2015-09-24
A new report released today shows Victoria would see significant economic and social benefits generated by the establishment of the proposed Great Forest National Park in Victoria’s Central Highlands.
Greens Spokesperson for Forests, Samantha Dunn MP says, “The government can no longer drag its feet, the benefits to the local communities and Victorians as a whole, far exceed the costs of propping up an unsustainable native timber industry”.
The proposed area of the park stretches from Kinglake through to Baw Baw and northeast up to Eildon. The Eco-tourism and other job opportunities would see a significant positive impact on employment and growth to local communities in regional Victoria.
“The first job of the Industry Task Force should be to acknowledge that there are limited jobs solely reliant on native timber and enormous potential for our state with the development of a Great Forest National Park”, Ms Dunn said.
“The government needs to let the Industry Task Force get on with the work of establishing how to secure new jobs for the state whilst transitioning old jobs into plantation timber or other opportunities,” Ms Dunn said.
Key facts from the report:
· The value of parks and the contribution of the tourism industry to the Victorian economy was estimated at $19.1 billion and generated over 200,000 jobs over the 2011-2012 period.
· Regional Victoria accounted for more than half of the total tourism jobs, supporting 109,000 people
· In a survey conducted in 2014 a total of 89% of Victorians support the park proposal.
· Non-quantifiable value of the proposed GFNP such as improved health and psychological wellbeing must also be considered
· Victoria had the lowest rate of overweight/obese persons at 60%
· The natural environment provides a low-cost preventative and corrective solution to dealing with certain health related issues.