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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

 Page 4 of 6. Messages 1 to 20 | 21 to 40 | 41 to 60 | 61 to 80 | 81 to 100 | 101 to 117
Author
New Fees Sign in The Pines

harold
22-Oct-2012
9:19:17 AM
On 22/10/2012 ajfclark wrote:
>Make friends with 5 other people travelling alone who also don't want to
>pay $15 per night by themselves. I imagine it shouldn't be too hard at
>most times of year.

Yeah you could do that. You could even have an enrollment board at the dunnies so everyone can group themselves in to sixes. You rock up Friday night at 11pm, sign in on the board to the next group of six and pay 2.50 a night......

or they could just charge per person! Especially since most people are happy to pay a little more than 2.50 a night in the first place.

Will_P
22-Oct-2012
10:25:32 AM
On 22/10/2012 ajfclark wrote:
'Make friends with 5 other people'

See, that's where some of us would fail.

I'm going to keep paying $2/night and making random donations to Louise's track work box.
Wendy
22-Oct-2012
6:33:45 PM
On 21/10/2012 Dane wrote:

>
>As for the fee increase, there goes any chance of me getting down there
>for uni holidays next year...
>

Whilst I agree the system is inconsiderate of the market (and it always was so in the Grampians as well, and it sucks for Mt Buffalo if you are a group of 2, and at any caravan park around the country - they must not really look beyond the traditional family holiday), it's a bit ridiculous to claim it will ruin anyone's chances for uni climbing holidays. Think of it as a chance to make friends. And meet climbing partners. No one just turns up at the mt and hangs by themselves hoping to miraculously get some climbing done. You go an chat to people. This is just another thing to do to meet people to share camp with. Round up a few of you and write tags saying "I'm with Bozo".

If uni students can afford to go to Thailand or Camp 4 or Squamish or Paynes Ford or Buffalo or Yangshou or indeed almost any other climbing destination in the world (actually, I'll give you Moonarie as being dirt cheap if you don't have to drive half way across the country to get there, and if you know where to bush camp, the Grampians as well), they'll still be able to afford the Mt.

harold
22-Oct-2012
8:27:49 PM
Actually, the whole point is that at any caravan park in the country, they charge min 2 people and then per person for any extras. At Buffalo its min 4 people and then $5 per extra person for after that, but its not so bad as you get hot showers!

BA said earlier "That is the way it has been in the Grampians for decades and you haven't complained about it." And you haven't, have you?
My point would be that I don't know anyone who has ever paid the camping fees in the Grampians and that is why they haven't complained. This would be a good point to make to Parks. I have only ever paid to camp at Arapiles. I certainly wouldn't do a 100km round trip to Halls Gap to from Stapylton just to pay my camping fees, and at the same time find 4 other people to split the bill with.

IronCheff
23-Oct-2012
9:26:26 AM
On 22/10/2012 harold wrote:
> I certainly wouldn't do a 100km round trip to Halls Gap to from Stapylton
>just to pay my camping fees, and at the same time find 4 other people to
>split the bill with.

There is no need to drive anywhere to pay camping fees at Stapylton. All you need is a phone and credit card.

ajfclark
23-Oct-2012
9:35:46 AM
On 23/10/2012 IronCheff wrote:
>All you need is a phone, credit card and the will to do it.

Depending on your mobile provider you might also need a steady hand to keep the phone in the 3cm spot where you get service...

Humour aside, that's still a much higher bar than "you need a pen and cash".

shortman
23-Oct-2012
10:36:28 AM
On 23/10/2012 ajfclark wrote:
>Depending on your mobile provider you might also need a steady hand to
>keep the phone in the 3cm spot where you get service...
>
>Humour aside......

Where?

ajfclark
23-Oct-2012
11:15:18 AM
Perhaps I should've written "Attempts at humour aside"?
anthonycuskelly
23-Oct-2012
11:23:22 AM
IronCheff, you're assuming that Parks in Halls Gap answer their phone...

ado_m
23-Oct-2012
12:17:13 PM
Will_P - Well done on the rewrite, a better attempt than mine thanks for picking up the gauntlet. I probably got the font wrong in my letter so the government functionaries at Parks will probably write to me in 14 months time, indicated that they have received my letter, highlight my poor choice of font and ask me to resubmit within 48 hours or they are going to disregard my letter. It wouldn't help either that I called the park ranger Darryl Braithwait either by mistake.

