The State Minister for Environment and Climate Change has been asked to provide an update on the camping fees review she announced earlier this year.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, raised the matter in Parliament last week after comments the Minister made in April this year announcing a review of camping fees where the Minister stated:

“The Government has asked Parks Victoria to review all other camping options to make sure we are getting the balance right between affordable holidays and funding for new facilities.”

Mr Bull said it was a review he was extremely supportive of as he did not believe the balance was currently right and changes needed to be made to make off-peak camping more affordable for families.

“This is a case where I support the review being conducted by the government, but am concerned that after several months we have heard nothing on its progress in relation to East Gippsland areas.

“Camping makes an important contribution to our local economy and I think it is important we make it more affordable for families to spend more time together in the outdoors.

“Many of the issues we face in society are through the breakdown of the family unit and whilst acknowledging there are costs that have to be offset, I would like to think those who want to camp in our best locations outside peak season can do so affordably.

“Places like Ocean Grange, Corringle, Tamboon Inlet, Cape Conran and Wingan are largely vacant at times outside the peak period and I think we should look at making it more affordable in those times at these sorts of locations,” Mr Bull said.