Wombat plan to create a greater park divides users

We generate funding from generous members and supporters who share our vision for Victoria of a place with a diverse and healthy natural environment protected, respected and enjoyed by all. Like many community-based organisation, we receive government support, on average around 5% of our overall budget, only for specific citizen science projects.

With local partner groups such as Wombat Forestcare, scientists and land managers, VNPA has been active in the Wombat forest for more than a decade. Over five years, 200 volunteers from our NatureWatch program have contributed over 2,500 hours to monitor wildlife in Wombat State Forest, amassing highly valuable data on 13 native mammal species and 15 native bird species (including threatened species), as well information on feral animal numbers.

Public land such as Wombat State Forest belongs to all Victorians - both local as well as from across the whole state. The proposal to create new national and regional parks in the Wombat forest are welcome additions to the parks estate, and enjoy support from the broader community. State-wide polling of 1500 people carried out late last year showed over 70 % of people support new parks in central west Victoria around Daylesford.

VicForests, in their submission to VEAC, stated that "the Wombat State Forest could sustain an ongoing sawlog yield of over 10,000 cubic metres per annum." This would equate to approx. 3,500 large trees a year.

National parks protect forest from logging and mining and encourage the vast majority of recreational activities such as camping and bushwalking, while also being a key draw-card for visitors to regional areas to enjoy the bush and probably have a coffee and lunch on the way.

Matt Ruchel, Executive Director,VICTORIAN NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION

I was offended to read Mr Anderson's letter alleging that "it is selfish to deny users access to the forest they love". A more courteous discussion might consider the thousands of volunteer hours committed to obtaining scientific data about the plants, animals and fungi that make the Wombat their home...the same data that is used by DELWP to improve the management of the forest.

Some of this data is also utilised by Museums Victoria for ongoing scientific research. Without this undertaking by a small brigade of committed local volunteers, mature trees known to be home to threatened species including the greater glider and powerful would have been destroyed and a plant species unique to the Wombat forest could have been lost forever. These volunteers are not selfish, but are providing a valuable community service, gathering information to better inform management decisions and yes, many of them want to see the creatures and plants they have come to know and love given greater protection.

Users who love the forest and treat it with respect will not be denied access to the forest as suggested in Mr Anderson's letter. The VEAC final report in fact specifically makes provision for responsible horse riding, bike riding, four wheel driving, dog walking and other recreational activities, even in the proposed National Park areas. Is it possible that there is more common ground amongst those of us that love the forest than that which divides us?

Lynda Wilson, Drummond

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, (VEAC), has just released their final recommendations for what is called the "Central West Investigation". This covers public land west of Melbourne and includes the Wombat, Wellsford, Mount Cole and Pyrenees State Forests. I will focus on the Wombat State Forest and adjoining Lerderderg State Park that borders on and includes parts of the local Shires. In a nutshell the recommendation is to change status of majority of this forest area to a combined National Park. The Wombat Forest has had a long history dating back to the gold rush days and in more recent times has been an area of commercial timber harvesting. This wholesale harvesting was stopped during the 1990's. Over the decades the Wombat has also been a refuge for release of day to day routine of living in the metropolitan areas and enjoy some form of recreational activity.

These activities include open and free camping with Family or Friends, Horse trail riding, Dog walking, Prospecting and fossicking, 4WD adventures, Trail Bike riding, orienteering groups, to name a few. Also this forest provides for domestic wood gathering that many rely on for heating during winter. Much of this will become illegal or be restricted heavily under National Park rulings. Access to the majority of the forest will be controlled by a so-called Management and only major gazetted tracks will be open. Camping will only be allowed in designated areas, determined by Management so you will pay a fee to enjoy a caravan park type environment, corralled into a fenced off area. Bush lovers want solitude and isolation when camping and this forest has provided this for decades being readily accessible from Melbourne City. The people who have enjoyed this freedom bring much needed business to the local communities, the lovely bakeries, hotels, small accommodation places and general traders and despite what VEAC states in the report that this will be a boom for locals, this has been proven false in areas where National Parks already exist. These areas do not enjoy increased passing trade, the existing National Parks have no funds for management, they are left to create major bushfire disasters, feral animal and weed infestation and causes issues when emergency vehicles find access to tracks are overgrown or blocked by fallen trees. Take the recent Gippsland fires for example.

The majority of Bush Lovers have respect for the flora and fauna. Some may think that those who love 4WD activities are just out there to crash the tracks and bush. They don't make new tracks but do help in keeping existing tracks clear. They also have irregular meets in the forest to clear dumped rubbish deposited by less caring people. I am not an adventurer with a 4WD, I and mates enjoy a camp annually in the Wombat but I respect the rights of those that have other recreational activities.

This report by VEAC is now locking out open and free access for people that enjoy the outdoors in a wonderful forest close to town. Twelve Months ago a group called the Prospectors and Mining Association of Victoria, (PMAV), created a Facebook page called Bush Users Groups United, (BUGU), to contest the draft recommendations of VEAC with the Central West Investigation. The members are from various outdoor interests, the group is self-funded and has created a groundswell of protest.

The VEAC group that head the Victorian Government funded organisation is made up of educated environmentalists who may not have enjoyed a rough it type of camp or other outdoor activities. BUGU wants to change the profile of this council and have a more balanced representation that reflects actual users of our beautiful Bush.

I am now in my 60's and enjoying nearly 50 years of camping in the Wombat State Forest, I want future Generations to enjoy the same freedom. Yes the Wombat may need some better care and management but under National Park status past history tells a sad story.

Stephen Smitham, Darley,