Anger at Brumby Government plan to axe key environment institution
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Media release
The future of planning for the protection of native plants and animals is under threat from a Brumby Government decision to abolish the independent Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC).
As the council released a groundbreaking discussion paper today, possibly one of its last, a coalition of 20 environment groups called on the State Government to abandon plans to abolish the highly respected organisation.
Victorian National Parks Association Executive Director Matt Ruchel said it was vital to retain VEAC to ensure Victoria's wild places are kept safe for future generations.
"VEAC and its predecessors have played a key role in creating Victoria's world-class conservation reserve system," he said.
"This is a sneaky decision made without consultation and will lead to the dismantling of a key conservation body."
The Wilderness Society's Victorian Campaigns Manager Gavan McFadzean said VEAC has a proud history of environmental protection.
"Many of Victoria's most loved national parks are protected thanks to advice from VEAC, including Croajingolong National Park, Grampians National Park, our marine parks and sanctuaries, and the new River Red Gum parks," he said.
"For almost 40 years VEAC and its predecessors have served Victoria well as an independent source of expert advice on complicated land use and ecological issues," said Don Saunders, Conservation Coordinator for Bird Observation and Conservation Australia (BOCA).
"Importantly, VEAC's investigations require extensive community consultation, but this requirement could be lost if VEAC is absorbed into a larger organisation," Mr Saunders said.
"At a time of climate change impacts and many other threats we need VEAC more than ever, and it makes no sense for it to be abolished," said Cam Walker, spokesperson for Friends of the Earth.
"This essentially abolishes the role of an independent, standing investigative body, yet this major decision was never discussed formally with environment groups during two years of consultation on the strategy," he said.
VEAC today released a comprehensive discussion paper on Remnant Native Vegetation in Victoria, the most cleared state in Australia.
"The release of this groundbreaking paper on native vegetation in the most degraded and fragmented parts of the state shows why we need institutions which can grapple with complex ecological issues in a thoughtful, consultative and understandable way," said Sarah Durrant for BEAM, Mitchell Environment Group (Broadford region).
The groups have sent a letter to the Premier along with a petition with over 2400 signatures calling on him to support and expand VEAC and commence a number of new independent investigations.
For comment please contact:
- Matt Ruchel, 0418 357 813
- Don Saunders, 03 9877 5342
- Cam Walker, 0419 338 047
Download the group letter to Premier Brumby VEAC Remnant Native Vegetation Investigation