Right: A poster used by the Victorian National Parks Association to oppose graziers' use of the Alpine National Park.
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Background information
Victorian National Parks
Despite their name, most national parks are state and territory run, apart from six that come under Commonwealth jurisdiction (Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Booderee, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Pulu Keeling).
The Victorian National Parks Act 1975 states in its preamble 'that certain Crown land characterized by its predominantly unspoilt landscape, and its flora, fauna or other features, should be reserved and preserved and protected permanently for the benefit of the public.'
There are six main principles under which Parks Victoria, the body which manages Victoria's National and State parks operates:
i) They conserve the environment of the places they manage for current and future generations (including preparing for, responding to fires and helping restore land after fires).
ii) They acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the places they manage.
iii) They respect and protect the culture and heritage of the places they manage.
iv) They recognise the fundamental role of natural environments to human health
v) They plan and manage places to support use by all abilities and a diverse community.
vi) They plan and manage public land on behalf of and in partnership with the community.
Victoria has 2850 separate Protected Areas with a total land area of 39,273 kmę (17.26% of the state's area). Of these, 45 are National parks, totalling 28,023 kmę (11.32% of the state's area).
The Parks are managed by Parks Victoria, a state government organisation. There are also many smaller state areas which are subject to commercial activity such as logging.
The state of Victoria has also protected approximately 5.3% of coastal waters. In June 2002, legislation was passed to establish 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries. Victoria is the first jurisdiction in the world to create an entire system of highly protected Marine National Parks at the same time.
As of 2011 Victoria's 45 land-based national parks were as follows:
The Alfred National Park (3050 hectares) established in 1925; the Alpine National Park (646000 hectares) established in 1989; the Barmah National Park (28521 hectares) established in 2010; the Baw Baw National Park (13300 hectares) established in 1979; the Brisbane Ranges National Park (7718 hectares) established in 1973; the Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park (18400 hectares) established in 197; the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park (21600 hectares) established in 2002; the Churchill National Park (1668 hectares) established in 1941; the Cobboboonee National Park (18510 hectares) established in 2009; the Coopracambra National Park (35000 hectares) established in 1991; the Croajingolong National Park (87500 hectares) established in 1979; the Dandenong Ranges National Park (3215 hectares) established in 1987 (it includes the former Ferntree Gully National Park); the Errinundra National Park (26875 hectares) established in 1988; the French Island National Park (11100) established in 1997; the Grampians National Park (168000 hectares) established in 1984; the Great Otway National Park (103000 hectares) established in 1981; the Greater Bendigo National Park (17007 hectares) established in 2009; the Gunbower National Park (9330 hectares) established in 2010; the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park (49975 hectares) established in 1960; the Heathcote-Graytown National Park (12833 hectares) established in 2002; the Kinglake National Park (22360 hectares) established in 1928; the Lake Eildon National Park (27750 hectares) established in 1957; the Lind National Park (1370 hectares) established in 1925; the Little Desert National Park (132000 hectares) established in 1968; the Lower Glenelg National Park (27300 hectares) established in 1969; the Lower Goulburn National Park established in 1992; the Mitchell River National Park (14338 hectares) established in 1963 (includes former Glenaladale National Park, expanded 1986, and 2003); the Mornington Peninsula National Park (2686 hectares) established in 1988; the Morwell National Park (560 hectares) established in 1967; the Mount Buffalo National Park (31000 hectares) established in 1898; the Mount Eccles National Par (6120 hectares) established in 1960; the Mount Richmond National Park (1733 hectares) established in 1960; the Murray-Sunset National Park (633000 hectares) established in 1991; the Organ Pipes National Park (152 hectares) established in 1972; the Point Nepean National Park (470 hectares) established in 2005; the Port Campbell National Park (1750 hectares) established in 1962; the Snowy River National Park (98700 hectares) established in 1979; the St Arnaud Range National Park (13900 hectares) established in 2002; the Tarra-Bulga National Park (2015 hectares) established in 1986; the Terrick Terrick National Park (5882 hectares) established in 1999; The Lakes National Park (2390 hectares) established in 1927; the Warby-Ovens National Park (14655 hectares) established in 2009; the Wilsons Promontory National Park (50400 hectares) established in 1898; the Wyperfeld National Park (356800 hectares) established in 1921; the Yarra Ranges National Park (76000 hectares) established in 1995.