By Oliver Winn
Local environment groups are concerned about the fate of the Wombat-Lerderderg national park after an anti-national parks petition was recently debated in the State Legislative Council.
A 40,000 signature-strong petition opposing the creation of any new national parks comes after the state government broke its promise to legislate the Wombat-Lerderderg national park by the end of 2024.
In a media release from Wombat Forestcare, convenor Gayle Osborne says the delay to establish the national park is “extremely frustrating” after having waited three and a half years since the state government’s announcement.
“Wombat Forestcare members and supporters, together with the Victorian National Parks Association, have campaigned for many years for the protection of our unique forest and its inhabitants,” Ms Osborne says.
Half way into 2025, the bill to create the Wombat-Lerderderg National Park and Mount Buangor National Park has yet to be legislated.
Nationals MP Melina Bath led the case against the national park with support from National MP for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad, claiming the park would restrict recreational activities.
But ALP MP for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh defended the proposal and said the establishment would guarantee Victoria’s fauna and flora the highest protections from destructive activities such as logging.
The proposed park would cover 24,000 hectares, protecting species such as the endangered Greater Glider and the vulnerable Powerful Owl.
“For more than the 14 years that Wombat Forestcare has campaigned for park status for our forest, so many people have attended protest events, written letters to politicians and supported the campaign in so many ways,” Ms Osborne said.
“The delay in protecting these environmentally important forests is inexplicable.”
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos MP was contacted for comment.
