A DRAFT report is proposing the adoption of a State Emblems Conservation Area to save endangered species in the Yarra Ranges.
It also proposes a multi-agency approach by joining the relevant government agencies to co-operatively manage more than 3000 hectares of public land east of the Dandenong Ranges and south of the Yarra Valley.
One year after the investigation was announced, the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) has brought out its Yellingbo Investigation draft proposals paper for the public to comment on, before it is finalised in July next year.
The draft paper is part of a two-year investigation requested by Environment Minister Ryan Smith.
It required VEAC to look at the biodiversity and ecological values of public land with the Yellingbo area and make recommendations on how to manage, conserve and enhance these values.
VEAC chairperson Phil Honeywood, who announced the release of the draft paper at Yellingbo on Wednesday 5 December, said governance had been one of the main problems that also set the area back in terms of funding.
“This model proposes a formal agreement between Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Zoos Victoria and Yarra Ranges Council, with a management committee comprising representatives of these agencies,” he said.
“One of the main issues was obtaining resources … this community misses out on a lot of funding because it’s all fragmented, so this group can now come together and apply as one.”
He said community groups and environmental “friends” groups would also take part on a reference committee to help with the strategic direction and oversight of the land management.
“We recognise that we’ve got some really precious areas that are in pockets and we can give value and clarity to that,” he said.
“But we also need to make sure people are aware they can see the endangered species in Healesville Sanctuary without disturbing the threatened species’ natural habitat.”
Mr Honeywood said the community had made a huge effort over many decades and saved these species from extinction.
“But if we are to see them recover and increase in numbers, we now need to find innovative and effective new ways to manage the limited amount of public land in this area,” he said.
“That is what the draft proposals are about.”
Gembrook MP Brad Battin, who announced the investigation in September 2011, said it was fantastic to see the work being done by Mr Honeywood and his team.
“We appreciate the amount of consultation that went into it and appreciate the amount of people in the community who have already put in submissions,” he said.
“We have to make sure we protect the areas that need protecting.”
The habitat covers the Woori Yallock, Emerald, Sassafras, Menzies and Cockatoo creeks, and the State Emblems Conservation Area would link the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Kurth Kiln Regional Park, Warramate Hills Nature Conservation Reserve and Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.
VEAC will be holding community forums in the Yarra Valley region during February and submissions are welcome until March 2013.
More information about the Yellingbo Investigation and copies of the draft proposals paper are available online at www.veac.vic.gov.au or on 1800 134 803.
