Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has issued a “hands off” warning to the Allan Labor Government when it comes the recreational use of state forests, saying that the interests of bush user groups and outdoor hobbyists must be protected.
“The Victorian Government has disregarded the interests of bush user groups and traditional recreational activities such as hunting, 4-wheel driving, horse riding, trail-bike riding, camping, dog walking, and prospecting and fossicking,” Ms Cleeland said.
“These activities not only contribute to the revenue of rural towns and regional centres but also have a positive impact on people’s well-being.
“Restricting access to traditional recreational areas can have negative impacts on people’s mental and physical well-being, leading to increased presentations to hospitals and clinics.”
Ms Cleeland also expressed concerns over the maintenance of existing public land, saying department staff were primarily located in office buildings rather than spending enough time involved in the public spaces.
“The Department of Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Water (DEECA) has a majority of its workforce based in metropolitan Melbourne, which raises concerns about the neglect of public land,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The annual report indicates that 60 percent of DEECA staff are located in Metropolitan Melbourne, and only 11 percent are field officers.
“We need less suits and more boots.
“Neglecting public land leads to overgrown tracks, the proliferation of invasive weeds, and feral pests, which degrade the environment and pose a threat to vulnerable species.
“Locking up public forests increases the risk of bushfires coupled with the loss of experienced native timber harvesters and their specialist equipment, placing our regional communities and environment in greater peril.”
