Northern Victoria Region
Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:53): (588) My question is for the Minister for Environment, and it is in regard to the use of the Shepparton Regional Park by cyclists, in particular the Tatura 200 Charity Bike Ride and Walk community. The Tatura 200 has a long-running record of having a positive influence in the local community and has raised over $100,000 per year for local charities. A group of volunteers recently contacted me because they are deeply distressed by Parks Victoria denying the group’s request for a permit for this half-day charity fundraising event. The only reason given for denying the permit is that for 200 metres there is no track, and on this basis the designated trail is illegal. However, there has been pedestrian access through the area for over 30 years and four-wheel drive tracks have developed over the last decade. My question to the minister is: will you direct Parks Victoria to resolve this issue and provide a permit to enable the Tatura 200 charity bike ride to proceed in the future?