The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) is looking to reclassify the Central Highlands State Forest into the proposed Great Forest National Park.
Nationals Member for Northern Victoria, Gaelle Broad, says access to local forests is already frustrating and confusing.
“I live near national and state forests. On one side of the road in the state forest, people can go horse
riding and walk their dogs. On the other side of the road in the national park, you can be fined.”
A state forest isn’t a declared protected area in the same way a national park is. A state forest is land that’s been set aside either for environmental conservation and recreation, timber production, or sometimes both. Some state forests have campgrounds and walking trails for public use.
As a national park’s primary purpose is to conserve and protect the environment, history, culture, flora and fauna. Not all outdoor activities are permitted in National Parks with any campgrounds, walking trails, or other official activities, specifically and carefully created with the surrounding nature in mind.
The state forest is 389,725 ha and is situated on the Country of the Wurundjeri, Taungurung, Bunurong and Gunaikurnai peoples.
Broad is calling on the State Government to commit to maintaining public access to bushland and parks.
Broad says access to local forests is already frustrating and confusing.
“I live near national and state forests. On one side of the road in the state forest, people can go horse
riding and walk their dogs. On the other side of the road in the national park, you can be fined.”
Broad urges Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos to listen to locals who want to see public land remain open and accessible.
“On behalf of all those who have raised this issue with me, I ask the Minister to commit to
maintaining public access in these parks, to ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy Victoria’s
Great Outdoors,” Broad said.
Public submissions to the Eminent Panel regarding the Central Highlands have recently closed, and
VEAC is expected to provide a final report by 31 July 2024.
Broad urges local bush users to sign a parliamentary e-petition opposing any potential closure of public access to Victorian state forests.
The petition calls on the government to guarantee no new national parks will be set up, and that
traditional recreational activities will continue.
Key Features of The Central Highlands State Forests:
- Almost 400 threatened plant and animal species including Leadbeater’s possum, sooty owl, Baw Baw frog and southern greater glider.
- Supports the world’s tallest flowering plants, the mountain ash, which is important nationally and internationally. Only a few small pockets remain else where in Victoria and in Tasmania
- Faces multiple threats from climate change, changed fire regimes, loss and fragmentation of habitat, and human use pressures.
- Significant source of fresh water for Victoria, with head waters of many important rivers including the Yarra, Latrobe, Thomson and Goulburn. Much of Melbourne’s high quality drinking water comes from this area.
