By Callum Ludwig
Environmental groups who were largely concerned about the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination have weighed in on the decision that has arrived on the project from Minister for Planning Lizzie Blandthorn.
Both the Warburton Environment Group and the Victorian National Parks Association were heavily involved in the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process and the deliberation around the project in the leadup to the decision.
President of Warburton Environment Nic Fox said the group is not surprised by Planning Minister Lizzie Blandthorn’s assessment.
“The main proposed trails in the Yarra Ranges National Park are not approved. Furthermore, the Minister writes, ‘It is my assessment that the majority of the trails and other works proposed for the project can proceed with acceptable environmental effects”’. This does not mean they are approved,” she said.
“There are many conditions for the approval of the remaining proposal. Major plans to be produced prior to the commencement of construction.”
The conditions include an Emergency Management Plan with a bushfire management strategy and additional consultation requirements (Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, SES and DELWP as well as the CFA, land managers and local volunteer organisations including the Warburton Emergency Planning Group).
Ms Fox said medical services will also have to be part of the discussion at a community and municipal level and a Traffic Management Plan with broader community consultation.
“After the long weekend we’ve just had, with severe weather including increased rainfall and power outages, a landslip forcing the closure of the Warburton Highway, and the alternate proposed shuttle bus road not managing the increased traffic, Warburton Environment has major reservations that these conditions can be successfully met.”
The VNPA was largely positive about the decision, considering it ‘a win for conservation’ given the impact rejected trails would have had on the Cool Temperate Rainforest and Mt Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly.
VNPA’s parks protection spokesman Jordan Crook said the VNPA welcomes to decision to knock trails 1, 45, 46 and 47 out of the Yarra Ranges National Park.
“We advocate for Victoria’s wonderful natural environment and a lot of those areas within our national parks. We need to look after our parks and not turn them into theme parks that destroy environments and to protect not kill and scare off our wildlife,” he said.
“Some of the tracks were allowed to go ahead within the National Park and the [Yarra Ranges] Council needs to do further work to reduce the risks of those tracks. 1, 45, 46 and 27 were the most destructive tracks, however, so it was a good decision.
Tracks that have been approved in the park will be subject to further assessment under the National Parks Act. Other measures have also been recommended to protect the park and threatened plants and animals, including no-go zones for identified Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly habitat.
Mr Crook said well done to the many people who made submissions to stand up for the national park.
“The results of the EES assessment are a timely recognition of the importance of our national parks. A lot of time and effort was put in to assess aspects of the project that really, shouldn’t have got that far,” he said.
“It highlights the need for early and clear assessment of proposals for large-scale development, especially from Federal and State Government funding bodies, in our key protected areas.”
