Push for huge new national park near major Aussie city
There are renewed calls for authorities to open a new national park near a major Aussie city as the state's population booms and iconic wildlife continue to creep closer to extinction.
Advocates are pushing the Victorian state government to formally recognise the 350,000 acres of green space in the Central Highlands as the Great Forest National Park (GFNP), saying Melburnians are in desperate need of protected outdoor space where they can enjoy nature as the city continues to be one of the fastest growing in the country.
"We haven't had a new national park since the late 1990s in Melbourne, yet the city has increased in size equivalent to the size of Adelaide since then. We've had huge population growth and we've had advances in our hospitals and our schools and roads but had no investment in our green spaces," Sarah Rees, Project Manager of GFNP, told Yahoo News.
As the cost of living continues to bite and many Aussie families opt for holidays and experiences closer to home, having protected green space easily accessible by public transport is imperative for public health, she argued.
"It's about an investment into Melbourne and into creating more green spaces for Victorians, particularly under a cost of living crisis where people can't afford their annual holidays and so forth," she said. "The point is, everyone goes to these places to refuel, to spend that quiet time, to get away from the hustle and bustle. And the power of this place is you can reach it by public transport."
Melbourne is falling pitifully behind Sydney when it comes to the amount of green space available for residents to explore, Sarah said. Greater Sydney has 1.1 million hectares of green space, whereas Great Melbourne only has 165,000 hectares — meaning Sydney has seven times the amount.
⛺️ National park spot hugely popular with campers reopens to the public after years
👻 National Park camping costs to rise in major change to tackle ghost bookings
😔 Calls for major change at famous Aussie waterfall after double tragedy
Some of the country's most critically endangered species reside in the land where many hope the new national park will be and recognising it as a national park will help give the species a fighting chance at survival.
"This is an area that houses some of the most iconic yet critically endangered wildlife left in the state, and the mountain ash ecosystem itself is also critically endangered.
"So it's about a conservation investment," Sarah explained. An official national park declaration would protect the natural environment and its vast inhabitants.
Species such as the baw baw frog, galaxias fish and leadbeater's possum — an emblem of Victoria — reside where the GFNP would be.
There were previously high volumes of logging activity in the area is and there are concerns the practice will be reintroduced if there is a change in political power in the state, so formally recognising the land as a national park will give assurance that is won't be logged.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
18 hours ago
- New York Post
Fresh flights send New Yorkers running for Italy's high heel
This month, Italian startup carrier Neos launched the first ever nonstop direct flights from America to the country's buzziest region, Puglia. The JFK to Bari route will operate once weekly through Oct. 15, with prices starting from $1,000 for standard economy seating and an upgraded Premium Relax cabin for around $400 more. The outbound flight is on Tuesday, with the return from Bari every Wednesday over that window. 5 Fly direct from JFK with Neos. Michela Celi Even better, there's a stylish and roomy new lounge at Bari airport so you can wait for that return in style. The region's been on the rise for a decade or more, but local experts say the Dolce & Gabbana show, which took place on a makeshift runway winding through the fairytale-like cottages, known as trulli, in Alberobello two years ago turbocharged curiosity. 'We saw a 120% increase in booking from US clients from the region for 2024, after that,' said Ben Julius, who runs Tourist Italy. 'And we already see a 50% increase on that for 2025.' Still, you won't have to worry about over-tourism issues as you might in Venice peak season or, certainly, in Rome during this Jubilee Year. Puglia's at its Goldilocks stage, right now, per Stellavision Travel's Zoe Shapiro, it's just right. 'The region is definitely in that incredible moment where there are wonderful hospitality options to be had but it's not over-explored yet.' 5 Puglia's OG boutique retreat, Masseria Trapana, is newly refreshed. Handout Thankfully, there's already a raft of superb hotels on tap. Pick of them is the chic makeover of the nine-room Masseria Trapana, run by expat Aussie Rob Potter-Saunders, who was a visionary when he opened a decade ago. La Fiermontina in central Lecce is a cluster of three properties, owned by a pair of wealthy Moroccan-Italian siblings. Book one of the four rooms they've installed in the museum they operate in tribute to their grandmother, a famous artists' muse born nearby. 5 Park at palace perches like La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso in Lecce. La Fiermontina New this year: the buyout-only 10-bedroom mansion house Casina Cinquepozzi, in the tiny village of Putignano, best known in Italy for its carnival celebrations. Nigerian jewelry designer Thelma West and her Neopolitan husband, Stefano Liotta, bought it to turn it into a stylish retreat for creatives. Otherwise, check out Trulli e Puglia, said Embark Beyond's Jack Ezon. 'Mimmo Patrizio Palmisano is the mayor of Alberobello, and a great guy who will invite you to his home,' he raved. 