Ado
Will_P
23-Oct-2012
3:33:18 PM
On 23/10/2012 ado_m wrote:
'I probably got the font wrong in my letter so the government functionaries at Parks will probably write to me in 14 months time, indicated that they have received my letter, highlight my poor choice of font and ask me to resubmit within 48 hours or they are going to disregard my letter.'

As a government functionary myself (now comes with real suit & tie!), that would be my first reaction if you used greater than 12 or less than 10 font. But I'm pretty pedantic.

'It wouldn't help either that I called the park ranger Darryl Braithwait either by mistake.'

Classic! I'm sure he gets it all the time. And hey, what you wrote and sent was better than saying nothing at all, so four thumbs up for you.

Eduardo Slabofvic
23-Oct-2012
3:58:04 PM
On 23/10/2012 ado_m wrote:
>, highlight my poor choice
>of font

I recommend you use a very small hand written style, starting in the upper most left corner of the page, and using all available space on the page, until you are at the very bottom right of the page.

If you find yourself struggling to think of enough to write about to fill in all that space, just start quoting sections of the bible (or for you atheists out there - sections from a General Electric Maintenance manual for any popular model of upright Fridge/Freezer).

These types of letters are received well by humble government functionaries.

kuu
23-Oct-2012
4:40:50 PM
On 23/10/2012 Eduardo Slabofvic. wrote:
> (snip)
>If you find yourself struggling to think of enough to write about to fill
>in all that space, just start quoting sections of the bible (or for you
>atheists out there - sections from a General Electric Maintenance manual
>for any popular model of upright Fridge/Freezer).
>(\snip)
>
or you could cut and paste from a 'Greeking' alternative such as this ...

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Access T CliffCare
24-Oct-2012
8:10:14 AM
Hi All,

Just keeping you updated on the situation. Discussions are underway and although I can't fill you in on any details at the moment, things are looking positive. Hopefully I will have some news soon - either end of week or early next.
Good work to all for putting thoughts to paper, email etc. Changes are always going to be inevitable over time but hopefully we can work together to retain what is special about Arapiles.

cheers,
Tracey
Justcameron
28-Oct-2012
2:18:27 PM
Thanks Tracey, please keep us in the loop.
martym
28-Oct-2012
10:41:38 PM
My wife & I paid $10 to camp at the Uloola Falls "campground" in Royal National Park last night. It was a track intersection with a few sort of flat spots - absolutely no designated sites - and a pit toilet. I understand they want to avoid it getting "overcrowded" so they make bookings compulsory - but cripes!
The Pines is 4 1/2 stars compared to Uloola Falls 1star (for a toilet seat sans paper)

Hike in only too.

trog
29-Oct-2012
4:40:43 AM
On 28/10/2012 martym wrote:
>My wife & I paid $10 to camp at the Uloola Falls "campground" in Royal
>National Park last night. It was a track intersection with a few sort of
>flat spots - absolutely no designated sites - and a pit toilet. I understand
>they want to avoid it getting "overcrowded" so they make bookings compulsory
>- but cripes!
>The Pines is 4 1/2 stars compared to Uloola Falls 1star (for a toilet
>seat sans paper)
>
>Hike in only too.

It is in one of the most visited np's right on the edge of a city of 5 mil though
fingernailsarepretty
30-Oct-2012
11:56:38 AM
Hi Guys

Took a while due to an internetless holiday but i've finally sent my letter off to info@parks att: Alan, and to the ministers for Sports and Rec, Tourism and Environment. Sent on behalf of La Trobe Uni Mtneering Club. I've included the letter below for anyone who wants to use bits of it (took me a while to word).

Cheers


Dear


I am writing in regards to a sign that has been erected at the Mt Arapiles campground in regard to new conditions for camping fees.

