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Tim Bull says Victoria can’t manage current parks, criticising government plans to further expand network

Tim Bull says expanding Victoria’s national parks is irresponsible, arguing existing parks are neglected, understaffed and overrun by pests, weeds and feral animals, with reduced funding making effective land management increasingly impossible.

By news@gippsland - 31st October 2025 - Back to News

The move to establish several new national parks in Victoria has been opposed by the State Liberals and Nationals. Speaking on the legislation, which creates additional national parks predominantly in the west of the state, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said it was ludicrous to expand the parks’ network when the existing one is already neglected.

The Nationals' Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says Labor's move to expand the national park network in Victoria is ludicrous when it already neglects the parks what we have

Parks management under fire

Mr Bull said, "In addition to a lack of control across the current network, we are seeing staff cuts within Parks Victoria. How can we expect fewer staff to manage a bigger system when the one we already have is out of control?"

He told Parliament that Victoria’s parks are being overrun by pests, plants and weeds such as blackberry, English broom, African Lovegrass and serrated tussock. "These species outcompete native flora, degrade habitat and increase fire risk by creating dense, flammable understorey. When we raise these matters, we’re told there’s no money for control efforts, yet the government is expanding the network," he said.

Pest crisis escalates

Mr Bull added that pest animals are also rampant. "Sambar deer, foxes, wild dogs, pigs and rabbits are causing widespread environmental damage. Pigs are arguably the most serious threat, with their rapid spread encroaching on farmland and spreading disease".

They’re destroying native vegetation, threatening biodiversity and undermining the ecological objectives of the parks themselves," he said. Mr Bull said that over the past decade under Labor, Victoria’s park estate has grown by 20 percent, while operational funding and ranger numbers have both fallen. "How is that ever going to end well?" he said.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Gippsland Water reminds customers support is available for water bills with flexible plans and financial assistance options
  Gippsland Water’s Customer Care team offers support for water bills, including flexible payment plans, financial assistance, utility relief grants, and connections to counsellors. Visit their website to learn more.
• Darren Chester supports reforming the Coalition to unite Liberals and Nationals and deliver stronger government for Australia
  Darren Chester welcomes the re-formed Coalition, united to hold Labor to account, focus on cost of living, families, regions and security, and develop sensible policies for a safer, stronger, fairer Australia.
• Discover Tarra Bulga National Park’s ancient rainforest, towering ferns, Corrigan Suspension Bridge, lyrebirds, and lush Gippsland greenery
  Explore Tarra Bulga National Park’s ancient rainforest, towering ferns, and Corrigan Suspension Bridge, spot lyrebirds, enjoy walking trails, picnic areas, and nearby Gippsland towns, beaches, and rail trails.
• Gippsland Water celebrates National Water Week poster winners, honouring young regional artists’ achievements
  Gippsland Water announced its National Water Week poster winners, congratulating students for colourful submissions. Four placed in the state competition, with Heyfield Primary School winning $500 for STEM or sustainability projects.
• Explore Mitchell River National Park’s dramatic gorges, lush rainforest, and sacred Aboriginal sites on the Den of Nargun Loop Walk
  Discover Mitchell River National Park’s dramatic gorges, razorback ridges, and lush rainforest on the Den of Nargun Loop Walk, a sacred Aboriginal site northeast of Sale, 3¼ hours from Melbourne.
• Darren Chester quits shadow ministry, vows to keep fighting for Gippsland and regional Australia
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester has resigned from the Coalition shadow ministry but says he remains committed to representing Gippslanders and regional Australians in Parliament despite political tensions over legislation proposed.
• Darren Chester urges abandoning flawed legislation restricting medal reviews to actions within 20 years
  The Albanese government's proposed legislation limits medal appeals to 20 years, stripping veterans and families of rights. Darren Chester says the changes undermine the Defence Honours Tribunal's independence and disenfranchise ADF members.
• Bass Coast wins National AustStab Award for sustainable road recycling and innovative rehabilitation
  Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption.
• Gippslander Scott Morris joins national bowel cancer advocacy push at Parliament House in Canberra
  Bairnsdale Scott Morris joined Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, sharing his stage four diagnosis to advocate for earlier screening, better treatment pathways, and urgent national action on rising early-onset bowel cancer rates.