Great Forest National Park

Toolangi State Forest, part of the proposed national park

The Great Forest National Park is a proposed national park in Victoria, Australia. The park would protect the forests of the Central Highlands and the endangered Leadbeater's possum.[1] The park would also protect the habitat of the threatened native Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) - the tallest flowering trees on the planet, and a large part of Melbourne's water catchment.[2]

Location

The park would extend between Kinglake National Park (west) and Baw Baw National Park (east), Lake Eildon National Park (north) and Bunyip State Park (south).[3] It would protect 355,000 ha of land, including existing state forests such as the Cathedral Range State Park and Toolangi State Forest.[4]

Public support

An opinion poll conducted in 2014 showed that 90% of Victorians support the proposed park.[1] The proposal is also supported by 30 environmental and scientific groups, including the Royal Society of Victoria, Australian Conservation Foundation and The Wilderness Society.[5] Prominent environmentalists supporting the park include David Attenborough, Jane Goodall,[4] Tim Flannery and Bob Brown.[6]

The proposal was a key topic in the 2014 Victorian state election. While the incumbent Liberal-National Coalition ruled out support for any new national park, the proposal was supported by The Greens.[4] The Labor Party was divided on the issue and did not actively support the plan during the election campaign.[7]

See also

References

External links

Coordinates: 37°30′S 145°30′E / 37.500°S 145.500°E