Recent Progress
Our committee member, Colleen, has been reseaching programs already running in the Victorian Volcanic Plain region which might form groundwork to build a united Biosphere Program. One of these is the unique landscapes of the World Heritage listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape and also the former Kanawinka Geopark, whichwas located in south west Victoria around the Portland region, containing over 300 volcanic sites. It was recognized by UNESCO as part of the Geoparks program in the
2008 but lost its official status a few years later due to legislative issues within the Australian government. The Geoparks program was similar to the Biosphere program in its focus on uniting tourism goals with the preservation of sites of geological and cultural significance. Unfortunately, disagreements ultimately led to the delisting of the Kanawinka Geopark. However, the collaborations and networks that were already created between shires in the south west of Victoria and even into the Limestone Coast of SA through the Kanawinka team could form a strong starting block in the west for a wider VVP Biosphere.This is not the only network which could form important groundwork for a Biosphere program. Others include the VVP Conservation Management Network, the Grassy Plains Network, the Corangamite
CMA’s tourism focused Volcanic Lakes and Plains project, and regionally focused networks such as the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance.