29/04/2024
In 2021, the Victorian government established the Eminent Panel (The Panel) for Community Engagement to recommend the future use of state forests and immediate protection areas within the central highlands. This includes over 390,000 hectares of state forest and 50,000 hectares of immediate protection areas.
Part of this process involved The Panel hosting community workshops to help make recommendations regarding future use.
This sits alongside the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council's (VEAC) assessment of the values of the state forest in the central highlands.
Neither The Panel nor VEAC's assessments or recommendations are binding on the Minister for Environment.
Recently, local engagements have become a flash point for conversation on social media, with fear of being locked out a hot topic & understandably so.
What is important to note for public land users is that these engagements and assessments are only a small part of a much larger body of work surrounding the future use of the central highlands.
The Australian Deer Association has long been in conversations with the government on land tenure and the consequences of any change.
As a result of this ongoing advocacy work, the government created the Great Outdoors Taskforce, which is charged with investigating ways to encourage more Victorians to explore the great outdoors, protect biodiversity, and create recreational opportunities.
The task force will consult with communities and stakeholders, such as the Australian Deer Association, to ensure future uses and care of the forest are heard and explored.
In particular, hunting has been highlighted as an area where opportunities exist.
This is only the result of significant advocacy work, and while it's a great step forward, there is still a lot of work to do.
To make a difference in the ongoing future of public land, join the Australian Deer Association today.
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