The Minns Labor Government is contracting with private companies to take over parts of NSW national parks.
Under a new “supported camping” scheme, Labor is handing exclusive control of 23 campgrounds across 16 of the state’s most loved national parks to private operators.
These include Kosciuszko, Blue Mountains, Killalea, Bouddi, Mimosa Rocks, Dharug, Booti Booti, Wollemi, Warrumbungle, Ku-ring-gai Chase, and Murramarang.
Private operators will have the right to book and resell campsites, hire out caravans, tents, and equipment, and sell food packages. They’ll be exempt from park entry fees, but families will still have to pay.
Labor says it’s about “accessibility” and “visitor experience”, but those are just buzzwords to hide the truth. This is privatisation of public land.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Kevin Anderson, said this could put the great outdoors out of reach in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
“Camping has always been a great Australian pastime, with generations of families enjoying some time away from the rat-race in the peace and tranquility without breaking the bank,” Mr Anderson said.
“Our national parks are a huge drawcard for rural and regional areas, receiving more than 50 million visits every year, including 1.8 million overnight campground stays, but now Labor wants to put our most treasured natural assets behind a paywall which is absolutely outrageous.”
