What the community can do to help
The Minister Resources has the power under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 to exempt areas of land from Exploration and Mining.
The Steiglitz Historic Park has now been exempted, but the Minister has subsequently resigned leaving the roads and road reserves within them not completed and the parks still at risk.
As an example, is these theoretical and invisible roads that had the drill stakes put in them recently. It looked like they were in the bushland of the park but they were in the forgotten road reserves that were being exploited.
You can help by writing to the new Minister to request the road reserves are not forgotten and exempted when the current exploration licence expires in October before the next company steps in.
Expressing your concerns in your own words is the most powerful. And it can be as brief as you want; the Minister and local members are already aware of all the details so you don't have to explain them.
Request that all road reserves within the boundaries of the Steiglitz Historic Park and Brisbane Ranges National Park, and the South Steiglitz Road, are exempted from any licences under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990.
Include your full name, address and contact details to make sure its valid and gets though.
It doesn't have to be formal, tips are available on the government website here: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/contacting-members For example: "You should only use 'The Hon.' when addressing an envelope. You do not need to use it in the content of your email or letter."
You can include your own local member on the email. If you live in an electorate adjacent to the park, the details of our two local members are provided below.
For residents of Steiglitz, She Oaks, Meredith, Lethbridge, Inverleigh, Teesdale, Maude, Bamganie, Durdidwarrah the electorate is Eureka
For residents of Anakie, Corio, Bell Post Hill, Lara, Little River, Balliang, Avalon, Staughton Vale the electorate is Lara
If you live further afield, you can find you electorate here: Parliament Electorate Maps
And the details of your local member here: Find a member - Parliament of Victorias