The Victorian Government has announced it will ask the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) to investigate the circumstances under which low impact prospecting might be conducted in the state’s national parks.

 

State Minister for Energy and Resources, Michael O’Brien, said that any such prospecting undertaken in national parks would remain uninvasive, and that the State Government would ensure the continued protection of heritage and environmental values of the parks.

 

"It involves the use of hand tools only, the most common being metal detectors. Prospecting does not include commercial mining," Mr O'Brien said.

 

Mr O’Brien said that recreational prospecting was already allowed in several national parks and had not caused any environmental damage.

 

Areas subject to the VEAC investigation may include Alpine, Baw Baw, Croajingolong, Errinundra, Lake Eildon, Lind, Mitchell River and Yarra Ranges National Parks as well as Lerderderg State Park.

 

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said VEAC's independent investigation process would ensure consultation across government and with stakeholders, including key conservation groups.

 

The Government will seek public comment as part of the VEAC investigation.

 

VEAC is due to report on the completed investigation by 30 April 2013.