Constituency questions
Warrandyte electorate
Mr R SMITH (Warrandyte) (11:42): (1356) My question is to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. I have written to the CEO of Parks Victoria, Matthew Jackson, with regard to the former gold mines in the Warrandyte State Park. With nine weeks having passed since my initial letter, I am yet to receive a response. The Warrandyte Historical Society have raised their concerns with me that the former mines in the state park have been closed, depriving the public and school groups of the opportunity to visit the sites where some of the first gold was discovered in Victoria. These mines are a unique part of not only Warrandyte’s history but also Victoria’s. I ask the Minister to have Parks Victoria outline and give details of future plans for the mines—whether they intend to have the mines reopened to the public or have the introduction of formalised tours for the public and students.