December 7th, 2024Five years on and still no Wombat bill
Wombat Forestcare convenor Gayle Osborne says the community is angered by the failure of the State Government to introduce the bill to create the new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park as promised.
Ms Osborne, pictured below, said members and supporters of Wombat Forestcare had been assured in letters from the Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas that the bill to create the Wombat-Lerderderg and Mount Buangor National Parks would be introduced to the Victorian Parliament this year.
“However, Thursday was the last sitting day for the year and the government failed to present the bill. We are devastated that the parks have not been legislated as promised,” she said.
The promised national park would have conserved 24,000 hectares of the Wombat Forest for its amazing animals, plants and fungi and for future generations to enjoy.
“National Parks are the cornerstone of species conservation in Australia and are greatly enjoyed by the general public as places to visit and engage with nature.
“The Wombat Forest provides habitat for so many wonderful creatures including the magnificent greater glider.
“The forest is also home to the critically endangered wombat leafless bossiaea. There are only five known plants in the wild and they are all in the Wombat Forest. “Powerful owls, listed as vulnerable, successfully breed in the Wombat Forest.
“This is a great indicator of forest health as the owls need a steady supply of food such as ringtail possums to sustain themselves and their chicks. It is incumbent on the state government to ensure that these and other threatened species are not reduced in numbers in our region.”
Ms Osborne said it was over five years since the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council released its Central West Investigation report and more than three since the government promised to create three new national parks. The delay in protecting these environmentally important forests is inexplicable, she said.
A state government spokesperson said legislation to create the first two national parks, Wombat-Lerderderg National Park and Mount Buangor National Park, was expected to be introduced to Parliament in early 2025.
“Existing recreational activities will be able to continue in the new national parks – including hunting, camping, walking dogs, hiking, bush walking, four-wheel driving, BMX and more.
“We want as many Victorians as possible to enjoy the great outdoors with access to a wide range of recreational opportunities, while also making sure we protect what we all love about the bush.”
Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Sandy Scheltema
