VNPA Director, Amanda Martin said "the new park is required to save some of the last examples of endangered woodland types and threatened species, and would also be a boost for local communities"
"The new century provides an opportunity, perhaps the last one we'll have, to save some of the vital areas that remain - the Greater Glenelg National Park is the only sensible way forward". she continued.
The proposed park encompasses the Cobboboonee Forest and neighbouring public forests of the south, near Portland, and then stretches in a curve northwards to take in the significant public woodlands, heathlands and wetlands of the south west, right up through the west wimmera to Edenhope and Natimuk near the Little Desert National Park.
"The overriding fact about Western Victoria is that over 80% of its original vegetation cover is already cleared", said EV spokesperson, Geraldine Ryan. "Both flora and fauna face local, even total extinction, unless vital habitat is protected." She added that "given current figures, subsidised logging in the west for 20 years under the RFA, would do immense damage for very little economic return".
This great park will be outstanding for its variety of landscape, biodiversity and accessibility to the people.
It will be a fine complement to the local community initiatives such
as the Kowree and Greater Glenelg Biolinks.
The park would also create enormous opportunities to expand the south-west's
already valuable nature-based tourism industry and so provide long term
jobs in the region. Many parts are easily accessible - for walkers, tourists,
campers, drivers, botanists and for a host of other activities
The north-south crescent shaped area would feature tall Lowland Forest, Brown Stringybark woodlands, heathlands, unique wetlands, swamps and remnant grasslands - national, and even international treasures, becoming rarer by the day To the east and to the west of this park are heavily cleared areas both in South Australia and Victoria.
"The forest areas proposed for the new park represent the most western population distributions for the endangered Powerful Owl and the threatened Yellow-bellied Glider as well as other species. Forest ecosystems such as Lowland Forest are at their most westerly extent."
Richard Hill of Birds Australia said "the long term survival prospects for the nationally endangered south eastern form of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo population would be greatly enhanced by the creation of such a park."
The upcoming Regional Forest Agreement presents a choice for Victorians: continue to damage the remaining native systems or take the bold initiative of listening to the experts who recommend larger parks for the health of our land, and the human activities it supports.
The Park will be about the same size as the very popular Grampians National Park.
It is as if the Lower Glenelg National Park, as its name suggests, has been waiting to be completed by the addition of the Glenelg's northern reaches. There is no better time than the beginning of a new century to take such a positive step for future generations in creating a GREATER GLENELG NATIONAL PARK
For more information:
Geraldine Ryan EV Ph 93489044
M 0428833985
Amanda Martin VNPA Ph 96508296 M 0418357813
Edenhope Field Naturalists Club
Casterton Field Naturalists Club
Friends of the Mt ArapilesTooan SP
Stawell & District Conservation Group;
South West Environment Action Group
Urimbirra Cooperative Society