The Liberals and Nationals strongly oppose the Allan Labor Government’s move to create more national parks, locking out long-term bush users.
Labor is forging ahead with plans to convert state forests in central west Victoria to national parks, today introducing legislation into Parliament.
The proposed new national parks – Wombat-Lerderderg, Mt Buangor and Pyrenees – will cover more than 65,000 hectares and lock out bush users such as gold prospectors and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts.
Anger has been building among bush user groups for some time, with more than 40,000 signatures collected in a petition against more national parks.
Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, said long-time users would be unfairly excluded.
“The Liberals and Nationals support the ongoing access to public land. We do not support the formation of more national parks,” Ms Bath said.
Firewood collectors, horse riders, trail bike riders, campers and dog walkers are other users impacted by the looming formation of new national parks.
The Bill introduced by Labor extends the areas where deer hunting is legal in national parks, which the Liberals and Nationals support, but at the same time locks out other users.
“This is creating division. Labor is allowing more access with one hand and taking away with the other,” Ms Bath said.
“This is pitting bush users against each other.
“We will always defend the rights of bush user groups who have been so strong in their opposition. A petition with 40,000 signatures says it all.”
