EAGER foreshore campers got a shock last week when Mornington Peninsula Shire pulled the pin on this year’s holidays.
The shire emailed those with bookings at its Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento campgrounds on Wednesday night (4 November) notifying them of its decision to postpone camping until February.
The 1136 campsites were expected to be available from the last weekend of October, in time for the Melbourne Cup weekend, until April. But a council risk assessment concluded it could not safely go ahead.
Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker said the postponement was the “right decision with restrictions still in place for the foreseeable future”.
“We concluded this was the most prudent approach after careful consideration of the state government’s coronavirus roadmap and to ensure the health and safety of all Victorians,” he said.
The decision could cost the shire up to $3 million in lost fees.
Foreshore camp grounds run by volunteer management committees at Dromana, Capel Sound and White Cliffs-Camerons Bight, are not affected by the shire’s decision and their websites indicate they will be open 19 December to 25 April.
3 Comments
Thank god they are closing these. Last thing we need out there is lots of these rude campers who could cause another outbreak. We are doing great out here keep campers away this summer
I cant believe the Shire is so single minded in closing the forshore camping grounds. Something that people have enjoyed with their families for generations.
Rosebud & beyond businesses are struggling as it is, they need the tourist over the short summer season to help substain them for the whole year. The council is supposed to be working for the greater community, so very disappointed in them. If they are worried about the community toilets etc, hire some extra local cleaners to do extra cleaning to keep the campers safe with the revenue they get from the site fees.
I do hope the council comes to their senses.
Why is the story about people who don’t live on the MP. Rather than those who do.
Talk to most residents and they are relieved that the campsites are closed. Local businesses don’t think that the campers are the big spenders the media make out.