Uncertainty remains as to whether long-standing plans for a new Great Forest National Park (GFNP) in Victoria’s Central Highlands have officially been shelved, despite a recent proclamation by Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos that the state government does not support the proposal.
Mr Dimopoulos ruled out legislating the park in an address to union delegates at a conference last week, with the backflip drawing fierce criticism from environmental groups that have campaigned for more than a decade on the plan.
The move however has been celebrated by hunters and outdoor hobbyists, with members of the opposition now calling on the state government for a commitment that there will be no GFNP under Labor.
Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath called on Mr Dimopoulos to clarify this on public record.
“With over 40,000 Victorians signing our petition calling for no new national parks, it's time Labor confirmed its position,” Ms Bath said.
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“Victorians deserve transparency—not more locked-up, neglected public land.”
The petition was the largest in Legislative Council history indicative of strong negative sentiment against the proposal, with bush users concerned as to how legislation would impact their access to and enjoyment of public land.
In addition to the petition, rallies were also held at various locations across the state, with the Mansfield Botanics and Woods Point both hosting protests in 2024.
The Great Forest National Park was proposed to cover from Kinglake to Lake Eildon and Healesville to Mt Baw Baw, with groups who would have been affected by the legislation including those involved in dispersed camping, hunting, four-wheel driving, hiking, horse-riding, mountain biking, prospecting and fishing.
"These activities fuel regional economies and support mental well-being,” said Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland who has campaigned against the proposal.
Woods Point resident and former CFA captain Tony Rugys has been another vocal opponent of the park highlighting the potential impact on the isolated township.
His concerns centre around the management of wild dogs and the loss of essential services and activities, saying that aerial culling and not removing but leaving carcasses has seen a huge increase in the wild dog population.
Mr Rugys also mentioned potential issues with the coordination between different agencies, bushfire mitigation, and the ability to collect firewood.
“Parks Victoria don’t talk to DEECA; they don’t tell each other what they’re doing,” he said.
“Locking up the area as a national park means DEECA can’t maintain fire breaks.”
With electricity supply unreliable in the region and the community reliant on firewood during winter for heating, Mr Rugys said that changing surrounding state forest (which has designated firewood collection areas) to national park (which does not) would also significantly affect residents.
Mr Rugys also warned about the broader implications of the national park designation.
"It not only means no firewood, but no seasonal hunting, fishing, four-wheel driving, and camping only permitted in designated areas,” he said.
Mr Rugys believes the proposal would significantly impact the ongoing viability of small townships like Woods Point.
However, Victorian National Parks Association Parks and Nature Campaigner Jordan Crook said more Victorians visit national parks than they do state parks.
“National parks don’t just protect nature – they’re overwhelmingly popular and provide fair, accessible and equitable access to the bush for all Victorians,” Mr Crook said.
“These bizarre attacks overturn decades of Victorian policy and put us out of step with both national and international conservation approaches.”
The Minister’s remarks pre-empt two major government-commissioned reports: a 2023 ecological assessment that found the Central Highlands forest worthy of national park protection, and the findings of an Eminent Panel for Community Engagement initiated in 2021 but yet to report publicly.
