OWNERSHIP of nine Victorian parks and reserves, include Mt Buffalo National Park and part of Alpine National Park, and up to five surplus public land parcels as freehold title have been transferred to the Taungurung Traditional Owner Group.

The Recognition and Settlement Agreement commenced on August 11 with little fanfare and ratified a suite of agreements under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Vic), and related legislation made in October 2018 between the Victorian Government, the Taungurung Land and Waters Council Aboriginal Corporation (TLaWCAC), and the Taungurung Traditional Owner group.

While the Attorney General Jill Hennessey was unavailable for comment, a government spokesperson said the agreement delivers meaningful recognition of Traditional Owners and opportunities for the Taungurung community, including the realisation of greater self-determination.