Wednesday, 12 November 2025

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (14:39): I have a question for the Minister for Environment. Can the minister explain why three major campsites at Lake Eildon National Park will be closed during the peak summer holiday period? On 6 November Parks Victoria announced the closure of Lake Eildon National Park Fraser block campgrounds, including Devil Cove, Candlebark and Lakeside, from 7 January to 3 April 2026. This is during peak summer holiday time. Tens of thousands of visitors attend these campgrounds each summer. Campers at these sites have a significant and important positive impact on the towns of Alexandra, Thornton and Eildon. These regional townships rely heavily on tourism and will surely feel the pinch as their major tourism drawcard is removed. Many local residents and businesses find this decision unbelievable, particularly given last year’s debacle of the state government’s ghost booking saga – people booking out sites and not turning up. This is important for my electorate.