Mornington Peninsula Shire has postponed the opening of this year’s foreshore camping season in the wake of the Stage 4 COVID-19 lockdown “to ensure the health and safety of all Victorians”.

Pre-peak season camping, which had been scheduled to begin on October 23, will not proceed and the season will now start no earlier than December 19. A decision on when exactly camping will be allowed will be made later this year.

“While we are disappointed the camping season has to be postponed, it is a necessary step to protect our community and do our part to flatten the curve of this pandemic,” the shire said in a statement.