Member for Northern Victoria Region Daniel Young is calling for a five-year moratorium on the establishment of the Great Forest National Park.
The proposal would encompass more than 355,000 hectares of land from Eildon to Healesville to Woods Point.
“I am not convinced due considerations are being given to a national park proposal of this magnitude,” the Shooters and Fishers Party MP said in Victoria Parliament on Wednesday.
“I have concerns Parks Victoria is not adequately resourced to face the challenges of maintaining new park land. And I do not believe enough consultation is being conducted with all affected stakeholders, raising concerns the Great Forest National Park would exclude use currently enjoyed by Victorians and visitors to the area.
“Shooters, fishers, other recreational users and importantly local industries need to be protected from these ideologically driven parks until such time as the dynamics of a National Park change to accommodate them properly.”
An industry taskforce – comprising forest, fibre and wood products industry, unions and forest conservation groups – was established last year to deliver recommendations to the Victorian Premier’s office by the end of June 2016.
The group was directed to “reach common ground on a durable, long-term set of recommendations and proposals to government, about future issues facing the industry, job protection, economic activity, protection of our unique native flora and fauna and threatened species, such as the Leadbeater’s possum”.
Following the very quiet release of the terms of reference last year, SSAA Victoria understands the industry taskforce has been unable to select a chair.
Should the taskforce reach agreement on the proposal, there is still a major hurdle ahead. To create a new national park, the National Parks act must be changed. This would require support from the Upper House MPS.
Despite the lack of movement from the industry taskforce, Daniel is calling for the five-year moratorium to be introduced until:
- An investigation is undertaken to determine whether Parks Victoria is capable of managing a park of this type given that recent budget cuts have had a negative impact on the management of already established National Parks and other public land
- It can be proved that the proposal for the Great Forest National Park does not negatively impact access or use of land to any user group or stakeholder
- The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) can adequately prove that appropriate fire management can still take place in these areas
- The DELWP can adequately prove that appropriate pest management can still take place in these areas