Letter from the Minister

menu_book picture_as_pdf book Lisa Neville Environment Australia Victoria

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Maits Rest Rainforest Trail on the Great Ocean RoadStanciuc

Letter from the MinisterLisa Neville MP

Minister for Environment and Climate Change

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What kind of bushwalks if any do you enjoy?The Banksia Trail in the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve is one of my favourite bushwalks. It’s a reasonably easy trail of about three kilometres through the only remaining grassy woodlands on the Bellarine Peninsula. There are wonderful things to see such as grass trees that are hundreds of years old and native orchids everywhere in the spring. It’s a place to see the rare local Bellarine Yellow Gum, as well as lots of wallabies and echidnas. The reserve is also home to hundreds of native birds, such as the beautiful tiny Blue Wrens. I love the fact that even though this isn’t a very big reserve, when I’m walking in it I feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere. I love the mental and physical peace and quiet I get from being immersed in such a beautiful place and feeling away from it all.

What role do you see bushwalking playing in the conservation of native landscapes? Walking through the bush connects people with nature and fosters in them a sense of stewardship for natural places and a desire to protect them. This is evident in the many passionate members of Friends groups who work to care for and protect these open spaces. Bushwalkers can also be the eyes and ears for park managers in parks and reserves that are often remote and not

easy to access on a regular basis, reporting issues such as weeds, damage to tracks and vandalism or illegal activity.

What message would you like to share with people new to bushwalking? Explore places that are in your local area and start with walks that are not too long or physically demanding. Gradually building up your fitness and walking experience means you are more likely to have an enjoyable experience. Be prepared; carry a phone, some food and water and let someone know where you’re going. Always check if dogs are allowed and be aware of current fire bans. Joining bushwalking groups or clubs like the Geelong Field Naturalists is also a good way to get started. The Parks Victoria website parks.vic.gov.au has some really useful maps and detailed information on planning your walk.

What message would you like to share with experienced bushwalkers? Even though the nature reserves on the Bellarine may not be vast or remote they are still significant and well worth exploring. By sharing their experiences, walkers can encourage others to get out and explore new landscapes. Social media is a very effective way of doing this. Having more people enjoying the benefits of bushwalking is good for both the health of the general community and for these natural environments.

Norman Bay from Mt Oberon, Wilsons Promontory VictoriaWello

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Griffiths Island SW VictoriaJcr_au

Hon Lisa Neville MPLisa is from Queensland, and has a BA and LLB. She has held a number of positions related to universities, social areas and politics. She was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 2002. Her former portfolios were Mental Health and Community Services and Senior Victorians. She is currently the Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Lisa is determined to raise the profile of environmental issues, vital to the future of Victoria and the nation. She is a strong advocate for improved services and infrastructure for the growing population on the Bellarine Peninsula.

If you could ask the bushwalking community to help you in any area what would you ask them to do? I would encourage them to get more involved in the future of these places they enjoy and hold special by joining Friends groups and taking an active role in the health and preservation of these open spaces. Parks Victoria has hundreds of volunteers of all ages enjoying the health and social benefits of being active outdoors with like-minded people. There is more information on how to get involved at parkweb.vic.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer

What are some of the key challenges and opportunities faced by the Victorian native ecosystems? Introduced weeds and predators are the two biggest challenges to park ecosystems. Parks Victoria has a range of long-term partnership programs that are the most effective means of controlling these.

Rubbish dumping and general litter is also having a very negative effect on parks and reserves through contamination and injury to native wildlife. I would urge all bushwalkers to take care in keeping the places they walk through in pristine condition.

Another challenge for open spaces is the spread of urban communities. Many of these are encroaching on sensitive environments such as grassy woodlands and regional parks and reserves. Parks Victoria is now working with these new communities to make sure these environments are cared for and protected.

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