The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) is calling for the rejection or significant amendments to the Outdoor Recreation Victoria Bill 2026 due to be debated by the Legislative Council today. They are warning the legislation would create a body with sweeping influence over public land which could impact nature protection right across Victoria.
VNPA says a new Land Access Panel established under the Bill would be hand-picked by the responsible Minister, with no requirement for nature conservation expertise, no obligation to publish its advice, and no duty to assess impacts on nature. The panel would act without oversight from the independent Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, which was charged with assessing public land use and recently abolished by the government, supposedly as a cost-saving measure.
‘Our parks and public land are for enjoying and protecting nature. One shouldn’t come at the cost of the other.’ said VNPA Executive Director Matt Ruchel.
‘A body with influence over public land access and management must carry a legal obligation to protect nature. The bill is currently unbalanced and will prioritise one group of users to the detriment of a majority of visitors and nature.’
The Bill establishes Outdoor Recreation Victoria by merging the Game Management Authority (GMA) and the Victorian Fisheries Authority. A recent ABC investigation raises serious questions about whether that foundation is sound.
The purpose of the Land Access Panel seems to be to fill the void left by the abolished Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, but without that body’s independence or transparency. Where the council was required to conduct public reviews and publish findings tabled in parliament, the new panel would operate with no equivalent obligations.
VNPA is urging the Legislative Council to reject the Bill or pass amendments that:
- Establish nature protection as a core objective of Outdoor Recreation Victoria.
- Require the Land Access Panel to include independent conservation expertise, publish its advice, and assess nature impacts before recommending changes to public land access.
- Separate Outdoor Recreation Victoria’s promotional functions from its regulatory and enforcement functions.
Victoria is the most cleared state in Australia. More than half of the state’s native vegetation has been cleared since European settlement, and many native plants, animals and fungi are at risk. Victoria’s 8 million hectares of public land, which includes state forest and national parks, contains most of the remaining habitat. Most indicators for biodiversity are declining according to Victoria’s State of the Environment Report.
‘We all love our parks. They protect wildlife and habitats and they’re great places to go walking, camping, birdwatching and more.’ said Ruchel.
‘That’s exactly why independent oversight matters, and why this Bill, as drafted, needs to change or be dropped. To protect parks and public land, for nature and for people.’
Background information
Outdoor Recreation Victoria Bill 2026 Part 5 – Land Access Panel
‘Access Panel is to provide advice and information to the Minister regarding community access to public land for the purposes of outdoor recreation, including by –
– providing recommendations relating to the improvement of access to public land; and
– reporting on existing or proposed restrictions on access to public land’
Public land use:
Statewide polling undertaken by Redbridge Group shows that:
- The most popular forest-based activities for Victorians include: Short bushwalks, (48%), picnics (36%), photography (21%), multi-day camping (11%) and bird watching (11%)
- The least popular forest-based activities for Victorians (under 5%) include: Trail-bike riding (motorised) and shooting and hunting
- People particularly value waterfalls and rivers, but also enjoy peace and quiet, good views and seeing wildlife.
About us:
About Victorian National Parks Association
The Victorian National Parks Association is an effective and influential community conservation organisation. We work with local communities, scientists and government to advocate for evidence-based policy to safeguard wildlife, habitat and protected areas. We inspire connections with nature through citizen science, activities, action and education for all Victorians. We’ve led the creation, oversight and defence of Victoria’s natural estate for over 70 years and represent a community of tens of thousands of nature-lovers.
