Wednesday, 10 September 2025

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (09:34): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Carlton (Recreation Ground) Land Act 1966, the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, the Forests Act 1958, the Great Ocean Road and Environs Protection Act 2020, the Heritage Rivers Act 1992, the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990, the National Parks Act 1975 and the St. Kilda Land Act 1965 and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

 Brad ROWSWELL (Sandringham) (09:35): I request a brief explanation of the bill.

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (09:35): The bill seeks to implement several government commitments in relation to public land, creating new parks in central-west Victoria and West Gippsland, as well as making a range of miscellaneous amendments to several land-related acts. The bill will also provide opportunities for seasonal recreational deer hunting by stalking in parts of the three new central-west national parks and the existing Errinundra and Snowy River national parks for East Gippsland. The bill will also support the granting of Aboriginal title over several parks in accordance with two recognition and settlement agreements under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 by creating Wandong Regional Park under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and updating the plans defining the boundaries of several existing parks under the National Parks Act 1975.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.