Wombat State Forest - RIP?

[dpskipper]

So in all my years of hunting i've been incredibly fortunate to have access to loads and loads of private property, so i'm a complete novice when it comes to shooting on public land. I've got a new novice shooter i've taken under my wing and they just recently bought their first rifle. I'm showing them the ropes of hunting like how to whistle in foxes, proper technique for climbing over fences with a firearm, etc. Problem is the timeframes of our availability and my local property don't align, and rather than wait for another lockdown to happen, we'd like to go shooting sooner rather than later.
So plan B is public land. We both agreed Wombat SF looks good because close by for both of us.

I did some more digging on wombat, and found this thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15311
Which pretty much says we're f'ed.

What i want to know is, has this officially happened yet? Google maps still calls it wombat SF, and the 'More to Explore' app run by DELWP still shows all of wombat SF as able to be hunted.

Is the official state gov app outdated? Or is has Wombat SF and Lerderderg SP not legally become a NP yet?
If the app is outdated, does anyone have some pointers for where i can find up to date maps on where is still a bloody state forest around the Gisborne area?

cheers all

[Oldbloke]

If Moretoexplore indicates its ok and there are no NP signage my guess is its still ok. It would be a hard man that would drag you through the courts in that situation.

Moretoexplore does have an option to contact them.

But experience tells me moretoexplore can and do get it wrong sometimes.

[womble]

So it does. I think they want to log the crap out of it first before it goes np.
If you don’t have the app you need to do that now dpskippy.
We have tonnes of public land for hunting in vic and theres never much life in wombat anyway.
So you get the app then scroll across the top to hunting and you can also pull up detailed info on areas. It’s kinda awesome.
https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/visiting-state-forests/more-to-explore-apps-and-maps

[dpskipper]

So it does. I think they want to log the crap out of it first before it goes np.

Thanks for that, but what i want to know is, whats the status on the now former Wombat SF? How are we supposed to know when its a national park short of driving there every week and seeing if the signs changed?

[Oldbloke]

So it does. I think they want to log the crap out of it first before it goes np.

Thanks for that, but what i want to know is, whats the status on the now former Wombat SF? How are we supposed to know when its a national park short of driving there every week and seeing if the signs changed?

Yes, understand. All the onus is placed on us but the info is hard to find. Perhaps ph the local NP or GMA office.

Let us know how you go

[Fionn]

It becomes a NP sometime after 2030, no actual date set yet.

But the entire Wombat State Forest is now currently closed to the public due to storm damage.

[dpskipper]

It becomes a NP sometime after 2030, no actual date set yet.

Thanks for that.

[Oldbloke]

Sooo, this question has also been on my mind. Fionn, can I ask where you got that info from please.

[Fionn]

Sooo, this question has also been on my mind. Fionn, can I ask where you got that info from please.

I know the right people

Although not 100% clear read the bottom of this article

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-24/new-national-parks-for-victoria/100238132

or here

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-national-parks-and-reserves-victoria

or here

https://www.forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au/land-management/victorian-environment-assessment-council/victorian-government-response-to-veac-central-west-investigation

Deer hunting will still be allowed once its a national park.

[Oldbloke]

Ok Fionn, was there all along.
Thx