I hope you don't take this the wrong way, because I'm not having a go at you, but can you illuminate the reasons why it is a good thing? From reading the article, and having only limited familiarity with the area, I don't understand what they are trying to preserve. Is it particular remains of historical settlements and mining? If so why don't they just put in measures to protect the particular sites?
To me, and probably to a lot of others, it is difficult to understand why they just decide to close off such a large swag of land to "preserve the heritage" of the area. If you have information that supports the heritage listing bid, that us non-locals aren't privy to, it would give people something to think about before blindly signing petitions.
AS yet, I haven't signed the petition, due to lack of fully understanding the situation.
I'm feeling exactly the same mate.
"1. In no way is there any proposal for the establishment of some new park or reserve which would exclude activities. Any sites considered as part of the process, which is referred to as a serial listing, would be the most special of the structures and buildings across the region already listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and/or the National Heritage List."
And it sounds like that is exactly what they are doing...
It sounds like they are seeking to protect specific sites, kind of like the huts in the high country?
Like Troopy_03, I have limited knowledge of this specific area (read none), but from my long distance perspective it's probably not such a bad thing if there are historic site preserved and maintained for us tourists to drive around and have a look at.
I understand everyone's right to protest and if once all of the facts have been released it is true that they want to lockup a huge parcel of land and stop all access then you'll have my support too.
Please keep us updated after the meeting has been held and the discussion has officially started between all parties.
I'll refrain from shouting from the sidelines until I know what the actual proposal includes.