Premier

New Park For Ballarat Another Step Closer

25 March 2016

The Andrews Labor Government has fulfilled an election commitment by delivering a new park for Ballarat after the Crown Land Legislation Amendment (Canadian Regional Park and Other Matters) Bill 2015 passed the Parliament last night.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water thanked the community for their involvement, which has helped create a park that the Ballarat community really wants.

The Friends of the Canadian Corridor, and other local groups made clear their strong support for a regional park, rather than the state park, which was first proposed.

This change accommodates the community’s wishes to use the area for a wide variety of uses, such as bushwalking, bike riding, dog walking, horse riding, nature observation, and prospecting.

The Park will provide more outdoor recreational areas for the city’s growing population by contributing to a green corridor within Ballarat that supports recreation for individuals and community groups, as well as protects a north-south wildlife corridor.

Work is already progressing with the traditional owners and community to find an Aboriginal name for the park, which acknowledges its location in Wadawurrung country.

The new regional park consists of approximately 640 hectares and will encompass the existing Canadian State Forest and former Victorian Plantation Corporation (VPC) plantation land in the Mt Clear area.

The Labor Government will fund $2 million to establish the new park.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville

"The Andrews Labor Government worked with the Ballarat community to ensure we create a park that reflects the wishes of the local residents."

"Now that this Bill has passed the Parliament, we’ve fulfilled an important election commitment to create a Canadian Regional Park which the entire community in Ballarat can enjoy for years to come."

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong, Geoff Howard

"This is a big win for the Ballarat community and will ensure that the Canadian Forest area will be protected for future generations."

"While the Liberals offered nothing to secure the land, with the passing of this Bill, the Labor Government will create a new wildlife corridor and protected green space to expand local recreation and tourism opportunities."

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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