Bushwalking Victoria releases petition

By | Bushwalking Victoria, General News

We have launched [this online petition] so clubs, members and the general public can collectively raise concerns about the AAAS directly with Premier Andrews and Minister Eren.  Over 1000 people have already signed it!

Thanks to many people who have contacted their local Member for Parliament to raise concerns with the likely impacts of Australian Adventure Activity Standards on volunteer community-based bushwalkers.

Many MPs and Minister Eren have responded stating that they don’t believe that the AAAS will impact our bushwalking. However, our most recent advice is that this is not the case.   Our ongoing concerns are:

The “standards” specify over 20 “national competencies” that are designed for professional operators.  It is unrealistic and inappropriate to expect volunteer bushwalkers to attempt to prove they meet these competencies.

The standards are NOT voluntary if land managers, courts and insurance companies all consider that they apply to volunteer bushwalkers.  The AAAS currently explicitly apply to volunteer bushwalking leaders and clubs.

Increased compliance burdens and liabilities resulting from these standards are likely to result in community-based clubs reducing their trips program or even folding.

Our simple solution is to include the following words in the standard(s):

“Compliance with this standard may be deemed mandatory for commercial adventure activity operators. This standard does not apply to volunteers.”

When you sign the [online petition] you can also add a comment if you wish.

Could you also please post or forward this link to any friends who also enjoy the outdoors http://bit.ly/AAAS-petition?

Peter Campbell
President, 0409 417 504

Image result for bushwalking victoria

Churchill Park Satuday Walk – 19/8/17

By | Weekend Walk

EEWG- Weekend Walk

Churchill National Park

Contact: Stephen 0408 574 401 or rs.sl@bigpond.com

Walk Details:

Walk through Churchill National Park (and into adjacent to Lysterfield Park) approx. 45 minutes from Eltham.

The planned walk is made up of 2 interconnected loops totalling 7.5km. It is rated as medium due to a significant hill climb to a trig point.  There are, however, a number of other tracks in the first loop which are flatter and would be rated as easy and could make a shorter walk for those who prefer.  The walk is through bushland mostly on wide tracks.  Those who climb to the trig point will be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the city, the bay and the Dandenongs.

Date: 19 August

Length/Time: 2.5 hours or could be shorter if an easier route is taken

Level of difficulty:  Easy or Medium

8.45am Car-pooling at Eltham Lower Park

Timetable:

Start time for walk: 9.30am

There is no convenient place to have coffee before the walk. BYO or have it at breakfast!

Lunch– Bring your own to eat at the attractive picnic ground.  There is a largish shelter.

Dandenong town centre is not far away and participants may like to take the opportunity to have a wander around this multicultural precinct after the walk. The lively Dandenong market is open until 4pm

Contribution to driver: $5

How to reach the National Park: The most efficient route is via East Link, exiting at Wellington Rd – 5-10 minutes from there to the entrance to the National Park.  (Mel 82 C11) The park is not scheduled to open for vehicles until 10.30.  If not open there is a carpark on the right just before the entrance.  If it is open we will meet at the picnic ground.

Let us know by Wednesday 16th if you intend to come, so that we can arrange car pooling.