General News
16 September, 2025
National park put to state parliament
Pyrenees National Park will become one of the nation’s newest national parks, with the State Government prioritising conservation and recreation in Victoria’s central west.
Last Wednesday, the Parks and Public Land Bill was introduced to Victorian parliament by the State’s Environment Minister. Over 65,000 hectares of national park has been created around the state, including the Pyrenees National Park.
The new national park will extend from west of Avoca, to north of Landsborough, making up approximately 15,000 hectares.
This will encompass the 4400 hectare Landsborough and Landsborough Hill nature conservation reserves, and 10,600 hectares of the Pyrenees State Forest.
The legislation follows a recommendation to the State Government in 2021 in response to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Councils Central West Investigation report.
Upon that announcement, Pyrenees Shire Council noted the interest for the new national park, and acknowledged the impacts new land management may have in the region.
“While council understands the importance of protecting the biodiversity values of our parks, council remains concerned about the impacts of this decision on some other uses of the public land,” they said.
“These uses include recreational and competitive horse riding and the provision for the collection of firewood.”
The purpose of the Pyrenees National Park will differ greatly from the Pyrenees State Forest. While both areas are protected public land and have vast recreational uses, state forests have the purpose of sustainable resource extraction, whereas national parks strongly prioritise nature protection.
The region homes many threatened flora and fauna, including the pyrenees gum and the powerful owl.
According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, most existing recreational activities will be able to continue in the Pyrenees National Park.
However, recreational pest hunting will not be permitted. Seasonal recreational deer hunting will continue in areas of the park that are currently State Forest, during permitted times of year.
Recreational prospecting will not be permitted.
The State Government aims to ensure these parks will be more accessible to Victorians for bushwalking, camping, horse riding, four wheel driving, dog walking, fishing, and more.
Under this legislation, Victoria will also see two other National Parks, the Wombat-Lerderderg National Park, and the Mount Buangor National Park.
Pyrenees National Park is expected to be finalised by October 2026.