With the 200th anniversary of settlement at Point Nepean recently, the government has decided that the site is no longer needed for military purposes giving rise to a difference of opinion about what to do w ith it. On one hand, the State Government planned it to become a National Park only to have insufficient funds and on the other, the Federal Government wants to lease the site to the highest bidder. Although the government recently announced a budget surplus of $7.8 billion, one would have thought that they would be able to spare a couple of million restoring the national heritage sites of historical Point Nepean just as they allocated for former defence sites around Sydney Harbour. .
Is this really an option? To dispose of precious, priceless land in this way as has happened to so many other scenic locations around the country?.
Taxpayers have paid off the park several times over so it is about time it was handed to the people as a national park for everyone to enjoy and learn from. We at the Victorian National Parks Association believe that a national park at Point Nepean is realistic because protection of natural and cultural heritage is fundamental to the maintenance of our social and economic systems. There are no other national parks that are situated around Port Phillip Bay giving more reason why Point Nepean should be made a national park. As the parliamentary secretary for defence Fran Bailey said, "By preserving Point Nepean, we will leave legacy for all of us to enjoy for years to come." The park is readily accessible to the metropolitan area making it perfect for family day trips or school excursions to discover the national history of the area. It will provide conservation, tourism, education, training, employment and research benefits to the wider community.
In a part of the 90 hectare site that is up for lease is the scarce coastal Moonah woodland, one of the few in the world that has been recognised by the United Nations, If the current plan to lease the site was put into place it would allow new development of this sacred area.