I would like to know five things:

- what motivated the change in the fee system
- who (if anyone) within the Victorian climbing community was consulted
- the anticipated outcome of the new system
- the long term plan for the management of the campground
- the anticipated effect on tourism in the Wimmera

I spend a lot of time camped at Mt Arapiles, and the population is generally made up of overseas travellers (often solo travellers), large school groups in buses, people who come up for the weekend in small groups, and longer term locals (often solo travellers). All of these people are visiting Mt Arapiles to go rock climbing. There are also the occasional campervan couple who stay one or two nights as part of a longer road trip.

Mt Arapiles is considered a world class climbing destination. As such many overseas visitors come out to Australia specifically to visit Mt Arapiles. The campground is also renowned for being communal, popular and populated. As such a lot of people come out to the mountain by themselves in the hope of finding a climbing partner once they arrive (often without a car).

The previous system was that campers were required to pay $2 per person per night.
The new system involves a charge of $15 per night per campsite for up to 6 people and one car, plus $6.20 for each extra vehicle. Please note that defined campsites do not exist at Mt Arapiles and that there are three large general camping areas.

Ignoring the problem that there are no defined campsites, it seems the new system only works well in the case of small groups who camp at Mt Arapiles over a weekend. If 6 people came up in 2 cars and had to split $21.20 between them they would pay approx $3.50 per person /per night. 4 people in 2 cars = $5.30 pp /pn 4 people in 1 car = $3.75 pp /pn. If travelling and camping in this manner the price rises seem quite reasonable.

For international (and local) solo travellers the price per night has increased by 750%. A week at Arapiles as a solo traveller will now cost $105. This is well outside the budget of most backpacking climbers.

Deterring climbers from visiting Mt Arapiles for longer than a weekend will not only negatively affect the climbing community but will also detract tourism dollars from the area. Whilst most climbers are on a budget, they still need to buy food, use transport, internet, laundry facilities, the Horsham swimming pool and other local businesses during their stay. The Natimuk pub, cafe and milk bar are popular destinations amongst people camped out at Mt Arapiles.

To retain the character and popularity of the campground I propose a fairer system of fees be introduced. A flat rate per person per night (as existed previously) ensures that solo local and overseas climbers (who often do not have a vehicle) can continue to spend time at the Mount.

An increase in the rate per person per night (say to $4 or $5) recoups the same value of camp fees from weekend campers as does the current system but without penalising solo climbers. A fee of $4 per night equates to $28 per week per person. The potential fine for not paying camp fees stands at $80, with the current weekly cost of camping per person being $105. Unless Parks Vic will be sending a ranger out to check that camp fees have been paid more than once a week, it makes sense that the fine for not paying fees be well above the cost of paying fees, thus an incentive exists for campers to do the right thing.

Whilst an increase in prices was inevitable, the new 'per campsite' system seems unsuitable and unfair on the majority of campers. I ask that you consult with the community who utilise the campground and review your camping fee system.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Regards

Kate
Climbing Convenor
La Trobe University Mountaineering Club


martym
30-Oct-2012
12:31:43 PM
On 30/10/2012 fingernailsarepretty wrote:
>Hi Guys
>
>Took a while due to an internetless holiday but i've finally sent my letter
>off to info@parks att: Alan, and to the ministers for Sports and Rec, Tourism
>and Environment. Sent on behalf of La Trobe Uni Mtneering Club. I've included
>the letter below for anyone who wants to use bits of it (took me a while
>to word).
>
>Kate
>Climbing Convenor
>La Trobe University Mountaineering Club

Very well put - you've encapsulated what 4 pages of chockstone blather was unable to put eloquently.
Access T CliffCare
30-Oct-2012
12:43:42 PM
On 24/10/2012 access t wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>Just keeping you updated on the situation. Discussions are underway and
>although I can't fill you in on any details at the moment, things are looking
>positive. Hopefully I will have some news soon - either end of week or
>early next.
>Good work to all for putting thoughts to paper, email etc. Changes are
>always going to be inevitable over time but hopefully we can work together
>to retain what is special about Arapiles.
>
>cheers,
>Tracey

I'll have some details for you this afternoon. News is good.
Cheers,
Tracey

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There are 117 messages in this topic.

 

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