Parks Victoria at risk of extinction in wake of rock climbing and land access crises

Parks Victoria’s five remaining directors have had their terms slashed as the Allan government mulls whether to dump the crisis-ridden organisation.

Parks Victoria chairman John Pandazopoulos. Picture: Paul Loughnan

Parks Victoria board members have had their terms slashed to just three months, with directors facing the possible sack early next year after the rock climbing and land access imbroglio.

The Allan government has quietly posted new terms of just three months for five board members including former Labor minister and chairman John Pandazopoulos.

The news comes amid speculation Parks Victoria as an entity will be killed off next year in a major restructure.

In an unusual move, the Parks Victoria board members were stripped of their longevity last month and given until the end of next month to remain in the office.

Previously, the paid board positions were rolled over each year but now the directors are in effective limbo while the government faces a firestorm over the gutting of rock climbing at Mount Arapiles and a review of the agency is conducted.

The problems facing Parks Victoria and the government stretch to the broad issue of land access and the manner in which the organisation was run under former CEO Matthew Jackson.

The government’s decision to post short terms for the board will heighten speculation that Parks Victoria will be folded into the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to create more accountability and submit to ministerial control.

The government and Mr Jackson parted ways late last month amid acrimony over the political problems Parks Victoria was causing the government, especially over cultural heritage issues and access to parks.

Mr Jackson was being paid more than $500,000 a year, slightly more than the Premier, but fell out with the government amid the wrangling over rock climbing at Mount Arapiles and the way massive bans were imposed.

The government has been approached for comment.

Traditional owners at Mount Arapiles, about 340km northwest of Melbourne, are demanding rock climbing be gutted at the site to protect cultural heritage.

Rock art is not the most significant heritage at the site, with ancient stone quarrying and scarred trees dominating the landscape.

The government elevated Gus Dear to acting Parks Victoria CEO; he is well known to Premier Jacinta Allan and has been charged with shifting the organisation’s focus back to more pragmatic land management.

Nationals deputy leader Emma Kealy said it appeared Parks Victoria was about to be abolished.

“There is no other explanation,’’ she said. “It is clear that the writing is on the wall for Parks.’’

Just five of the nine Parks Victoria board members normally appointed will be in place by Christmas and each of them has been appointed only until the end of next month.

They are Mr Pandazopoulos, deputy chair Lisa Marty, Anthony Boxshall, Doris Paton and Vijaya Vaidyanath.

A government-ordered inquiry is under way into PV after the rock climbing row.

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the review would be finished by March.

Mr Dimopoulos said Parks Victoria was failing its objectives.

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

Mr Dimopoulos said the review would advise how the organisation could better serve the needs of Victorians and help them enjoy the outdoors.

“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. The review will be completed by March 2025, and will be overseen by the Victorian government with the support of Korda Mentha.

“As part of this process, Matthew Jackson, the CEO of Parks Victoria, has departed his position by mutual agreement and I wish him well.”

The turmoil at Parks Victoria comes amid tensions with traditional owners in the Arapiles area after the same strategy was used to gut climbing at the nearby Grampians National Park.