NOVEMBER 2020
     

'Timely and measured response'

Shire council bans summer camping on Mornington Peninsula amid COVID fears

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CAMPING on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula has been banned until February next year.

The local shire council announced its decision after careful consideration of the State Government’s Coronavirus roadmap and "to ensure the health and safety of all Victorians".

Thousands of people normally pour into the coastal area's campgrounds during summer, and the decision has dealt a big blow to revellers hoping to spend Christmas there.

Chief executive John Baker said that with restrictions still in place for the foreseeable future, the council had decided the ban was the most prudent approach.

"Even as we hopefully move from Step 3 into the last step of the Roadmap and then COVID normal, social distancing, density quotients, group sizes and a range of other measures will still be required," he said.

"It's not feasible to have foreshore camping under many of these conditions.

"One of our major concerns is the transmission risk from people having to use the shared toilet and shower amenity blocks.

"This approach is consistent with the Chief Health Officer's advice which has underpinned our decision."

With high visitation numbers expected on the peninsula over summer, areas usually occupied by campers could be used by the public for picnics and other outdoor activities, he said.

These spaces could also be used by beachgoers as overflow spaces to maintain social distancing requirements when beaches were particularly busy.

Mr Baker said while the council was disappointed the camping season has to be postponed, it was a necessary step to keep visitors and the local community safe.

The shire manages foreshore camping along the natural foreshore reserves in Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento.

It will provide an update on the reopening of foreshore camping in January.

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