Allan launches Parks Victoria review after $94m cut to funding

The Allan Government gutted Parks Victoria funding last year — now it’s launched a review into why it’s struggling to operate.

Parks Victoria CEO Matthew Jackson has walked out the door, to be replaced by Victorian Fisheries Authority chair Graeme “Gus” Dear.

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos has ordered a review of Parks Victoria, saying its “operations need to be improved to meet community expectations”.

The minister’s criticism comes despite the Allan Government slashing Parks Victoria’s 2023-24 funding by $95 million, forcing it to cut 51 of its 111 services and launch an operational review to shake out 100 staff.

The Weekly Times last month revealed the extent to which Parks Victoria was being gutted, as Premier Jacinta Allan forged ahead with plans to convert another 440,000ha of state forest into new national parks.

Nationals MP Melina Bath said it was a bit rich for the minister to put all the blame on Parks Victoria, given he was responsible for the cuts to funding, services and staff.

“Labor can’t manage public land, with Victorians and the environment paying the price,” Ms Bath said.

Mr Dimopoulos also announced PV’s chief executive Matthew Jackson has departed “by mutual agreement” to be replaced by Victorian Fisheries Authority chair Graeme “Gus” Dear.

“Gus brings with him 30 years of experience in public and private sector administration and has served on the VFA Board since its inception, most recently as chair,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

As for the review, Mr Dimopoulos said it would “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 reduce red-tape, improve customer service, and deliver better outcomes for Victorians”.

He said the review would be completed by March 2025, and will be overseen by the Victorian Government with the support of Korda Mentha.

One Parks Victoria staffer said he hoped the review led to Parks Victoria being brought back into the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

“Champagne corks are popping over here,” the PV staffer said.

But concerns remain in regard to how the executive operates.