Labor is opening three new national parks in Victoria's central west, protecting the best of the bush and keeping it open for everyone to enjoy.
The parks were formally proclaimed today, giving them national park status:
- Wombat-Lerderderg National Park - spanning 44,000 hectares between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh, bringing together Lerderderg State Park and parts of Wombat State Forest.
- Mount Buangor National Park - covering more than 5,300 hectares near Beaufort, bringing together Mount Buangor State Park and parts of Mount Cole State Forest.
- Pyrenees National Park - covering 15,000 hectares north-west of Avoca, bringing together existing conservation reserves and parts of St Arnaud-Pyrenees State Forest.
The new national parks are part of more than 78,000 hectares of public land now under Parks Victoria's care.
The changes also create five new regional parks at Barkstead, Blackwood, Fingerpost, Spargo Creek and the Pyrenees.
Bendigo and Hepburn Regional Parks have been expanded, with three new conservation parks at Hepburn, Cobaw and Mirboo North.
Almost 30 nature and bushland reserves are also part of the changes.
The new parks protect important habitat for native wildlife, including the powerful owl, barking owl, swift parrot and southern greater glider.
They will also support tourism, recreation and jobs in regional communities.
Victorians can continue to bushwalk, camp, horse ride, four-wheel drive, walk dogs and fish in designated areas.
Seasonal deer hunting will also continue in designated areas of Wombat-Lerderderg and Pyrenees National Parks.
Only Labor will protect Victoria's bush so future generations can enjoy it too.
As stated by Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes
"We're protecting the best of Victoria's bush and keeping it open for everyone to enjoy."
"Protecting our great outdoors means more people visiting our regions, supporting local jobs, businesses and communities."
As stated by Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"Wombat-Lerderderg is a special part of our region - now it's protected for generations to come."
