Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Petitions

National parks

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) presented a petition bearing 11,974 signatures:

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the Allan Labor Government’s plan to create the Wombat-Lerderderg National Park near Daylesford, and the Mount Buangor National Park near Beaufort. This decision breaks a promise made by the Premier not to lock up Victoria’s public forests and shows disregard for bush user groups who have long enjoyed outdoor recreation activities in state forests. Communities are concerned that the proposal will mean areas of state park, forest and bush are no longer accessible, and users will be locked out from a range of activities. This could significantly impact user groups and hurt local economies by limiting tourism and visitor numbers to communities where these parks may be established. The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to not create Wombat-Lerderderg National Park or Mount Buangor National Park, and keep state forests open for public access and the enjoyment of traditional activities.

Wendy LOVELL: As this is a petition qualifying for debate under standing order 11.03(10), I give notice that I intend to move ‘That the petition be taken into consideration’ on Wednesday of next sitting week.