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VNPA applauds decision to retain VEAC

Friday, 15 October 2010

Media release

The Victorian National Parks Association has welcomed today's announcement by the Brumby Government that it will retain the state's key independent environmental advisory body, the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council.

"The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) is a highly respected Victorian institution that has played a critical role in the protection of Victoria's unique habitats, across land and sea," VNPA Executive Director Matt Ruchel said today.

"It is great news that the Brumby Government has committed to retain the independence of this vitally important institution.

"It would have been tragic to lose this important institution which, for more than 40 years, has provided strategic advice to the Victorian Government and community on the protection and ecologically sustainable management of the environment and natural resources of public land.

"We are also calling on the Coalition to publicly support VEAC."

Environment groups had feared VEAC would be abolished after the government's 2009 Securing Our Natural Future white paper proposed amalgamating it with the Victorian Coastal Council and the Victorian Catchment Management Council.

In June, twenty leading environment groups lodged a petition with more than 2400 signatures, calling on the government to reverse its decision and instead support and strengthen VEAC's role as an independent statutory body.

Following today's announcement that VEAC will be retained, VNPA called on the Brumby Government and Coalition to commit to two new VEAC inquiries in the next term of government.

These include a comprehensive assessment of the marine environment including opportunities for new marine parks and a state-wide assessment of rivers and wetland health.

"It has been 17 years since Victoria's last and only comprehensive state-wide study of the marine environment,'' Mr Ruchel said.

"Victoria needs a comprehensive, science-based inquiry on our marine habitats, values and threats to fill the many gaps in our current knowledge, consider opportunities for new protection initiatives, and consult with the community and relevant stakeholders."

The key strengths of VEAC and its predecessors have been:

  • Arm's length and thorough investigation of complex ecological and land use issues.
  • Expert scientific advice free of departmental and political interference.
  • Transparent, thorough and thoughtful public and stakeholder consultation process.
  • Reporting to parliament as well as the government and the community.

Many of Victoria's special places are now protected under the national park system, based on advice from VEAC and its predecessors, including the parks below:

  • Croajingolong National Park.
  • Grampians National Park.
  • Alpine National Park.
  • Yarra Ranges National Park.
  • Marine Parks and Sanctuaries across 5.3% of coastal waters.
  • Big Desert Wilderness & Avon Wilderness parks.
  • Box-Ironbark & goldfields heritage parks.
  • Great Otway National Park.
  • And lastly our new parks in northern Victoria: River Red Gum national parks, almost 100,000 ha of new reserves.

More information

For further comment please contact VNPA Executive Director Matt Ruchel - 0418 357 813.