Thursday, 14 August 2025

Gunbower National Park

Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:36): (1012) My question today is for the minister representing the Minister for Water. Last week I met with the Central Murray Environmental Floodplains Group to hear their concerns regarding the environmental flooding in the Gunbower state forest. Members of the CMEFG spoke of the loss of the understorey of the dying old-growth black box trees, the endangered grey box trees and wattles, and dwindling fish numbers in the Gunbower Creek. They are of the belief that this is being caused by the environmental flooding. The upper and midsections of the forest have been flooded eight times in 10 years. Is the minister aware of the damage being done to the Gunbower state forest by frequent unnecessary environmental flooding?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:37): I thank Ms Tyrrell for her question, and I will pass that on to the Minister for Water for a written response in accordance with the standing orders.

Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:37): I thank the minister for her reply. My constituents feel as though their concerns regarding the health of the Gunbower forest are being unheard as their questions are being left unanswered by the North Central Catchment Management Authority and DEECA. Will the minister accept my invitation to accompany me and members of the Central Murray Environmental Floodplains Group to the Gunbower forest to hear their concerns, as well as see the damage for herself?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:37): I would be very happy to also refer your supplementary question to the Minister for Water for a reply.