New leadership an opportunity to create a new future for national park management

Monday, 27 September 2010

Media release

The Victorian National Parks Association today welcomed the Brumby Government's appointment of an internationally renowned conservation planner as the new chief executive of Parks Victoria.

Dr Bill Jackson, currently Deputy Director-General of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has the capacity and opportunity to bring Victoria's conservation management firmly into the 21st century.

"The appointment should herald important new directions in national park management in Victoria. The State Government should embrace this great opportunity by giving Parks Victoria the significant increase in resources necessary to do the job well," VNPA Executive Director Matt Ruchel said.

"Our parks system faces great challenges including climate change, pest plant and animal invasions, and bushfire management.

"The new chief executive will need to answer the Royal Commission's important call to closely monitor the impacts of fire management on our national parks, and improve accountability in park management generally.

"National parks and other conservation reserves are the cornerstone for protecting our unique plants and animals, across both land and sea. They are Victoria's natural jewels and deserve strong leadership and proper resourcing if they are to flourish and be enjoyed by future generations," Mr Ruchel said.

For interview:

• Matt Ruchel, Executive Director 0418 357 813.
• Phil Ingamells, Parks Protection Project Officer 0427 705 133.