Tuesday, 7 May 2024

State forest access

Wayne FARNHAM (Narracan) (14:24): I rise today to talk about the Central Highlands state forests and the lack of consultation by Engage Victoria with my community. What they do not realise is that if they decide to lock down the bush in my area, these regional communities will suffer greatly. At the moment we enjoy activities like prospecting, horseriding, hiking, four-wheel driving, motorbiking, fishing, camping and whatever other outdoor activities you can think of – hunting et ‍cetera. The problem is they have not consulted properly. They did not consult properly, not even an ad in the local paper, and they were stunned when word got out and 300 people turned up to the meeting in Drouin. Not only have regional Victoria lost native timber into their local economy, if they lose this, these local economies will die – at places like Noojee, where motorbike riders go; Walhalla; Willow Grove; and on and on, right up to Erica and all over my region. It affects the whole region. We have lost native timber. That has put a dint in our economy. The only thing we have now is tourism, and if they shut these parks down we will lose that as well and these local economies will die. It is not good enough by this government. They said they were going to govern for all Victorians. Do what you said you were going to do.