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Melina Bath urges Labor to monitor campground vacancies, warning free camping policy could hurt regional businesses

Melina Bath urges the Allan Labor government to track campground vacancies, warning that their free camping policy could result in abandoned bookings, negatively affecting regional tourism and local businesses during the cost-of-living crisis.

By news@gippsland - 5th December 2024 - Back to News

The Nationals' Melina Bath has called on the Allan Labor government in state parliament to monitor campground vacancies in national parks where sites are free for the next six months. Ms Bath said Labor's free camping policy was ill thought-out and will adversely result in vacant sites when campers abandon their bookings.

Melina Bath urged the Allan government to monitor vacancy rates in free camping sites, highlighting staffing shortages and potential tourism impacts due to funding cuts

Camping deposit debate

Ms Bath said, "Without a deposit fee paid in advance, campers can take the easy option to abandon their booking for whatever reason, leaving the site unoccupied. Previously nonrefundable deposits ensured campers honoured their reservation or cancelled within the acceptable timeframe so campsites could be rebooked."

"The unintended consequence of Labor's flawed policy is a potential reduction in visitors to our regions particularly in less favourable weather, and a loss of revenue to local businesses, cafes, pubs, and supermarkets. Our rural towns have been impacted by the cost of living crisis and every dollar from visitors to our region supports local jobs and ensures businesses remain viable," she said.

Free camping concerns

Ms Bath said the Allan government must monitor vacancy rates in the 130 national parks announced as free camping sites to assess the number of 'no show' bookings and any negative impact on tourism.

"With Parks Victoria struggling to operate after Labor slashed $94 million in funding, cut jobs and resources, there is limited staff availability to manage site bookings and camping no shows across our national parks.

"This back of the envelope policy was designed to be a good news story; however, Labor fails to recognise the potential adverse impacts on our rural and regional communities. In a cost-of-living crisis rather than supporting local businesses, the Allan government could very well end up punishing them," Ms Bath concluded. Find out more about the The Ministerial response to Ms Bath's question is due 10 December 2024.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com