Muckleford campers safely away from Castlemaine Rifle Club, report

Mount Alexander Shire councillors will consider whether to allow works at the Muckleford campground on Tuesday.

Six people have objected to the works, which would include a new toilet block, picnic shelter, barbeques and other improvements in Walmer Forest Reserve.

Some are concerned that the campground is too close to the gun club.

More news: Victoria records 1302 new COVID-19 cases

It is less than 1.5km away and is already camped on, shire staff told councillors in a report ahead of Tuesday's meeting.

"The distance between the two land uses is considered to be sufficient to ensure that there are no safety risks, particularly as there is a road (Muckleford-Castlemaine Road) separating the two sites," they wrote.

"In relation to people wandering off the subject land and into the Castlemaine Rifle Club area, Council must assume that patrons to the land would not wander outside of the publicly accessible parts of the Walmer Forest Reserve especially as the Rifle Club is located south of Muckleford-Castlemaine Road."

The officers also ruled out any danger from lead poisoning at the campground and increases in litter.

"The works will not result in a loss of vegetation and are located within existing disturbed areas to reduce soil disturbance," they said.

The Environmental Protection Authority believed any contamination would be contained to the rifle club's firing area, and the council officers believed that bins that were part of the proposal would solve some existing rubbish issues.

More news: Bendigo celebrates Carols by Candlelight

Objectors have also raised concerns about potential rises in the amount of traffic driving through the area.

"The proposal does not seek to increase the size of the existing camp site, rather to provide facilities to the existing site to ensure environmental and amenity outcomes for the site and surrounds," shire officers said.

"Therefore, it is not expected that the proposal will result in additional traffic along Woodbrook Road and the wider road network."

The Department of Land, Water, Environment and Planning said it would keep the toilet block clean and that the risks from campfires starting bushfires could be managed.

Shire officers said soil erosion should be minimal but recommended councillors add an extra control to the planning permit as an extra precaution.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: