Mirboo North protection area declared as new Conservation Park

AFTER years of campaigning by local groups, new legislation will see the Mirboo North Immediate Protection Area permanently protected as a new Conservation Park.
The welcome change came as part of the new Parks and Public Land Bill introduced by Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos, into the Victorian Parliament by last Thursday. 
The new status of the area will allow people to explore, relax and play in this unique remnant of highly vulnerable forest while ensuring the park is maintained for future generations to enjoy.  
Classification of the area into a Conservation Park was part of a recommendation from the 2021 response to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council s Investigation Final Report. 
But local groups, such as Preserve our Forests Mirboo North (POFMN) had been advocating many years prior to this to have the area properly classified.
"For the community group Preserve our Forests Mirboo North, this is significant victory in our campaign to protect this small, yet vital forest habitat that is home to so many native species - many endangered or vulnerable," said Marg Thomas, Convenor of POFMN.
"After an 8-year campaign, supported by the Mirboo North community and people from far and wide sharing their expertise, skills and dollars, we can finally celebrate this achievement. The designation of Conservation Park for the IPA will be a balance of conservation and recreation."
The Conservation Park will continue to be accessible with the community able to use the area to get into nature and do the things they love including bushwalking, horse riding, dog walking, fishing, seasonal deer hunting and more. 
Victoria s iconic native flora and rare and threatened species like the Powerful Owl, Barking Owl, Swift Parrot and Southern Greater Glider will be protected under this new status. 
"We're still digesting the news but are quite ecstatic to have reached this stage however, this means more work ahead when a management plan is developed jointly with our community, Traditional Owners and Land Managers," explained Marg.
"There are so many people to thank, Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists, Victorian National Parks Association, South Gippsland Conservation Society, South Gippsland Branch ALP, South Gippsland Shire Council, local media, and our own Preserve our Forests committee, just to name a few. Well over 50 people volunteered."
For more information visit forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au.