VEAC Assessment of the values of the Immediate Protection Areas in the Central Highlands

Progress

Overview

VEAC was requested on 20 March 2023 by the Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt MLC to assess the values of the Immediate Protection Areas in the Central Highlands and East Gippsland, and in adjacent state forests. The Terms of Reference were amended on 11 September 2023 to focus on the Central Highlands.

The assessment will inform the work of an Eminent Panel for Community Engagement in its provision of advice and recommendations to the Minister on the future uses of the Immediate Protection Areas and adjacent state forest in eastern Victoria.

The full terms of reference are available in Reports & Resources.

The purpose of the assessment is to:

• identify the biodiversity, ecological and geological and geomorphological values of the specified area
• identify the cultural heritage, social and economic values of the specified area
• identify the current and likely future threats to those values, including climate change
• identify the typical land use categories commensurate with the identified values
• assess the potential economic implications of proposed land use changes recommended by the Panel and provided to the Council

This request is for an assessment and report on the above values and the economic implications of the proposed recommendations of the EPCE. Public consultation and recommendations are not required.

The Minister amended the Terms of Reference on 18 June 2023, and again on 11 September 2023 to extend the reporting dates. VEAC must now publish its assessment of the matters specified in (a) to (d) by 15 December 2023 and a report on the completed assessment including the matter referenced at paragraph (e) by 31 July 2024.