Grab bag for Victoria’s natural environment exposes need for new approach
Friday, 19 November 2010
Media release
Responding to Labor's parks and environment policy announcement today the Victorian National Parks Association and The Wilderness Society said there needs to be a new vision and comprehensive plan for Victoria's natural areas.
"Victoria is the most cleared state in Australia and has some of the highest numbers of threatened plants and animals in the country," the VNPA's executive director Matt Ruchel said.
"Our unique natural areas and remnant bushland need attention if we are going to avoid further losses.
"The ALP policy, while it includes some welcome initiatives, is not enough to reverse the decline in our natural habitats. It lacks new ideas and vision - in particular our unique marine environment has been completely ignored.
"New protected areas in central Victoria such as the Wombat Forest near Dayelsford and Wellsford near Bendigo would have received strong community support, as well as resources to give our magnificent national parks system the funding they need to be properly managed.
"The policy also fails to recognise that our parks system needs a dramatic increase in money spent on conservation management such pest, plant and animal control."
According to government figures just $18 million was invested over the past year in natural values management within Victoria's almost 4 million hectare conservation and parks estate (about $4.50 a hectare, or $3.50 per Victorian).
"This is equivalent to the cost of a cup of coffee per Victorian once a year. Surely our natural areas deserve better attention," Mr Ruchel said.
"There is also a disturbing trend from the ALP in other policies to increase hunting access to national parks under the guise of pest control, undermining the integrity of our parks system."
The Wilderness Society's Victorian campaigns manager Gavan McFadzean said some aspects of today's policy announcement were welcome.
"In particular the $7 million to plant native vegetation corridors and reconnect ecosystems within the Habitat 141 project along the state's western border is an excellent commitment," he said.
"Also, the $1.8 million for better management of the Mt Cole State Forest begins to turn around the decades of neglect this special region has endured, while the creation of the 1300 hectare Bunurong Coastal Park to protect the coastline between San Remo and Inverloch is also an important step.
"But overall there are missed opportunities galore in this package."
For comment
- Matt Ruchel - 0418 357 813.
- Gavan McFadzean - 0414 754 023.