The ball is now in the court of the Minister for the Environment who now must accept or reject VEAC's recommendations which, however, are clearly in breach of its Terms of Reference which require VEAC to "make recommendations for the balanced use of the land". If the recommendations were accepted, there would be virtually no multiple-use forest left near Bendigo. This is not balanced land use.

For those concerned about the effect of timber harvesting in the Wellsford State Forest, be assured it is only small-scale sawlog harvesting and regrowth thinning. This produces beautiful ironbark timber, as well as posts and firewood, using plans that protect the full range of flora and fauna in the area. Firewood is a product many people in the Bendigo area need.

In contrast, parks limit various activities, such as firewood collection, that are allowed in state forests. Critically, it should be noted threats to forest biodiversity, such as wildfire, pest plants, feral animals and climate change, will not change just because forest is designated as some kind of park. If the government accepts VEAC's recommendations, Bendigo residents will have lost a great multiple-use forest that is on their doorstep.

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The Victorian government has announced a royal commission into Melbourne's Crown Casino with Premier Andrews stating: "This is about making sure that those who hold a casino licence in Victoria uphold the highest standards of probity and integrity and that they are accountable for their actions".

The premier is now apparently all for accountability but not so when it came to the loss of 801 lives directly related to the state's quarantine fiasco. No royal commission, but an 'inquiry' with limited terms of reference and without powers to forensically examine all documents and participants.

It allowed politicians and bureaucrats to avoid accountability and responsibility, invariably relying on amnesia. This would not have occurred under a royal commission.

The state government is expecting higher standards of probity, scrutiny and accountability for a private corporation with the sweeping powers of a royal commission - something it was never prepared to face up to on hotel quarantine. Hypocritical double standards.

Where's the definitive answer to the question about the Anzac Day parade? It must go ahead!

The 'Invasion Day' protest, BLM and the Australian Open went ahead. Our veterans deserve our support.

Open the entrance to Aldi from the North Midland Highway where there is currently a bollard. Left-hand turn only. Then also exit from Aldi onto the Midland Highway, turning left only. This would be less traffic entering and exiting Howard Street. Exiting from Epsom Village is a disaster.

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