2015-10-20
I recently had the pleasure of attending a Yarra Ranges Shire Council meeting. My interest in going back to my old haunt was to listen to the debate on the commissioning of a report on the Great Forest National Park in relation to the Yarra Ranges. I particularly noted the interest of Yarra Ranges councillor Jim Child, who seems to be an avid reader of Hansard, particularly in relation to the Great Forest National Park. That council meeting certainly provided ample opportunity for councillors to air various conspiracy theories along the way. It seemed as if the Great Forest National Park was a plot by the Greens, a plot by The Wilderness Society and a plot by a group called My Forest — which even I have not heard of — so I thought I would correct the public record in relation to that.
There seems to be an impression that a national park locks up land, but nothing could be further from the truth. What is being considered in relation to the Great Forest National Park is providing fishing, boating, four‑wheel driving, camping, cycling, horseriding, abseiling and hang‑gliding, which I certainly do not think lock up public land. It is utilising land to the best of our ability and, through that, underpinning local economies. I commend the council for approving a motion to proceed with that report.