News & Information

Otways National Park Recommendations Released

5 December 2004

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) has recommended a major new National Park of over 100,000 hectares for the Otways region, the Minister for the Environment, John Thwaites, announced today.

Mr Thwaites said VEAC's recommendations from its Angahook-Otway Investigation included a 102,470 hectare Otway Ranges National Park, which would become Victoria's sixth-largest National Park.

"The proposals recommend the Park would be slightly larger, about 4000 hectares, than in the draft proposals launched by the Premier Steve Bracks in May," Mr Thwaites said.

"The formation of a comprehensive Otways National Park will fulfil a key election commitment from the Bracks Government and secure this magnificent environment for Victoria.

"The proposed park is about nine times bigger than the existing National Park and will be complemented by adjoining areas of Forest Park."

The large Otway Ranges National Park would combine the existing Otway National Park, the Angahook-Lorne, Carlisle and Melba Gully State Parks with tracts of former state forest.

VEAC has also recommended a new 39,265 hectare Forest Park for recreational use, limited resource use and a strong emphasis on protecting natural values.

The recommended Forest Park would be similar to existing state forest, but with less focus on commercial use in line with the Government's phase-out of logging by 2008.

"A single, large national park in the Otways will give the highest level of protection for the very beauty of the Otways that make it such a popular destination - the old-growth forest, lush rainforest, waterfalls, tall trees and rare and threatened species," Mr Thwaites said.

"The Otway Forest Park will be available for horseriding, dog-walking and four wheel driving, as well as nature conservation and minor resource use like firewood collection.

Mr Thwaites said VEAC's now-completed Angahook-Otway Investigation meant the Government was just one step away from securing the future of the Otways.

Mr Thwaites thanked both VEAC and the community who had helped shape the recommendations with over 1800 submissions received during the investigation.

"There have been dozens of changes made since VEAC's draft proposals were published in May this year - mostly in response to submissions and community views.

"An important addition to the draft proposals put forward by VEAC in May would be the establishment of advisory committees to work with and inform the public on land use in the region on an on-going basis.

"Other changes in the proposals made since May relate to the specific boundaries of the Parks.

"Despite some different views on exactly how we will preserve this amazing environment, Victorians generally want the same thing for the Otways. Everyone wants the tall forests, rainforests, coastal heathlands, surf beaches and world-class tourism facilities that we enjoy today to be enjoyed in the future."

Mr Duncan Malcolm, chair of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, said that VEAC had developed recommendations in close consultation with the community and particularly from the local area.

"The new National Park will preserve the beauty for which the Otways is so popular but our recommendations will also benefit local residents, business and commercial industry - including the region's thriving tourism industry," Mr Malcolm said.

Mr Thwaites said the Government would respond to VEAC's recommendations over coming months.

Source: Media release from the Minister for Environment