An investigation into the use and management of public land is calling for submissions from the Hepburn Shire community.
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The Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC) is undergoing consultation with community members to hear their interests, values and uses of Wombat Forest and public land in Hepburn Shire.
VEAC central west project manager Kathy Preece said a community drop-in session at Daylesford on August 1 saw more than 50 people share their interest in public land.
“What we heard was a wide range of views about how people value and use these areas and ideas for their management,” she said.
“The overriding message we got was these areas are really well-loved, heavily used and highly valued by local communities. Overall people really want to see the forests looked after and in good condition for the long run.”
Community members can make submissions through the VEAC website until Monday, August 21.
The information gathered during the consultation period, scientific assessments and about social and economic values will be analysed before compiling a report of draft recommendations mid-next year. A second community consultation period will ask for feedback on draft recommendations in 2018. A final report for the recommended management of public land in the central west will be published in March 2019.
“The first stage is to identify and evaluate the values and the second stage is to make recommendations about the balanced use and appropriate management arrangements,” Ms Preece said.
“It is clearly focused on making some recommendations for natural and cultural value and conservation, but it does take into account all the social and economic values and uses as well.”
Gold prospectors, four-wheel drivers, mountain bikers, walkers and bee-keepers have shared their thoughts on the recreational use of public land.