Let's make Mt Stirling part of the Alpine National Park!

The VNPA has a long-standing affection for Mt Stirling. Many of our members have hiked, camped and skied there, and we have campaigned against inappropriate development of the mountain. Over the years, its natural values have been damaged by logging, fires, cattle grazing and recreational vehicles, and threatened by proposals for commercial developments. Mt Stirling has never had the economic model of an Alpine Resort. A 2008 review of Alpine Resort areas by the State Services Authority (SSA) recognised this, recommending de-coupling the management of Mt Stirling from nearby Mt Buller.

Melbourne Nordic Ski Club members enjoy Mt Stirling. Photo: Charles Street.

According to the review, "Mt Stirling is more akin to a national park and should be positioned and managed as such".

The SSA recommended that "the Minister for Environment and Climate Change ... provide for the management of Lake Mountain and Mt Stirling by ParksVictoria from 2010".

The VNPA supports these findings, and believes that the SSA has found the best way to achieve the government's stated position on Mt Stirling.

Victorian Environment Minister Gavin Jennings said in 2008: "I will ensure that Mt Stirling remains an all-season, nature-based tourism, recreation and education resource with no ski lifts..."

Similar views have been expressed by every government in Victoria since the Mt Stirling Panel of Inquiry in 1997.

Mt Stirling is currently separated from the Alpine National Park by an area of state forest. The VNPA proposes that the best way to protect the whole area would be to include a suitable section of state forest with Mt Stirling in a seamless extension to the Alpine National Park.

We call this the 'Stirling Link' concept. The Link would include as many existing Special Management and Special Protection Zones as practicable. The current environmentally benign tourism, recreation and education uses would continue, but with improved management.

The VNPA would also seek to ensure that Parks Victoria is given sufficient additional funds to manage the Stirling Link as a world-class national park area.

 

For more information see the Stirling Alpine Link brochure on our website www.stirlingalpinelink.vnpa.org.au.

Ask the Victorian Environment Minister to implement the SSA's recommendations and add Mt Stirling to the Alpine National Park, together with intervening state forest areas.

Write to Hon. Gavin Jennings, Level 22, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000, or email gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au.