Red Gum parks and Point Nepean the winners in 2009 Victorian State Budget
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May 6, 2009
Media Release
The Victorian National Parks Association today congratulated the State Government on budget spending for Victoria's Point Nepean and River Red Gum national parks.
VNPA Campaigns Manager Megan Clinton said the River Red Gums parks announcement, which includes the structural adjustment package, would ensure effective management of the iconic area and encourage more regional jobs.
"However, while the VNPA welcomes this budget announcement for national parks, we are concerned that a disproportionate amount of money will be spent on costly forest thinnings, which may have poor ecological outcomes," she said.
Ms Clinton also said the long-awaited incorporation of the Quarantine Station within Point Nepean National Park would be bolstered by extra budget spending.
"The budget package of $10 million to upgrade infrastructure at Point Nepean, with an additional $4 million for park management once the incorporation is completed, is also welcome," she said.
"This funding will provide the opportunity to showcase the effective management of important cultural, built and natural heritage in Victoria."
Plans to protect old growth forest in East Gippsland were also welcomed by the VNPA.
"We hope to see protection of significant stands of old growth forest in East Gippsland as part of the State Government's long-awaited 2006 election commitment," Ms Clinton said.
"It is however disappointing to see no specific funding in the Budget for the Land and Biodiversity at a Time of Climate Change White Paper, which is due out later this year.
"The paper was designed to tackle Victoria's ongoing biodiversity crisis where nearly half our native plants and close to a third of our native animals are either extinct or threatened. The VNPA hopes the government will rethink its decision on funding for the White Paper."
For interviews please contact Megan Clinton on 0419 539 731.
