoria had done extensive work along the entire length of the Murray River and has reopened the majority of campsites and day visitor areas damaged in the floods. “There are many other places to camp in the area including Barmah National Park and along the Murray River Reserve from Barmah to Torrumbarry,” he said.