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Labor government scraps failed free camping policy, replacing it with half-price fees to support regional tourism recovery

The Allan Labor government has scrapped its flawed free camping policy in national parks after it harmed regional businesses and tourism, replacing it with half-price camping fees to support local economies.

By news@gippsland - 21st May 2025 - Back to News

The Allan Labor government has ditched its disastrous free camping in national parks initiative after the program backfired. Labor spruiked that the program would ease cost-of-living pressures, but the brutal reality was the complete opposite.

Shadow Minister Melina Bath criticises Labor's failed free camping policy, now replaced by half-price fees to support regional tourism

Ghost camping crisis

The poorly-designed program financially cruelled regional small businesses and left families disappointed by a lack of camping spots. Labor's free camping policy resulted in people deliberately booking multiple camping sites and then failing to show up, knowing there are no consequences. It led to low occupancy rates in popular national park campgrounds that would normally be fully booked.

Campsites sat empty during regional Victoria's peak tourist season, leading to the phrase 'ghost camping' being penned. Practical solutions to fix the multiple problems put forward by the Liberals and Nationals were dismissed by the Allan Labor government which backed in its flawed program. Free camping in national parks was heavily criticised by small business, peak tourist bodies, campers, and regional communities.

Camping policy fails

Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, said Labor's failed free camping in national parks program has quietly been scrapped and instead replaced with 'half price' camping fees in the state budget. "From inception, Labor's policy was systematically flawed and did enormous damage to small businesses and the regional economy that relies on the peak tourism season for survival."

"The Allan government said free camping in national parks would create more Victorians holidaying in the regions, it did the opposite. In a cost-of-living crisis, the program hurt regional sales and services and charged Victorian taxpayers $9 million to deliver it."

"Free camping in national parks should have been abolished when the problems were first identified, yet the Labor Allan government refused to listen. Labor can't manage public land use and Victorians are paying the price," said Ms Bath.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Wellington Shire Council will retain its three-bin kerbside waste service after landfill waste fell more than 40 per cent, reducing disposal costs and supporting lower household waste charges.
• East Gippsland Council connects local contractors with upcoming projects, opportunities and business support initiatives on 21 August 2026
  Around 80 local contractors attended East Gippsland Shire Council’s annual breakfast, gaining insights into upcoming projects, procurement opportunities, tendering processes and business support initiatives for local enterprises.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
• Nationals and Liberals pledge $5M Traralgon Tennis Centre upgrade to secure major international events and regional economic benefits
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged $5 million to upgrade Traralgon Tennis Centre, aiming to secure the Junior International and attract major events benefiting the Latrobe Valley economy.
• Wellington Shire Council opposes mandatory fourth glass recycling bin, urging Victoria to allow council flexibility instead
  Wellington Shire Council has again urged the Victorian government to scrap mandatory household glass bins, citing costs, practicality and existing Container Deposit Scheme success while seeking greater flexibility for regional councils.
• Gippsland commuters stranded after V/Line services end early, prompting calls for reliable regional rail services
  Melina Bath criticised Gippsland rail disruptions after AFL fans were stranded following an early service cutoff, calling for reliable regional transport and promising 1,110 additional seats on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• Gippsland Water invests $3.4M renewing ageing water and sewer infrastructure across regional communities
  Gippsland Water invested $3.4 million renewing ageing water and sewer assets, replacing 3.9 kilometres of water mains and relining 6.2 kilometres of sewer mains across Gippsland.
• Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
  Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation.
• Baw Baw Shire Council wins Resilient Australia Award for inclusive emergency preparedness initiative supporting vulnerable communities
  Baw Baw Shire Council won a Resilient Australia Award for its inclusive emergency preparedness initiative, helping vulnerable residents and children build digital skills, resilience and readiness for future disasters.
• Darren Chester met Latrobe Health Assembly representatives to discuss tackling youth food insecurity, poor nutrition and regional health priorities
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester is exploring funding for a Latrobe Valley initiative involving local health and education organisations to provide free healthy meals twice weekly, addressing student hunger, poor nutrition and wellbeing.
• Moe’s first women’s cricket team makes history as $11M Ted Summerton Reserve upgrade boosts regional sport and accessibility
  Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve has received an $11 million upgrade, delivering improved sporting facilities, accessibility and female-friendly change rooms ahead of the town’s first women’s cricket match. The project supported 370 jobs.
• Willow Grove recreation reserve secures $360,000 lighting upgrade to improve safety and support local sport
  Willow Grove Recreation Reserve will receive a $360,000 lighting upgrade by 2028, improving safety, supporting local sporting clubs, expanding female football opportunities and assisting emergency services during critical events.
• Hazelwood North CFA to receive long-awaited new station under Nationals and Liberals' Latrobe Valley infrastructure commitment
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding.
• Darren Chester calls for Aged Care Minister's resignation over home support delays
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support.
• East Gippsland Landcare Groups recognised at Victorian Awards celebrating 40 Years of environmental stewardship and community conservation efforts
  East Gippsland Landcare groups Moogji Aboriginal Council and FEVL received the First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award, while Romawi Landcare was highly commended for innovation and its ongoing conservation efforts.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges Victorian election candidates to cut red tape and boost farm gate tourism opportunities
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to reduce red tape and ease planning restrictions on farm gate businesses, reforms could boost agritourism, support local producers, create jobs and strengthen regional tourism.
• Darren Chester releases 2026 Age Pension Guide to help older Gippslanders navigate retirement support and services
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has released his 2026 Age Pension Guide, providing older Gippslanders, pensioners, carers and families with information about pensions, concessions, aged care and government services.
• Morwell’s Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park celebrates major $45M redevelopment and new regional sporting facilities
  Morwell’s Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park celebrates a $45 million redevelopment, featuring five playing surfaces, 1,200 seats, upgraded facilities and new event spaces.