Parks Victoria set for shakeup
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Parks Victoria is facing a leadership transition and government review.
The Victorian Government has announced a review of the operations of Parks Victoria, the agency responsible for managing over four million hectares of parks and reserves across the state.
It comes alongside the resignation of CEO Matthew Jackson, who has stepped down after nearly eight years in the role.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced the review and Jackson’s departure. Graeme Dear, former chair of the Victorian Fisheries Authority, is now serving as interim CEO until a permanent CEO is selected next year.
The review, to be completed by March 2025, aims to assess Parks Victoria’s alignment with its statutory objectives under the Parks Victoria Act 2018.
The scope includes examining administrative processes, financial management, and service delivery models.
Dimopoulos says the review seeks to “reduce red tape, improve customer service, and deliver better outcomes for Victorians”.
“This is about ensuring that the state’s parks and reserves not only meet the needs of our community today but are positioned to serve future generations,” the minister said.
Matthew Jackson’s tenure concluded on 28 November.
During his leadership, Parks Victoria says it prioritised accessibility and safety across its vast network of parks, which attract over 100 million visits annually.
His successor, Graeme Dear, brings over three decades of experience in public and private sector administration. Dimopoulos has expressed confidence in Dear's ability to steer the organisation through this period of change.
The decision has sparked concern among environmental groups. The Victorian National Parks Association’s Executive Director Matt Ruchel has criticised the review, suggesting it could undermine nature conservation efforts.
“It’s hard to see how major cuts to funding for Parks Victoria, combined with an out-of-the-blue review, meets community expectations,” Ruchel said.
He warned the review might serve as a pretext for weakening environmental protections.
Ruchel pointed to recent polling (PDF) that found 80 per cent of Victorians support the state’s national parks. He urged the government to ensure funding and biodiversity protection remain central to the review.
The group also noted the government’s recent failure to legislate new national parks in central Victoria. Promises of creating the largest expansion to the state’s forest reserve system have yet to materialise, fuelling further criticism.
Parks Victoria says it remains committed to maintaining clean, safe, and accessible parks during the transitional period.
The organisation’s long-term direction hinges on the outcome of the review, with findings set to guide new reforms.
