General News
12 December, 2024
Government extends offer on community opinions
The public will now have until February 14, 2025 to have their say on the draft management plan, that suggests closures of about half the climbs at Mount Arapiles.
There have been community meetings, gatherings on the steps of Parliament, petitions and coverage on A Current Affair - a Channel Nine show that engages nearly a million viewers each episode.
And on December 1, came an announcement - the Victorian government has extended the consultation period on the changes proposed, in order to have discussions after climbers and residents alike declared they had been left out of the process.
The plan, released in November, is an amendment to the original 1991 version.
It was released after archaeological and ecological surveys were carried out, but locals of Natimuk say without consultation from climbers and residents of the town.
But Victorian Climbing Club's Kevin Lindorff isn't convinced.
He said they have been told there can't be consultation on the cultural heritage, because of the heritage laws and this casts doubts over the point of any consultation and what it would include.
The decision was made following the sudden appointment of an interim new CEO of Parks Victoria, in Graeme Dear.
Former CEO Matthew Jackson stepped down after Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulous declared Parks Victoria's current operations need to be improved to meet community standards.
"I have therefore ordered a comprehensive review of Parks Victoria, to advise how the organisation can better serve the needs of Victorians and help them enjoy the great outdoors," Minister Dimopoulous said last week.