Parks Victoria Annual Report 2000-01

Yarra Ranges National Park.It has been a year of considerable achievement, marked byseveral innovative approaches to park management, someof which I have highlighted. All of us at Parks Victoriaacknowledge that our progress is only possible through thehelp of our many partners. These include the many Friendsgroups, local government and State Government departmentsand agencies, many organisations from the private sector,academia, the media and the medical profession.No other project during this year better exemplifies the benefitsof working together with a shared aim than the plan tomaximise the potential of the Werribee region. Parks Victoriaplayed a lead role in bringing together representatives fromappropriate groups within the private and public sector toexamine the potential of this region. Werribee already hasmany positive aspects to build on. With its natural assets –including the bay and the Werribee River – and its location justa short drive or train ride from the city, its potential is unlimited.A project team has been established to ensure that many of theideas identified by the partners will eventually provide realbenefits to the people of Werribee and all Victorians.This year I also wish to recognise the increasing importanceof our partnership with Aboriginal groups. Successful parkmanagement is only possible through a multifacetedapproach, including the protection of significant Aboriginalcultural sites. By involving Aborigines in our planning andoperational aspects, by initiating a program of cross-culturaltraining for a large proportion of our employees and byemploying Aboriginal rangers across the State, we areensuring that our parks are managed for all Australians.Looking to the future, I would like to flag just a fewpossibilities that will have a significant positive impact onour society. As an organisation committed to protecting thenatural treasures in our environment, we look forward to theeventual inevitability of a declaration of a Marine NationalParks system. We are also excited about the recommendationby the Environment Conservation Council to create five newNational and State Parks to protect this State’s remaining Box-Ironbark forests.Finally, the range of resources we manage offer numerousopportunities to build networks that are vital to maintaininga civil society. Many of us at Parks Victoria will be directingmuch of our energy into supporting the State Government’sintention to increase our social capital by ensuring theseopportunities are firmly grasped.Mark StoneChief ExecutiveSeptember 20019