5 Enjoy a swish stay at Casina Cinquepozzi, Handout Don't miss the chance for a candelit meal in Grotta Palazzese on the waterfront in Polignano a Mare — not for the food, but for the setting, in dramatic grottos carved out from the cliffs there. The menu's more impressive at the Michelin-nodded Meraviglioso nearby — try some of the assorted pesce crudo. Wine lovers should make sure not to miss the 20-seater My Wine in Monopoli, where host-owner Gianni de Bellis offers advice and an encyclopedic selection. Olive groves abound here, too, of course and to see a farm dating back to the Roman era, complete with forests of hundred-plus-year old trees at Antica Masseria Brancati. Most of the action in Puglia, especially noteworthy hotels, is centered on the Adriatic stretch between the cities of Brindisi and Bari, but if you want to lounge on a top tier beach, you'll need to head over to the other, Ionian Coast, where the sandy spits are far more appealing. Campomarino is a standout, or head over to Tarento for boat trips to spot the Ionian dolphin in the northern reaches of the namesake sea, year-round. 5 The coveted Mathraki Beach on the Ionian coast. Dionisio Iemma – Several companies offer a quirky way to roam the back roads: classic cars. Puglia Auto Classica will rent you the likes of a Lancia Flaminia complete with the original red seats, while the aptly named 500 Journeys just launched a fleet of meticulously restored Fiat 500s. Antonello Losito, who runs Puglia-based Southern Visions has two must-see spots he suggests on any country adventure. Go to the Giardini Pistoia, a country estate that only recently opened to the public — there are concerts there during summertime, and a superb organic shop which sells the manse's own wines. Likewise, he recommends a detour to the Le Constantine Foundation which preserves and champions the skills — long synonymous with Puglia. 'The art of weaving is kept alive here,' he said, noting that the artisans' onsite shop sells everything from handwovens tablecloths or towels to wall hangings, scarves and shawls. Ezon adds another insider spot for handcrafted souvenirs: Barbara Sperti, a custom shirtmaker based in Putignano: 'It's worth a half-day detour with dinner in one of the great restaurants there,' he said. 'And her shirts are a bargain — totally made to measure at [approximately] $170.'
Forbes
21 hours ago
- Forbes
Exploring Irpinia With A Passionate Guide
I love the region of Campania in southwestern Italy for many reasons: the beauty of its landscapes, the food, the wine (of course) and the people. It's a region that people know about on several counts; there's Napoli, the capital city; the amazing pizzerie, and of course, the Amalfi Coast, one of God's most inspired creations. Last year when I was preparing to travel to Campania, I did an internet search on the region, looking for interesting places to eat and visit, as well as wines I needed to try. In the midst of this search, I came across a website The Authentic Irpinia, that is hosted by Sarah Pompei, a Los Angeles native who moved to Irpinia and married a local winemaker. Along with assisting her husband Vincenzo (known to his friends as Pupo), she leads tours in Irpinia, focusing on the area's glorious wines and foods; she also offers cooking classes as well as tours of area towns that are sometimes more than 1000 years old. Sarah was kind enough to spend three days with me touring wineries; this was associated with a project I am working on to promote this area's wine. Irpinia, by the way is the ancient name for the province of Avellino in Campania; here both world-renowned wines such as Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo (white) and Taurasi (red) are produced. Meeting Sarah was a great experience, not only because she is extremely knowledgable about her work, but also because she is always upbeat, positive and engaging. In fact, I arranged another visit earlier this year with her, and loved every minute of it. I asked her a few questions about her work, and why she moved to Irpinia. Her answers are below. After reading her responses and looking at her website, you just may want to book that trip to Irpinia, and experience a few wonderful days in, as she writes, "a land untouched by mass tourism. When did you first travel to Campania? What were your initial thoughts? What made you fall in love with Irpinia, rather than Bevenento or Salerno? My first trip to Campania was in 2009 when I came to visit Pompei - a must with my last name - but was back in Rome by the end of the day. It wasn't until I came back to Italy in August of 2016 with my family for a 'find your roots' trip that I realized what I'd been missing. We came to Gesualdo in the Avellino province - the village my great-grandfather immigrated from when he came to the USA in 1904 - and I swear, it was love at first sight with Irpinia. I had goosebumps from head to toe while we were still in the car from the airport when I first saw the castle in Gesualdo. I knew I had to move to Irpinia from that very first moment and I hadn't even stepped foot out of the car! Once I started exploring the hilltop villages, the history, the wine, the food, and getting to know the people - it was game over. This was the Italy I had been dreaming of but hadn't found until Irpinia. Vineyards in Irpinia Photo ©Tom Hyland Other areas of Italy are terrific of course - don't get me wrong. I enjoy visiting them any chance I get. But Irpinia is just special in a way that's almost hard to put into words. This area embodies what almost everyone conjures up when they think of Italy: sitting around the kitchen tables with the winemakers while you try their wines, learning to make pasta by hand, grabbing coffee at the bar with the village locals, festivals