MARCH 30 saw the launch of the controversial camping on crown land river frontage initiative, with 10 campsites rolled out online over the first few weeks of the program.
A further 50 sites are anticipated to be added progressively over the coming weeks, with the Goulburn, Broken, Ovens, Campaspe, Loddon, Mitta Mitta and Murray rivers being assessed for suitability.
Current locations are all on the Goulburn, with Molesworth, Kerrisdale, Yea and Alexandra all hosting new camping areas in the Murrindindi Shire, and Seymour and Tallarook in the Mitchell Shire.
Murchison in the City of Greater Shepparton has also been deemed suitable for the program, with all sites walk–in only, with parking on nearby residential and rural roads.
Murrindindi's Kerrisdale for instance is accessible by walking 1.2 kilometres into the camp ground, and there is the acknowledgment that many of the sites may be part of working farms with cattle present on the water frontage or accessing the river.
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Correctly identifying the campsites which have been listed online by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning could also prove problematic, with campers reliant on specific co–ordinates to determine exact locations.
Access might also be up for interpretation.
Livia Bonazzi, chief executive officer of the Murrindindi Shire Council, said that as the camping sites were located on crown land they were the responsibility of DELWP.
"Landowners with any concerns about usage by campers should refer those matters to DELWP," Ms Bonazzi said.
"While council welcomes initiatives which boost visits and tourism to our shire, we encourage all campers using these sites to do so sensitively and with due regard for the rights of landowners on adjacent properties.
"Campers need to respect landowners' rights to privacy and quiet enjoyment of their properties, and ensure they treat the land and waterways with care."
The Mitchell Shire Council declined to comment until all sites had been released, and they could determine what the potential impact might be on adjoining landholders within their shire.
However, member for Euroa and the Nationals deputy leader Steph Ryan was more than forthcoming in denouncing the campsites along the Goulburn in Seymour, Tallarook and Murchison.
Ms Ryan said key questions about how the changes will impact local landholders remain unanswered.
"In February I asked the Environment Minister to outline how many leaseholders were affected, whether affected individuals had been notified and whether there was an official process of appeal once sites were identified," Ms Ryan said.
"Three simple questions were posed to the minister in February and so far, we've heard crickets.
"In that time the Andrews Government has surreptitiously completed site inspections along river frontage."
And there is confusion as to whether the respective councils were consulted locating the camp sites in their locale.
"There are also serious ramifications for leaseholders, who have been told they need to have public liability insurance in case someone dies or is injured at a campsite," Ms Ryan said.
"Labor is putting all the responsibility for this back onto leaseholders, but giving them no say as to who can enter or how the sites are managed."
A government spokesperson from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said that feedback received had been used to finalise the regulations and design a thorough assessment process to ensure important cultural, environmental and regulatory matters were considered at each site.
The tiny farming community of Molesworth has been earmarked as part of the initiative, with two camping areas listed on the DELWP site.
Both areas have walk–in accessibility from the rural residential Fullertons Road, with campers encouraged to park on the roadside.
Fullertons Road feeds into a fire access track.
Molesworth cattle producer and hay contractor Les Ridd has a holding that includes 80 acres on the southern side of the river with crown land river frontage.
Although he personally won't be impacted by the newly nominated camping areas, he is aware of three or four properties that adjoin the sites.
And as far as Les is aware none of the landowners in the area were consulted on the location of the camping areas, and have yet to be officially contacted.
A committee member of the Molesworth Recreation Reserve, Les is not opposed to the initiative, however, he is concerned about the potential ramifications of the previously untrialled roll–out.
"I think it's great that people can enjoy the river, however, my main concerns are around length of stay and the practicalities of the situation in regards to access and toilet facilities," he said.
Les also reiterated the same concerns all livestock owners have regarding the issue, in regards to animal welfare and public safety.
"I have been advised to lift my insurance policy on land adjoining the river," he said.
Another issue that is Molesworth–specific relates to the release of water down the Goulburn as part of the Murray Darling Basin plan.
Molesworth itself is a choke, much like Barmah, with the waterway capable of accommodating at the very most about 9500 megalitres a day.
"Any more and the region will flood," said Les.
"There are plans to send more water down the Goulburn, which will not only directly affect farmers in Molesworth but proposed camp sites may also be susceptible to flooding."
It is an issue that further highlights community concern that all invested parties and departments have not been consulted on the initiative, and that due process has not been followed.
