Work is soon to begin on a project to determine how Victoria should manage the largest ever environmental protection initiative it has seen, involving 96,000 hectares of forests protected from timber harvesting in favour of recreation and tourism.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio said the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) would undertake a scientific assessment of environmental, biodiversity and other values in areas identified as Immediate Protection Areas (IPA).
“Immediate Protection Areas contain very special native plants and animals and rich ecosystems, so it’s vital to determine how best to protect them for future generations, while ensuring Victorians can enjoy the many experiences our forests provide,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“The IPAs are located in Mirboo North, Strathbogie Ranges, Central Highlands and East Gippsland,” she said.
“This assessment will be made available to the public and will provide advice on appropriate land tenure for the IPAs,” she said.
Ms D’Ambrosio said community consultation would be undertaken by the newly established Eminent Panel for Community Engagement, which was to work alongside the VEAC and provide recommendations and a timeline for Government to reclassify each of the IPAs.
The Minister said the Panel would engage with Victorians to understand community views and values, including working closely with Traditional Owners who were to have formal membership on the Panel.
“The Panel will consult with the community to seek their views on VEAC’s final Assessment of the IPAs in Mirboo North and Strathbogie Ranges starting later this year, while consultation on the VEAC’s Assessment of the IPAs in the Central Highlands and East Gippsland will take place over a longer period starting in 2022,” she said.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the Panel was expected to present its report and recommendations to Government on the Mirboo North and Strathbogie Ranges IPAs in early to mid-2022, and its Report on remaining IPAs towards the end of next year.