Today the Victorian government announced an end to native timber harvesting in 2024.

This was previously scheduled to be wound down by 2030.

As a result of this significant change, the government has committed to establishing an advisory panel to consider and make recommendations on the areas of previously harvested forest that qualify for:

• National Parks,
• Are suitable for recreation opportunities such as camping and hunting and,
• Opportunities for management of public land by Traditional Owners.

The shift in land tenure to National Parks will likely negatively affect deer hunting with a hound or gun dog.

The ADA has already raised these concerns with several departments and will continue to advocate to ensure that any fallout from the ending of native timber harvesting does not have an adverse effect on recreational deer hunting and public land access.