LCC Wilderness Special Investigation (1988-1991)

Progress

Overview

In August 1988, the government directed the LCC to conduct a special investigation of wilderness in Victoria and to make recommendations on the identification, reservation and use of wilderness areas and other areas of high wilderness quality.

Notices announcing the commencement of the investigation were published in the Victorian Government Gazette, and in Statewide and regional newspapers in August 1988.  A descriptive report was published In February 1990. The Council received 605 submissions and letters following publication of this report.  Proposed recommendations were published in April 1991, and a further 2,045 submissions were received on the proposals. The final recommendations were published in November 1991.

The resulting 20 wilderness areas and zones covered 3.5% of Victoria (9.4% of public land) with special protection that did not permit resource use, hunting and motorised forms of transport. A large number of submissions were concerned about access for hunting and vehicular access. However, 94% of the total wilderness area recommended was in existing national parks or wilderness parks so new restrictions were minor. Legislation implementing the recommendations produced the first statewide wilderness system in Australia.

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

Government decisions on the final recommendations can be found on this website here.