WIMMERA caravan parks and camping grounds are closed to visitors as part of efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
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The statewide move came into effect at 11.59pm on Wednesday.
Exceptions are in place for permanent residents; and for those staying in caravan parks as interim accommodation where their primary residence is not available, including those of no fixed address and people placed in emergency housing.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria staff, and authorised officers, will inspect sites in coming weeks to ensure they are compliant.
The move comes after decisions by Hindmarsh Shire Council earlier this week to close council-operated caravan parks to holiday makers until further notice, and Ararat Rural City Council's move to restrict access to Green Hill Lake Campground on Monday.
Earlier
People hoping to travel to Hindmarsh for the school holidays are being advised to stay away, as council closes caravan parks to travellers.
Hindmarsh Shire Council chief executive Greg Wood said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that council operated caravan parks would be closed to holiday makers until further notice.
"This includes Riverside Holiday Park Dimboola, Jeparit Caravan Park and Rainbow Caravan Park," he said.
"The parks remain open to support essential travel such as necessary travel/accommodation for work purposes, travel required to return to your place of residence and travel on compassionate grounds."
Hindmarsh Council Mayor Cr Rob Gersch said permanent residents living in the caravan parks would also be allowed to remain.
The changes follow Ararat Rural City Council's move to restrict access to Green Hill Lake Campground on Monday, as state and federal governments advise people to stay home and avoid non-essential travel to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said she had contacted the state government on Wednesday to clarify whether all caravan parks in the district would be restricted to essential travellers only to protect residents.
Cr Gersch said a decision had been made to cancel the ordinary meeting of council scheduled for April 1, and review future meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As previously advised, Council's priority has been the safety and wellbeing of the community, volunteers and staff and this has now been extended to include Councillors," he said.
"The Victorian Local Government Act 1989 does not permit remote attendance at Council meetings which means Councillors need to be physically in attendance at Council Meetings.
"There are no provisions in the current Act for Councillors to attend via video link, Skype or any other digital or electronic means".
"Because of the rapidly increasing impact COVID-19 is having globally, which now includes regional Victoria, Council is doing its best to protect all levels of the community and felt it was a necessary step to cancel the first Council meeting scheduled for April."
"We will review the situation regularly before making decisions about the second April meeting and the May and June 2020 Council meetings. Council has put the appropriate processes in place to enable essential services for the Hindmarsh community to be maintained."
Cr Gersch said a review into pushing back the due date of rates had not yet been made but council had decided to provide a grace period on the payment of animal registration fees.
"There will be no fines for delayed payments," he said.
Cr Gersch said the community taxi service would continue but would be staffed by council instead of volunteers.
"People can continue to contact the service in the same manner as before," he said.
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Eliza Berlage
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
