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NO CAMPING ALLOWED. read this note we need your support 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. 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. Please support on re opening