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Parks will be protected from development: Wells

Victoria's national parks could be opened to development to boost tourism.

A draft report by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission has recommended hotels, restaurants and other facilities be allowed inside parks.

The State Government says it supports cutting red tape for tourism operators, Golden Goose Sale but will not allow the environment to be compromised.

The public will be asked for feedback before the final report is released mid-year.

The Treasurer, Kim Wells, says any development will be subject to strict environmental conditions.

"We will not compromise on the environment and the protection of the parks is paramount," he said.

"I was at Wilson's Prom on the weekend and had a great walk down to Sealers Cove and the reason I go is because of the natural beauty of Wilson's Prom and we will be protecting that."

The executive director of the National Parks Association, Matt Ruchel, says any development need to be strictly regulated.

"What we don't want to do is set up a situation where there's exclusive use of what are essentially public assets," he said.

"We don't want to start building large-scale infrastructure in parks that undermines the natural values and the purpose of the parks, which is to protect and preserve nature."

The tourism industry is backing the call for more development.

Todd Blake, from the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, says it is in the industry's best interests to preserve the environment.

But he says red tape is hampering investment in the sector.

"For smaller scale operators, it is very difficult," he said.

"There are a significant number of regulatory impediments, licenses, permits, government https://www.goldengooseshoesit.com/ instrumentalities that they need to work with and it's very difficult for small operators to chart their way through that complex landscape."