I had a phone call from Brian Letcher, Customer Services Manager, Goulburn Murray Water (GMW).
He has confirmed that Greens will be closed from 29 Dec to noon 01 Jan 2015 - completely - including campers.
The main gate at the highway will be closed and locked and consequently fire and emergency safety regulations mean no campers can remain at the Lake during that period with access restricted.
GMW have reluctantly taken this action. However, the emergency services personnel and local community groups have been concerned and fully support this action.
Apparently there were three "under-cover" police officers at Greens at last year's NYE and during the night were not only concerned for the safety of campers but also for their own safety. Of further concern is that many of the "young attendees" drove away from Greens in the morning after a night of very heavy drinking. All are very concerned of the potential for accidents, injury and/or death on the roads to not only those drivers but also the general public this presents.
Local farmers have also voiced their concern that should a fire get out of hand at Greens their crops would be under threat.
I have attached the Media Release from GMW for your information.
It would seem that Schoolies for Seniors could certainly be held as camping is allowed up to 29 Dec but then all would need to disperse to other places until after noon on 01 Jan 2015. Perhaps Schoolies for Seniors could resume from that time.
alledgedly 3, thats THREE undercover police witnessed drunkeness in a public place and DID NOTHING. where concerned for their and campers safety and DID NOTHING. were worried about drunken driving after the night and DID NOTHING. Gives me a warm feeling that they are monitoring the ill at ease.
alledgedly 3, thats THREE undercover police witnessed drunkeness in a public place and DID NOTHING. where concerned for their and campers safety and DID NOTHING. were worried about drunken driving after the night and DID NOTHING. Gives me a warm feeling that they are monitoring the ill at ease.
Gday..
Uncertain what the point of your response is Glenn.
I am interested on the basis of your opinion that the attending police officers "did nothing". Am I to assume you were in attendance NYE 2013 and therefore voicing an opinion from actual experience? Given they were "under cover" how would it be determined whether they were involved or would havejust been observed as 'an ordinary' camper. It is reported that "over 400 people" were at Greens on NYE - and 3, that's THREE, officers "did nothing". Yeah, they certainly would have held the ascendency in a mob situation. I guess that is why they called for the back-up that arrived to arrest perpetrators.
Perhaps some of the many GNs from this forum who where there on the night last year may want to expand on your assessment.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
I believe that in Victoria we have a nanny state, that in many cases goes too far to protect people, thus I am a believer in the hands off approach from authorities.
Unfortunately in this case it has not worked, by staying out of the way, and letting people do what they wanted, a situation that is now perceived as dangerous has arisen, and now everyone who may have been looking forward to enjoying a few days at Greens over that time if being impacted.
I do not envy the authorities the task of keeping everything in order, it must be damned difficult to strike that balance that most people are happy with.
As someone who was at Greens on NYE I can't believe the beat up. One would think a riot took place. It was a quiet NYE with everyone I came across in a good mood. I found at the next morning a local youth had been in an altercation away from the main group.
As for the concerns regarding drunken drivers the next day did the local police lose the key to the breathalyser. I'm not worried about a nanny state, I'm more worried about the lack of action from police. I've stayed at Greens regularly on and off over 2 years. and I predict the gates will be locked at night and no camping allowed within the next 12 months. If not a price comparable to the National Parks fees will come into force.
Terru
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Towing a Chief Arrow with a Colorado LTZ (All by Myself)
It needs to be remembered though - Greens Lake is STILL available for camping ... the GN Schoolies for Seniors can begin any time from today ... except the need now to move on on 29 Dec.
Similarly, all can return on 01 Jan 2015 to continue the festivities. It is only for a couple of days that are affected.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
I spoke to the Campase Council today and NO one is allowed to stay at greens from 29/12/14 until 1/1/15.I even mentioned the grey nomads thats visit...still the same response NO Stay.
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Have a great day where ever you are. Happy Campers
ok if we can't stay at green's for that couple of day's has anyone got any idea's where we can go or at that time of year is it every man for himself but I hope not.
I don't know Greens or the area, but I wonder what would happen if there was a long line of RV's parked outside the gate (like they were waiting for the gates to open later) during this period whether they would be booked?
As with the others I will play it by ear but last year there was a mass exodus immediately after NYE. So if I have been there for the Christmas festivities it may be time to start my northern trek. Or more probably to link up with Richard (Jetski55) in Shepparton and see how the youngies celebrate NYE.
I have been to Greens to see the GN gang, but not at NYE, this will only make the rougnecks go to another place and cause trouble there, and in turn that place will be closed the following year and maybe Greens will then be opened again the year after, hmmmm just a wombat's view
What the emergency services are really worried about is an out of control fire.
I think they are also worried about the fact that they do not have enough police in the area to control the louts, but both yours and my posts are only part of the reason IMHO
I have spent christmas and new year at greens for the last 3 years and any trouble and 1 fire incident were caused by locals, so if we go anywhere else local for the 3days greens is closed we will still have to put up with locals behaving badly.There has not been much said about local parents dropping KIDS off at greens with their grog and no supervision this includes young girls
Well said Norma!!! (Shadyandme) - that is one of the worst things - to see dozens of young people, well under drinking age, carrying huge eskies full of grog down the road, after the parents drop them off at the main road entrance, is amazing. What are these parents thinking - a lot of these kids would only be 15 or 16!!!! And if, as has been stated, there were undercover cops at Greens last NYE - why weren't more people booked for underage drinking, and why wasn't a booze bus set up on the entry road (Greens Lake Road) to test EVERYONE who drove out next morning?
Personally, I thought, apart from the one major incident, last NYE was pretty tame.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Hi everyone,
the problem with greens is it's known to be secluded so some people think they can do whatever they want/ break the law where no one will notice. Problem is now local law enforcement and G.M Water have noticed and are trying to rectify the problem before it gets out of hand.
Well said Norma!!! (Shadyandme) - that is one of the worst things - to see dozens of young people, well under drinking age, carrying huge eskies full of grog down the road, after the parents drop them off at the main road entrance, is amazing. What are these parents thinking - a lot of these kids would only be 15 or 16!!!! And if, as has been stated, there were undercover cops at Greens last NYE - why weren't more people booked for underage drinking, and why wasn't a booze bus set up on the entry road (Greens Lake Road) to test EVERYONE who drove out next morning?
Personally, I thought, apart from the one major incident, last NYE was pretty tame.
If that is the Real Issue.. Then what they need to do is hold a Sting..
To do a few thing's...
1 - Book the KID's as they Walk in the door...
2 - Book the Kid's Parent's for supplying Alcohol to a Minor... [ Who is NOT supervised ] I think the fine is something Like $2 -5,000...
3 - confiscate All the Booze....
I think Once the words get's Out.. the Parent dropping the Kids off will stop... especially with the max fines being charged..
Juergen
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IF I say something Dumb.. Just Smack me..
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