DEECA & POTENTIAL CAMPING BAN AT HINNOMUNJIE BRIDGE

jeffe0101
10 hours ago
3 min read

HEADS UP! DEECA has just informed FOTM that they’ve been pursuing closing Hinnomunjie Bridge to all camping. Based on our recent conversations with them, they’ve agreed to pause this misguided effort and initiate discussions with stakeholders.

Initially this was presented to us as closure not just for caravans but for all paddlers and schools, camps etc. even camping in tents. Our understanding is it’s at least partly due to a neighbour’s complaint, and the Watercourse Regulations 2021 have been cited. This law clearly allows camping on river frontage sites after an “assessment” is done. We all know lots of other DEECA riverfront sites across Victoria where camping is allowed. The law prohibits camping within 20 metres of a watercourse or within 200 metres of dwellings, however the downstream half of the Hinno site is something like 100 metres wide from the river, and is over 200 metres from the closest dwelling.

We’ve had multiple conversations with DEECA and several of our FOTM and local constituents in the five days since we were made aware of this, and thankfully DEECA’s leadership has put a pause on things, and has committed to conversations with stakeholders about less extreme options for managing the site. This is excellent news, but it’s not yet over.

After speaking with some local neighbours, their issues seem very real and nobody would like to have the same issues at their own homes. We've committed to working with them to try our best to address their concerns whilst keeping Hinno open to camping.

Many of our members and supporters are schools, camps, clubs and just far-flung paddlers who camp at Hinno every year. Most if not all drive many hours to paddle the Mitta and camp at the take-out or Anglers or Joker. FOTM has achieved some breathing room and in partnership with DEECA we’ve dialled down the temperature a bit. However it’s now up to YOU to contact DEECA, let them know your thoughts and the impacts to you and your (school, camp, club, friends), and/or to request a meeting to discuss mitigation options other than complete closure.

If this matters to you or the org you represent or work for, please don’t go to the pub and have a rant and then leave it to someone else to do the heavy lifting. Write DEECA a letter, and CC FOTM so we can compile them all. FOTM has also emailed ministers of parliament about this, and of course you may do so as well if you choose.

In any case DEFINITELY email the DEECA district manager Peter Brick at; peter.brick@deeca.vic.gov.au

CC to; carriearonsonfotm@gmail.com plz

PS: Please be respectful to any DEECA crew including Peter. Ranting and raving isn't helpful and won't be productive. Take a breath, tip a glass, slow the heartbeat, proceed.

Attached are FOTM’s official letter to ministers, which was sent out to DEECA as well as personal letters from Jeffe & Carrie, also attached. We have not yet received many responses back from the ministers, but DEECA as noted responded promptly, apologised for how things have been handled, and has put a pause on things. They've also committed to intensive stakeholder discussions, which is really great.

Also attached is a boilerplate letter for those who don’t like to write or don’t have the time. Use it or not as you wish, however it’s our experience that individual, personal, heartfelt, passionate letters really really work best.

Thanks as always for your support guys. Let’s make sure the outcome of this works for all paddlers and campers, whilst addressing neighbour’s issues and the law, and keep our camping access to Hinno.

Jeffe, Carrie on behalf of the rest of the FOTM board

FOTM official letter to DEECA which resulted in a pause and committment to engagement:

Jeffe's personal letter to DEECA, as above resulting in a pause & committment to engage with stakeholders;

Likewise from Carrie;