The Victorian Government says it will keep it's promise to open camping areas on rivers next month, but a Mitta Valley farmer has questioned state's assessment process.
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Earlier this year Victoria passed legislation allowing campers to set up on crown land water frontages from September 1.
The state government claims to be finalising the legislation after "consulting extensively with the community", but Mitta's Thomas Giltrap, a fourth generation beef farmer, said he feels the government didn't listen to his concerns about the law.
"Talk about extensive consultation with community, well it was only after the legislation was passed.
"Once they'd passed it they were really only just ticking a box; they weren't really listening or making suitable amendments to the legislation by the sounds of it."
The Victorian Farmers Federation and Murray River Action Group have also expressed concern over the legislation.
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Mr Giltrap said he doubted the legislation had thoroughly considered campers' safety from bushfires, other campers and livestock.
"What sort of an experience is a recreational user going to have if these risks aren't properly mitigated by the government?" he asked.
He said the fast implementation of the legislation meant risks could not be thoroughly managed.
"You really have to question to rigorous assessments they're undertaking currently," he said.
"Does that involve the CFA to determine if their fire trucks can access this area? What sort of engagement is the catchment management authority [going to have]? Or does Landcare have input on what areas are suitable?
"Or is this just going to be another government tick and flick where they drive past and say 'yeah, that looks suitable to us'.
"Without actively engaging individuals of all sites, there's really not going to be rigorous assessment."
Mr Giltrap said his next step was to wait for the legislations release.
"We'll wait for the final information to come out and we'll undertake a review," he said.
"And from there we'll determine suitable action."
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