The Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC) has recently released their Central West Investigation Draft Proposal Report. The draft recommendations for the Wombat Forest and other areas are to be commended.

Draft recommendations in our area include a new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park, a new Wombat Regional Park (including Trentham to Blackwood and the east section of the Wombat around Woodend), a new Cobaw Conservation Park, and a new Black Forest Nature Reserve along the Calder Freeway.

The good news is that this means the Wombat Forest would be permanently protected from potential logging and mining and other impacts. If the Wombat Forest is not protected by a combination of parks, logging will resume.

There are a few things you can do to show your support: 

1- Attend the VEAC drop in session today (Monday 10th September) to ask questions or let them know how you feel about it. It is on from 3-7pm at the Woodend Community Centre (cnr High and Forest St). Another session will be held in Daylesford on Thursday 13 September: 3pm-7pm, Daylesford Football Ground, Victoria Park, Ballan Rd Daylesford.

2 – Have a look at the proposal and write a submission (response) by the 31st of October. This could be as simple as saying “We love the Wombat State Forest and would love to see it have a higher level of protection.”

3 – Email Mary-Anne Thomas to show your support for the VEAC draft recommendations.

This will potentially be a very significant issue for our area (and an election issue) so your input would most definitely be of value.

See http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/investigation/central-west-investigation for more information.