LCC Alpine Area (1973-1979)

Progress

Overview

Notices showing the boundary of the Alpine study area and advising that an investigation was to be carried out were published in the Victoria Government Gazette and in local and Victorian newspapers in September 1973. A descriptive report was published in July 1977. The Council received 1,538 submissions on the future use of public land from individuals, associations, companies, and local and State government bodies. After considering these submissions, and having visited the area, the Council formulated its proposed recommendations, which were published in April 1978. The Council received 14,013 submissions commenting on these proposals. The Council published its final recommendations in June 1979. 

The Alpine region was the LCC’s first big challenge. The establishment of an Alpine National Park had been an aim of the Victorian conservation movement since its earliest days. In addition, the Alpine region provided a third of Victoria’s hardwood sawlogs; recreational users and mountain cattlemen all wanted continued access to the high country; and the Alpine region accounted for a quarter of Victoria’s water supply.

To this day, the original Alpine Area remains the investigation that received the largest number of submissions.

The descriptive report, proposed recommendations and final recommendations are available from this page.

The Labor government came to power in 1982 with a commitment to review the final recommendations. See the Alpine Area Special Investigation (1982-1983).