Four Wheel Drive Victoria has received the following update from Parks Victoria
Thank you to the thousands of people who provided feedback
on the Draft Greater Gariwerd Landscape Management Plan. This email provides information about how the plan is progressing.
Community and stakeholder feedback
Parks Victoria received more than 2,500 submissions during the 10-week consultation period with valuable and detailed feedback provided. These submissions will help to inform the final plan.
We have summarised this feedback into a consultation summary report that is being independently reviewed and will be publicly released before the plan is finalised.
Some of the major themes that arose during consultation were:
• Protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage, enhanced education and story-telling opportunities
• Using Traditional Owner names for places
• Rock climbing opportunities through the landscape
• How camping is offered in Gariwerd
• Fire management and burning regimes
• Concern about the proposed research into the effects of re-introducing dingos into the landscape.
We are considering feedback against each topic and, alongside other research and relevant legislation, making appropriate changes to the plan.
Parks Victoria and the Gariwerd Traditional Owner communities met three times over the past few months to discuss the plan. These sessions were in addition to the ongoing partnership arrangement Parks Victoria has with Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Parks Victoria and Traditional Owners have also completed assessments of possible bouldering areas as they were not identified in the draft plan.
Finalising the plan
The final plan is being prepared now. It will then be reviewed and approved by the Boards of Parks Victoria, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
It will then be sent to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change before being released.
We are committed to finalising the plan in 2021.
Background
Developed by Parks Victoria, Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation following community consultation, the draft plan outlined proposed initiatives for the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and some other nearby parks and reserves. These included environmental conservation, cultural heritage protection, fire and emergency management, public safety, recreation, visitation, and tourism.
The draft plan set management goals to celebrate the Gariwerd cultural landscape, safeguard and restore its unique natural values and provide sustainable opportunities for a range of activities.
