NewsBite

Free camping: Cape Conran and Corringle Foreshore free camp sites sit empty

Victoria’s free camping trials has been described as a “complete disaster” with one MP pushing for fines to stop future no-shows.

Victoria may end up with a new premier amid ‘terrible’ polling

Campsites at popular holiday destinations on Victoria’s east coast were left empty during the peak holiday period, prompting calls for no-shows to be fined.

Victoria has just completed the first summer holiday period with free camping in selected camp grounds, with sites left vacant when those who had made bookings didn’t turn up.

The free camping initiative is running to June 30 and is costing taxpayers $9m.

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull labelled the system a “complete disaster”, citing two examples in his electorate, Cape Conran and Corringle Foreshore, where campsites were empty from late December to mid-January.

He urged the government to fix the “ghost camping” problem before Easter with the suggestion Victoria follow Queensland’s leads to an immediate fine of $322.60 for not attending a “booked campsite or to put up tents and leave them unattended for more than 24 hours without a reasonable excuse”.

Cape Conran in East Gippsland is a mecca for summer tourists. Picture: Supplied
Cape Conran in East Gippsland is a mecca for summer tourists. Picture: Supplied

Orbost District Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Garry Squires said the free camping initiative had other flaws.

“For people who run caravan parks it makes it an uneven playing field,” he said.

“They’ve got to pay all their rates and other staff and have to charge people.

“But potentially there has been less people come to the area because of the ghost camping.

“It doesn’t pass the pub test, it doesn’t pass any test.”

The situation was repeated at Tidal River camping ground at Wilson’s Promontory with “campground fully booked” signage on display, but sites not being used.

Other options to fix the issues included half price payment in peak periods or paying a refundable deposit.

“Camp parks that are usually completely full from Boxing Day through the middle of January were at best two thirds full, meaning thousands less campers in East Gippsland alone,” Mr Bull said.

“Our economy can’t put up with our camp parks not being full at peak times.”

Mr Bull told parliament this week that only 100 of the 135 sites at Cape Conran were filled and 10 of 21 sites at Corringle Foreshore were empty.

A Victorian government spokeswoman said: “We introduced free camping to get more Victorian families out having holidays in the regions and putting money back in their pockets.

“Tim Bull and the Liberal-National Coalition are against this.

“We’ve put in place a range of measures to stop no shows including reminders being sent out a week before the booking, then again 48 hours out, regular ranger patrols and booking limits.”

Camping and recreation activities contribute an estimated $2bn plus a year to the Victorian economy and supports 20,000 jobs.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/victoria/free-camping-cape-conran-and-corringle-foreshore-free-camp-sites-sit-empty/news-story/b79a199683742f47d14d2d59c1c0f50a