Have Your Say About the Future of Victoria’s Central Highlands Forests

Victorians, this is your chance to support the proposed Great Forest National Park!

Engage Victoria has opened public consultation on the future uses of the Central Highlands State Forests – which are home to the world’s tallest flowering plant, the Mountain Ash, and one of Australia’s most endangered mammals, the Leadbeater’s possum.

The government has committed to engaging with communities, stakeholders, and Traditional Owners for feedback on future management of these forests – including balancing recreation and tourism, while also protecting the environment.

It’s an opportunity for Victorians to show their support for the proposed Great Forest National Park – which would link these state forests into one vast, protected national park.

‘We are asking Victorians to help us shape the government’s decision so that we can not only safeguard the habitats of endangered species and protect these critical forests, but also secure the water supply for the five million people of Melbourne, lower the risk of catastrophic bushfires, and boost tourism and employment for local areas’, said Sarah Rees, the Creative and Business Director of Great Forest National Park.

The endangered Leadbeater’s Possum

What is the Great Forest National Park?

The proposed Great Forest National Park will combine a number of individual national parks – and an additional 355,000 hectares of land – in Victoria’s Central Highlands.

In total, it will link 1.1 million hectares of forest and conservation reserves into one vast, enclosed and protected national park. This will protect the habitats of endangered species, lower the risk of bushfires, and safeguard against native logging.

The proposal has already been endorsed by the likes of David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, and Patagonia. Now there’s an opportunity to officially show your support as well, by recommending the Great Forest National Park in Engage Victoria’s public consultation.

A map of the proposed Great Forest National Park in Victoria

How can I have my say?

Engage Victoria currently has two surveys open for public submission – both of them are a chance for the public to give feedback on state forests in the Central Highlands region.

Survey questions include:

• What is important to you about this region?
• What are the experiences you have had there?
• How could this land be improved for the future?

Data collected from the public feedback will inform recommendations to the government for the future management of these state forests which are on the land of the Gunaikurnai, Taungurung, and Wurundjeri Nations.

Submissions were due to close this week but have now been extended to the 6th of May 2024 – so get in quick to have your say!

Logging at Thomson Dam

Images thanks to Chris Taylor & Great Forest National Park