Victoria’s national parks and other “protected areas” on public land form a world-class network of areas encompassing representative examples of many of the State’s diverse ecosystems and much of the biodiversity they contain. They safeguard many of the State’s flora and fauna species, preserve sites and features of indigenous and historical heritage, provide vital environmental services like carbon storage and water catchments, and offer nature-based recreation that supports local and regional visitor economies. They are valued as a living cultural landscape by Traditional Owners, with many now jointly managed.

“Protected area” is a clearly defined geographical space recognised, dedicated and managed through legal means to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (adapted from International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2008). In Victoria protected areas on public land include: national, state and wilderness parks; marine national parks and sanctuaries; conservation parks; nature conservation, nature and bushland reserves; some natural features reserves; and reference and remote & natural areas.

Despite their significance, Victoria’s public land protected areas face ongoing management and resourcing challenges. Marking the 50th anniversary of the National Parks Act (1975), a group of retired protected area managers identified the need for a professional body to offer independent advice and advocate for improved resourcing and management of Victoria’s public land protected areas. They also identified the need for a professional body to connect and represent current and former protected area management staff and facilitate opportunities for former staff to stay connected and make ongoing contributions to public land protected area management.

On 28 October 2025, the group incorporated as the Victorian Protected Areas Council Inc. and approved its Constitution and Terms of Reference. Click here for the Terms of Reference.

The purpose of the new body is “To advocate for:

  • The critical role of protected areas in conserving and protecting natural, cultural and visitor values and ecosystem services;
  • Improved effectiveness of public land protected area management in Victoria; and
  • Strategic additions to Victoria’s public land protected area network to ensure comprehensive, connected and adequate representation of the State’s natural areas, diverse ecosystems and biodiversity.

“To be a professional association for Victorian public land protected area managers to:

  • Support the professional development of current public land protected area professionals; and
  • Provide a forum for former public land protected area professionals to stay connected and continue contributing to protected area management in Victoria.”

For more information, refer to the Council’s website https://victorianprotectedareascouncil.org/.