for just about anything you could think of, and just enjoying that slower pace of life that focuses on people, not to-do lists. I just thought it was all magical. What do you offer people who sign up with you for a visit of one to three days? What do most people request, and what do most people tell you they enjoy the most about their time with you in Irpinia? Here's the thing - you could come spend a week with me and we wouldn't run out of ways to explore Irpinia. But guests that come for one day usually love to explore the picturesque (but tourist free) hilltop villages and learning to make pasta by hand and other traditional Irpinia dishes with the family at Antica Trattoria Di Pietro, the 90-year-old restaurant where the food pairs perfectly with some of my favorite Irpinia wines. Another highlight is joining winemakers at their kitchen table for a lunch tasting of their wines with foods freshly prepared from the gardens after exploring the vineyards and tasting directly from the barrels. I mean, where else can you even imagine doing that? Then of course, there's wandering through some of the region's rich history. This area was on the Appian highway from Rome to Brindisi. There are Roman ruins and crypts with saints and so much more like an underground sulfur volcano, Mefite, that infuses the grasses with a very particular flavor that helps produce a sheep's milk cheese 'carmasciano' that can only be made in 3 villages in all of Italy. Where have most of your clients come from? Most of my clients come from the USA and then Australia - I collaborate with like-minded Italy experts who know all the best hidden gems and off the beaten path experiences. Most guests are mostly looking for something real, an escape from the tourists just looking for the next photo of something they read about or saw on social media and before moving on to the next item on a check list. When you come to Irpinia, you know you're experiencing generations of traditions come to life. Finally, what can you tell people are the best things about Irpinia? Is it the food, the wine, the scenery, all of these or something else? This is the Italy you've seen in the movies, the one that lingers in your thoughts right before you fall asleep, but that you didn't know actually existed. Here the people are doing things the way they've been done for centuries. It's a living history of the best dishes, wines, and people Italy has to offer. Making tomato sauce by hand, pasta rolled out using rolling pins handed down for generations, and where every meal can be discussed for hours. That's why you come to Irpinia. It's a reminder and the reality of how people continue to use generations of traditions to influence daily life. They're still doing things the way they always have and I (thankfullly!) don't think that will ever change.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
How to watch World Test Championship Final 2025 cricket on ICC TV (It's free)
You can watch all five days of Australia vs South Africa live on ICC TV, streaming for free. The stream includes English commentary as the Aussie bowlers look to turn over Proteas batters cheaply following a 14 wicket opening day. The worldwide platform will show every wicket and boundary to a variety of fans across the globe - find the full list here. Can you access ICC TV in the U.S., U.K. and Australia? Read on and we'll show you how to watch World Test Championship 2025 live streams from anywhere with a VPN for FREE. Cricket fans in countries from Afghanistan to Vietnam can watch the 2025 World Test Championship live for FREE on ICC TV. You can sign into ICC TV via Google, Facebook or Apple accounts or alternatively your e-mail. Not at home right now? Use NordVPN or another VPN service to trick your device into thinking you're at home in one of the countries that has the coverage for free. We watched Day 1 and the quality on the platform was superb! Although ICC TV is only available in select countries, those who are from the nations streaming the action for free but visiting the likes of Australia, the U.S. and the U.K. can stream it through the use of VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software sets your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So, it's ideal for sports fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market: There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate best. It's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 7,000 servers, across 110 countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend. Get up to 70% off now and an Amazon gift card if you're a U.S. or Canadian resident! It is really easy to watch, here's how. Using a VPN is incredibly simple. 1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite. 2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.S. and want to view your Czech Republican service, you'd select Czech Republic from the list. 3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to ICC TV and watch Day 2 right now. ICC TV show full coverage of the action, with the first ball arriving at 10:30 a.m. (BST) each day. A star-studded commentary panel has arrived at Lord's for the final featuring former greats including Matthew Hayden, Graeme Smith, Stuart Broad, Shaun Pollock and Kevin Pietersen, alongside leading broadcasters Nasser Hussain, Ravi Shastri, Mel Jones, Ian Smith, Ian Bishop and Dinesh Karthik. Daily highlights are also provided if you have missed out on the day's action. Remember. Use NordVPN if you're outside your usual country on vacation. Australia Innings 1: 212 all out (56.4) B. Webster, 72 | S. Smith, 66 South Africa Innings 1: 43-4 (22) R. Rickelton, 16 | D. Bedingham, 8 We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
