The management and conservation of the Wombat State Forest is under scrutiny as a state government investigation into public land in the central west enters its final stages.
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But environmentalists and forest users remain divided on the forest’s future.
Conservationists who prioritise the value of native species and vegetation are calling for the state forest to be protected by national park status.
Forest users including four wheel drivers, prospectors, foresters, shooters and mountain bikers are advocating for protection status that ensures continued access to and use of the bush.
The discussion is driven by the Victorian Environment Assessment Council review into management and conservation of land including Wombat, Wellsford, Mount Cole and Pyrenees Range State Forests.
More than 600 members of the public made submissions to the VEAC in 2017.
The public input is being considered for a draft proposals paper, due to be released in July 2018. The second submissions period will begin in coming months.
The final report is due in March 2019 which will be followed by a state government response.
It will make recommendations for the balanced use and appropriate management of public land to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural values.
In a submission to the environment assessment council, the Victorian National Parks Association described the investigation as long overdue.
“The VNPA recognise Wombat, Wellsford, Pyrenees, Mt Cole/Beeripmo State Forest, as having high conservation value and worthy of protection under the national parks act.”
Wombat Forest has 350 native plant species and 290 native animal species, including 25 threatened plant species and 15 threatened animal species.
A Wombat Forestcare submission said the area’s high conservation values and native habitat and tourism benefits ‘far’ outweighed the ‘minor’ economic values of logging and firewood.
The group has long fought against logging and mining the 45,100 hectare forest.
An Institute of Foresters Victoria submission said the forest’s conservation values could be maintained while allowing multiple uses.
It said excluding timber and firewood harvesting would result in a loss of employment, loss of timber resources, and difficulty for the community to collect firewood.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
