This independent investigation into public land in the central west comes 30 years after the last detailed assessment of most of the public land in the area. Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D'Ambrosio commissioned VEAC in March 2017, with key terms of reference including two public submission periods.

VEAC's report is informed by independent scientific research as well as community consultation and more than 3300 written submissions, with input from traditional owners. VEAC has also assessed the environmental, economic, social and cultural values of central west Victoria through reviews of significant places, for example, threatened species habitat, geological sites and visitor areas, as well as evaluating user activities such as recreation, domestic firewood collection, commercial timber harvesting and mining.

The VEAC report recommends status changes to forests including an increase of 58,000 hectares in protected areas. Recommendations include the establishment of a new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park (taking in the existing Lerderderg State Park), a new Pyrenees National Park over the southern flanks of the Pyrenees range, a new Mount Buangor National Park (taking in the existing Mount Buangor State Park) and an addition of almost half the Wellsford forest to the Greater Bendigo National Park.

VEAC's recommendations are designed to balance the need for all Victorians to use and enjoy public land and the need to reduce climate risk and plan for the long-term protection of biodiversity, as well as conserving areas of significant Aboriginal cultural value. It is recognised internationally that national parks are one of the best ways to preserve irreplaceable native plants and animals and the natural environments in which they thrive. Recommendations are also designed to address specific local risks to rare and endangered species.

Victoria has one of the highest proportions of threatened species and ecological communities in Australia, while Victoria's population is forecast to grow at an average rate of 1.5 per cent a year to almost eight million citizens by 2031, and 10 million by 2051. Climate change is having an impact on Victoria's environment now. Decisions need to be taken now to meet these challenges.

Historically, decisions about land are highly contentious. However, throughout VEAC's investigation of central west Victoria, there has been common ground among stakeholders - a clear recognition of the need for the repair and restoration of forests that have been affected by a history of logging. VEAC's recommendations will do this; protect the most important habitat for an estimated 380 rare or endangered plants and animals and help meet conservation benchmarks for ecosystem protection.

The VEAC report is a blueprint for the future of forests in the central west. In Victoria, where more than half of the land has been cleared, public land is the cornerstone of strategies to protect nature.

Janine Haddow is chairperson of VEAC