Wednesday, 8 February 2023

 Emma KEALY (Lowan) (14:44): (3) My question is for the Minister for Environment, and the information I seek is: when will the decision be made to hand management of the Peter Francis Points Arboretum in Coleraine back to a local committee of management? The management of the Points arboretum was shifted across to Parks Victoria some years ago. It houses the largest collection of Australian natives in the world. It is a fabulous place to go, and I recommend if you are in the south-west of the state you do drop by and have a look. However, while it was pristine under a local committee of management, since Parks have been allocated that responsibility – with no resources allocated at all – it has significantly deteriorated, and many locals are now embarrassed by the Points. There were meetings late last year between the Points association, who do a fabulous job – they are very much engaged and want to continue to manage this great asset for all Australians – and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, as it was then known. There was a commitment and an agreement that the management will be handed over. (Time expired)