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Vic Parks Camping Fee Proposal 19-Nov-2013 At 1:12:28 PM access t cliffcare

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On 19/11/2013 BA wrote:
>Not that I believe in conspiracy theories but ...
>
>Could the fee increase be related to the proposal for private development
>in National Parks?
>
>It only costs $X more to stay in a motel/hotel/B&B etc, why don't we do
>that instead of staying in a tent, using a smelly long-drop and no running
>hot or cold water?
>
>The argument favours smaller group numbers 1, 2, or 3 people rather than
>larger groups, but as I said "I don't believe in conspiracy theories" ...

Bill, this has definitely been a thought path of mine. It would certainly make sense given many of the other changes, the amount of budget cuts that PV has and continues to undergo. More private development or businesses means they could eventually get rid of the campgrounds in the park - no costs then for them to maintain. This could open up the parks for more development in other areas. I was just chatting to Glenn Tempest about this actually. It's a badly thought out and written document, convoluted and they must see that in order to implement and police it will cost more. And that's just one of the issues. So conspiracy theory - they are aware of this and the intended failure of it as a fee system, or they have people working on it who really have no idea.

Still, having said that, trying to get inside the heads of these people and work out what their bigger vision is - it's a guessing game and I still think the positive thing to do is to respond. Regardless of what their dastardly plans are, hopefully it would show that there are people that are interested in the future of the parks enough to say something. If we need to say something again...which I am sure we will...so be it. (as she runs off with her fist pumping the air...)

Cheers,
Tracey