Parks Victoria chief exits, review ordered after closure of Mt Arapiles climbing routes

One of Victoria’s peak rock climbing groups has branded the exit of the boss of Parks Victoria and an agency review as a “a complete sham”, saying its avoiding the key problem.

One of Victoria’s peak rock climbing associations has branded the exit of the boss of Parks Victoria and an agency review as “a complete sham”.

Australian Climbing Association Victoria treasurer Mike Tomkins said replacing Parks Victoria chief Matthew Jackson would not address concerns climbers and other outdoor enthusiast had about access to the state’s bushland.

Mr Tomkins also took aim at a promised government review of the Parks Victoria agency, say the act which housed it needed to be probed, not the department.

“It’s not even a band aid fix — the captain of the ship is not the issue,” he said.

“The review of the Parks Victoria Act is what is needed. It’s the legislation that is the problem... and climbing is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Mr Tomkins said dropping Mr Jackson was just “an attempt to save the job of the Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos”.

“Matthew (Jackson) is not necessarily the villain, he was just performing as a corporation head.

“The act will lead the new CEO in the exact same direction... it’s a complete sham.”

Matthew Jackson is no longer the boss of Parks Victoria. Picture: James Ross

The boss of Parks Victoria was pushed out on Thursday and the Allan government ordered a full review of the agency amid concerns over park closures, unfinished trackworks and handling of the controversial closure of Mt Arapiles climbing routes.

In a surprise announcement Thursday, Environment and Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos said chief Matthew Jackson would leave the organisation, with Graeme “Gus” Dear named its interim boss.

He also revealed that auditing firm Korda Mentha would be brought in to carry out a full independent review of the agency, including looking at its financials and performance.

“The review will focus on Parks Victoria’s priorities, the delivery of its objectives under the Parks Victoria Act 2018, the organisation’s administration, finances, functions and delivery model to identify ways the organisation can reduce red tape, improve customer service and deliver better outcomes for Victorians,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“It’s clear that Parks Victoria’s current operations need to be improved to meet community expectations.”

Mount Arapiles is one of Australia’s premier rock climbing spots. Picture: Jason Edwards

It’s also understood the review will seek to better equip the agency to be more proactive on opening up public access to forests and state parks.

The move comes after huge public backlash to the decision to close almost half of the rock climbing routes on Mt Arapiles.

Fronting the inquiry into the 2023-24 financial and performance outcomes just last week, Mr Jackson was involved in a tense standoff when questioned about the move.

He told the panel the decision to close parts of the world-renowned park was not up for public consultation due to cultural heritage laws.

“We don’t consult on cultural heritage,” he told the panel in a fiery exchange.

“What we do is work with the First People’s State Relations who are the regulator … once the asset or the heritage has been notified, it’s registered and then we work through the process to make sure there is no harm into the future and to protect those parts of the ­heritage.”

The move also comes after a rising number of complaints about land managed by the agency remaining closed for years and works stalling in some places for months on end.

Questions were also raised last month over the ability for the agency to oversee its parks when Premier Jacinta Allan forged on with plans to convert another 440,000ha of state forest into new national parks.

Campers at The Pines camp site at the base of Mount Arapiles. Picture: Jason Edwards

It was also revealed that the Allan government was slashing Parks Victoria’s 2023-24 funding by $95m.

The cuts meant the shelving of 51 of its 111 services and the launch of an operational review to shake out 100 staff.

Opposition spokesman for Environment and Climate Change James Newbury said the state had ruined the agency.

“The chaos surrounding Parks Victoria under the Allan Labor government continues,” he said.

“In 2023-24, the Allan Labor government cut $95m from Parks Victoria and slashed staff numbers.

“Following this cut, Labor has now admitted Parks Victoria’s ‘current operations need to be improved to meet community expectations’.

“Victorians know Parks Victoria has been failing for years because the Allan Labor ­government has been more interested in chasing Greens preferences than managing our natural environment ­properly.”

There were reports Thursday night that staff were happy to hear the news. “Champagne corks are popping over here,” a Parks Victoria staffer said.

Parks Victoria manages more than four million hectares of parks and reserves.

Originally published as Parks Victoria chief exits, review ordered after closure of Mt Arapiles climbing routes