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General Climbing Discussion

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Mt Arapiles - Camping fee booking changes 1st July 28-Jun-2014 At 9:52:49 AM Stingray4100

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On 28/06/2014 Karl Bromelow wrote:
>For those of us who prefer to have an outdoor experience in this so-called
>"outdoorsy" nation does this extraordinary hike in price for camping (certainly
>not "affordable" for all) only go to subsidise the camping facilities (where
>they even exist) or will a percentage go towards subsidising the indoor
> "roofed" accommodation that we might choose to go without?
>
>Also, what organised protest at the scale of these price increases has
>been mounted to show the obvious displeasure of many in the real outdoor
>community?
>
>And I come back to my feeling that as a special interest group (climbers
>and wild campers) we have little if any lobby power and barely any understanding
>amongst the wider community in Australia.
>

I highly doubt that ANY of the (additional) revenue raised will be directed to improving camping facilities - particularly any improvements that might be useful to climbers and wild campers. After all, what improvements does this group actually need? Personally, I don't need any more shelters, BBQ's, signs or graded flat areas - I come to the bush to get away from all of this sort of stuff - most people do, including car based campers.

Any money that actually gets spent on 'improvements' will mostly benefit day walkers and picnic-ers - the group that's not actually paying anything. Most of the money appears to be slated for an upgraded website and booking system which wouldn't be needed if the charges were reasonable in the first place.

The way I see it, campers are being made to pay to fund infrastructure for tourists who stay in Halls Gap in luxury motels and apartments. My tin foil hat is buzzing...

You're right - climbers and wild campers are a very small minority of the total national park user group, that's why it's so easy to raise the costs, we don't have a large voice and the increases have gone largely unnoticed by Joe Public.

I had my protest by sending in a response to the RIS. It was duly ignored as expected. I've read that the 4X4 community contributed a large response to the RIS, as did a number of bushwalking clubs - it really was a waste of time, because the conclusion was foregone.

We all know that prices never come down, lobbying seems futile. About the only way that I can see change occurring now is if revenue actually falls because of these new charges.