Calls for land transfer to secure historic protection of Point Nepean National Park
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April 6, 2009
Media Release
The Victorian National Parks Association is calling on the Brumby and Rudd governments to fulfil their election commitments and transfer the Point Nepean Quarantine Station to Victoria and designate it as a national park as a matter of urgency.
VNPA Campaigns Manager Megan Clinton said the association and other community groups have been fighting for almost a decade to establish an integrated Point Nepean National Park under one owner, one management plan and one management agency - Parks Victoria.
"This will be wonderful news for Point Nepean National Park and the protection of its significant natural and cultural values," Ms Clinton said.
"The immediate step the two governments must now take is to remove the private trust that was installed by the Howard Government in 2003 to manage the Quarantine Station.
"When the land is returned significant funding will be required by both governments to ensure it can be cleaned up and managed to a standard the community expects.
"After almost a decade the VNPA looks forward to the Brumby Government acting quickly to legislate for the inclusion of the Quarantine Station in the Point Nepean National Park and the establishment of Parks Victoria as manager.
"Point Nepean National Park and its unique mix of natural and cultural heritage values will become one of the best in Australia - and it's right on Melbourne's doorstep."
