Central Victorian Landscapes Study – Submissions Sought
Posted on 10 February, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (formally the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure) is undertaking a Landscape Assessment Study of Central Victoria. The study is one of six across regional Victoria to ‘support the recently released Regional Growth Plans‘. Connecting Country’s main area of interest – the Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds – is almost entirely encompassed within this central Victorian area (click here).
From correspondence received from one of the consultants engaged to assist the state government with the study:
“The studies will evaluate and document the visual character and significance of landscapes across Victoria. This document will help guide regional planning to protect and manage these landscapes into the future.
Late last year we started investigating where visually significant areas and views may be in the study areas. As part of this process we asked representatives from local government agencies for their ideas. Agencies included councils, Catchment Management Authorities and Heritage Victoria. Members of our project team are now visiting these sites taking photos and recording information to support the final report.
The study area for Central Victoria is huge! We need help to find out where the significant landscapes are and understand what is important to local communities. I am contacting you as the representative of your community or environment group to invite your members to participate in the study. We would like to receive photos and comments describing the landscapes that are important to you and your members. This information will help us understand:
· the characteristics of the landscape
· the most significant, scenic or beautiful landscapes, views and features
· possible threats to the significant landscapes
· the intangible or non-visual aspects of the landscape, such as its cultural, heritage, social or ecological importance. ”
They request that photos and comments be submitted via their project website (www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/landscapestudies). The process includes completing a form on the website, uploading photos and marking on a map the location of the photos. The draft report will be prepared in March 2015, so they are keen to receive photos and comments by Sunday 1 March 2015.
It is still unclear to Connecting Country how the information is to be collated, prioritised and ultimately used. It is probable that Connecting Country will make a submission to this process, which highlights the wide-ranging important landscapes throughout the local area that are worthy of protection and management – many of which have a subtle or complex value which cannot be properly documented in a photograph. Local communities members or groups may wish to make their own submissions as well.
I have every intention of forwarding photos and short scripts to this inquiry because the whole area around the town of Talbot in the Central Goldfields is awash with cultural heritage and historical artefacts. These are slowly being neglected and will be lost to posterity, unless we take firm action to recue these sites from damage and neglect. Stand by for futher information from me by your closing date March 1st.
Hi Max,
It’s great to hear that you are making a submission. However, please note that this is not a process being run by Connecting Country. Any submission of text, photos or other material needs to be submitted to the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning through their website. Follow the links in the main blog post above to get to the right location for submissions.
Chris
I have every intention of forwarding information to this enquiry on behalf of Talbot Action Inc, as there are many sites in the Talbot district that are in danger of being lost forever and these sites need to be restored and protected for posterity.
Please stand by for my pictures and short stories about these sites, as they are very important for the future of tourism and historical record keeping in this district.