By Callum Ludwig
Victorians who are not careful in their use of park spaces could be slapped with fines of up to $4000 under the State Government’s proposed Metropolitan and Regional Parks Regulations.
Fines included in the proposal are up to a $1849 fine for swimming without a permit, up to a $3698 fine for collecting firewood for personal use, up to a $924 fine for walking off a defined path track, up to a $1849 fine for playing sport or engaging in recreational activity without a permit, a $1849 fine for organising a group of 30 or more to visit without a permit, and a $1472 fine for interfering with wildlife, soil, rocks, vegetation or visitors.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said the proposed extreme new laws are absurd.
“Governing the way community members use a park and banning fishing in park lakes
and rivers is senseless. The Liberals and Nationals will not allow the draft regulations to
proceed in their current form,” She said.
“These changes could have a detrimental impact on the Yarra Ranges accessibility and tourism opportunities if these popular and scenic parks are restricted.”
The current regulations are set to expire on 31 March 2023 and the Yarra Valley Parklands, Kurth Kiln Regional Park, Mount Dandenong Observatory, Dandenong Valley Parklands and Olinda Bushland Reserve and Golf Course are all included on the list of parks to be included in the proposed regulations.
All forms of fishing in a number of lakes and rivers right across the state will also face new restrictions, as recreational fishers could be hooked with a hefty penalty of up to $2000 if caught fishing in a restricted area.
Ms McLeish said if this trend continues it could certainly impact the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, swimming and fishing in the Yarra River and hiking through our different parks.
“We should be doing all we can to encourage Victorians to be active, adventure outdoors
and experience the great natural sites Victoria has to offer, not finding ways to turn
them away,” she said.
The community consultation on the new regulations covering how metropolitan and regional parks are managed closed on 22 August.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the concerns are ‘more misinformation’ from the Victorian Opposition.
“Victoria has the most accessible public land in the country and access is only restricted if it is necessary to protect the environment, Aboriginal cultural heritage and safety,” they said.
“The regulations do not restrict any activities that are currently allowed – people can still climb, bushwalk, swim and enjoy Victoria’s public land in the exact same they have been previously.
We’re creating more opportunities for Victorians to get out and explore our beautiful state – delivering on our election promise in 2018.”
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is considering the submissions on regulations and will develop recommendations for the Minister for the Environment Lily D’Ambrosio in the coming weeks.
The proposed changes aim to modernise existing regulations and allow for better management of parks including replacing the Crown Land Regulations 2011 which relate to a smaller number of parks.
