Have your say on riverside Crown Land rules
03 March 2021
The Victorian Government is encouraging farmers, fishers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts to have their say on proposed regulations to govern recreational activity on Crown Land with river frontage and grazing licences.
In 2018, the Government committed to guarantee access to fishing and camping on Crown Land that has grazing licences and water frontage to help friends and families spend more time together outdoors.
To enable the implementation of this commitment, Parliament recently passed amendments to the Land Act 1958 to remove the prohibition of camping on licensed river frontages.
To support the changes, the Victorian Government will create consistent regulations for these licensed areas.
The public is already able to already able to lawfully access licensed river frontages for recreation such as fishing, hiking and picnicking. The consistency will help allow recreational users better understand what can and cannot occur when accessing these areas.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have drafted proposed regulations to govern the recreational use of Crown Land that has grazing licences and water frontage.
These changes will allow for camping in appropriate areas from 1 September 2021, allowing time for extensive consultation with stakeholders, including an online public consultation period opening today for six weeks.
These regulations governing the use of the land for camping will be enforced to ensure the best interests of licensees, livestock, the environment, and recreational users.
The Government is asking people to provide their feedback on the proposed regulations online at www.engage.vic.gov.au/regulated-watercourse-land-regulations, email public.land@delwp.vic.gov.au or write to Land Management Policy Division, DELWP, PO Box 500, East Melbourne VIC 8002.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“The public has a right to enjoy public land. With these changes, campers will be welcome to use Crown Land with water frontage free and in harmony with licensees and the environment – the same way that currently occurs in State Forests.”
“The land is already available to use for a range of recreational activities including fishing, but the addition of camping will mean more opportunities for families to enjoy the great outdoors and camp free at more spots.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“This is about creating more opportunities for Victorians to enjoy the great outdoors and make it easier for them to have camping adventures right across the state.”
“DELWP will be developing these draft regulations with the views of the community and the best outcomes for the environment and licensees in mind – we want everybody to have their say.”