VEAC has published its final report of the state forests in the Central Highlands

On 16 January 2026, VEAC submitted the final report for its Assessment of the values of state forests in the Central Highlands to the Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos MP. The assessment was initially requested on 20 March 2023.

VEAC published its interim report in December 2023 and this was used by the Eminent Panel for Community Engagement in 2024 when it undertook extensive engagement with stakeholders and developed its recommendations for the future use and management of the Central Highlands state forests.

The government released its response to the panel’s recommendations on 21 October 2025 and instructed VEAC to assess the economic implications of its acceptance of the panel’s recommendation to add the 13,500-hectare Yarra Tributaries Forest Reserve to the Yarra Ranges National Park.

VEAC’s final report is made up of the information provided in its interim report, together with the results of this assessment of the economic implications of the government’s response.