The HRA has developed the attached document, Forest Access Discussion Points, as a guide to advocating for the rally community in Victoria against the implementation of the Great Forest National Park.
The so-called “Great Forest National Park” proposal would see around 300,000ha of forest in the Victorian Central Highlands locked up in a National Park. The proposal received a boost just before Christmas with the release of an interim report from the Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC).
While there is no legislation currently before state parliament there is a strong push from green groups supporting the proposal to hurry the process along.
What does this mean for rallying?
Hard to say yet, but more than likely it will mean that the forest areas where three rounds of our state championship are staged (Ada River Rally, Yarra Valley Stages, and Akademos) will soon be “off-limits” to closed road car rallies. Other events like the George Woods Rally and Marysville Stages will also be affected.
Our recommendation on how to advocate for the sport most effectively is to call your local State member of parliament and book a face-to-face appointment. Emails and letters get lost in the huge backlog in most parliamentary offices. Use the document we have created as a discussion prompter or even a script and leave them a printed copy if possible.
Here is the page where you can find your local member: Parliament of Victoria – Find a Member
Now is the time to do this. Recommendations for legislation are being formulated and we need to have a voice in that process.
Good luck
Historic Rally Association 