News

| February 14, 2023

Kealy asks Minister to intervene in management of arboretum

Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Emma Kealy has asked the Minister for Environment to immediately return management of the Peter Francis Points Arboretum in Coleraine to a local committee of management.

Situated on 37 hectares of parkland on the edge of Coleraine and with more than 10,000 recorded plants, The Points houses one of Australia’s most valuable native plant collections.

This includes a broad collection of Eucalypts and a range of walking trails and beautiful picnic areas.

Management of The Points Arboretum was transferred from a local committee of management to Parks Victoria several years ago, with no budget allocated by Labor for its upkeep.

The arboretum’s condition has continued to deteriorate under the management of Parks Victoria and locals fear this highly valued community asset will be lost if management does not transfer back to a local committee of management.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Ms Kealy said the Minister for Environment needed to make a decision to save the arboretum and return responsibility to a local management committee.

“Locals are rightly concerned about the future of this fantastic community asset and embarrassed by its current and deteriorating condition,” Ms Kealy said.

“There were meetings late year between The Points Association, who do a fabulous job and want to continue to manage this great asset for all Australians, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning as it was then known.

“An agreement was reached that responsibility would be returned to a local committee of management but nothing further has transpired.

“The Minister needs to step up and immediately finalise this transfer of responsibility to stop any further deterioration of this wonderful and unique asset and ensure its future for generations to come.”

The Minister now has 30 days to respond to Ms Kealy’s question.