MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate Release
8 October 2010
Lake Mokoan Opens Door to Super National Parks Charges
If you haven’t got a wallet full of cash and permits stay in Melbourne!!
Field and Game Australia has issued a warning to Melbourne residents wishing to visit
Victoria’s National Parks and public lands that the days of a casual family day out are over.
This week the full details of new regulations applying to the Winton Wetland Reserve near
Benalla have become public and 99% of Victorians will be excluded from the park without a raft
of permits and a list of restrictions.
Field and Game Australia CEO, Rod Drew said it’s unfortunate for Melbourne residents who
rely on public lands for their opportunity to go camping or fishing.
“The days of simple access to National Parks or crown land reserves are over,” said Mr. Drew.
Environment Minister Gavin Jennings has now ensured if you live in the city you will have
access to the tiniest portion of the state’s natural places and you will pay and pay and pay
again for the privilege, said Mr. Drew.
The Winton Wetland Management Committee has been given the power to charge fees for
more than a dozen different permits and the rules for doing anything but look over the fence are
very complicated” said Mr. Drew.
“Bringing your family to Lake Mokoan is now almost impossible if you want to walk around the
wetlands and let the children run free,” said Mr. Drew.
Mr. Jennings has underhandedly introduced a whole range of new regulations including a five
paragraph ruling on how a beach umbrella is to be erected.
“The way is now clear for the State Government to introduce a wide range of fees and charges
for accessing or visiting Victoria’s National Parks and other public lands.
“If you want to go any further than Fitzroy Gardens, you will need plenty of cash in the near
future’” said Mr. Drew.
Editors Note:
The new regulations are in the Victorian Government gazette G36
(9 September 2010) pp1977-1986.
For further information contact:
Rod Drew, CEO
Field and Game Australia
0418 892 288
03 5799 0960
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