If it passes the upper house, the Victorian Government’s Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill will abolish camping prohibitions on public land leased by graziers and organisations.
It’s a big win for regional families, but farmer concerns over trespasser damage continue to be voiced.
In response, the Victorian Nationals are seeking to change the amendment bill.
State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the Liberal Nationals want to improve farm rights and environmental protection.
“The Liberal Nationals support Victorians enjoying more opportunities to fish and camp on Victoria’s water frontages, but we don’t think it’s fair farmers and land managers are left behind,” Mr Walsh said.
The Nationals are hoping to put in place a rule saying people must acquire the consent of the farm and land managers before accessing public areas.
“This amendment is about protecting farmers, campers and the environment,” Mr Walsh said.
“Farmers can be confident of managing any risks to biosecurity, livestock, wildlife, areas of native revegetation, fire hazard, waste and pests.
“Campers can be confident of camping safely, finding out the best places to set up camp and learn about any protected species, or risks such as flood and dangerous landscapes.”
The Victorian Fisheries Authority will be working with the government to make more public land available to Victorian families.
“Public land is just that — for the public,” VFA fisheries systems and reform manager Chris Padovani said.
The VFA has an online mapping system, MapShare Vic, which travellers can use to identify Crown land on rivers and lakes.
The amendment is being introduced by the Andrews Government to fulfil a 2018 election commitment of guaranteeing access to fishing and camping on Crown land that has grazing licenses and river frontage.
Currently the public can access and camp on these lands, but when a farmer or organisation is given a licence to use the area they have to right to prohibit overnight camping.
The amendment contains several other actions, including creating the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park, correct the boundaries of current national parks, and make multiple changes to the Forests Act 1958.
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