Red Gum parks will deliver economic, environmental and social benefits
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April 22, 2009
Media Release
The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) today welcomed Environment Minister Gavin Jennings' visit to northern Victoria to talk with local communities about the development of new River Red Gum national parks and how they will impact on future investment and job creation in the area.
VNPA spokesperson Nick Roberts said the creation of the parks was important for a number of economic, environmental and social reasons.
"Not only will new parks protect a range of threatened plants and animals but they will also secure iconic wetland forests for future generations and deliver the first ever jointly managed national park in Victoria with Traditional Owners, the Yorta Yorta people," he said.
"The associated investment package for the new Red Gum parks from the Brumby Government will deliver $38 million into rural communities and create up to 70 jobs.
"These new parks will showcase the unique flora and fauna of northern Victoria and give local towns and communities the opportunity to expand eco-tourism and associated businesses."
However, the VNPA believes the Brumby Government could do more to assist a sustainable firewood future for northern Victoria by offering incentives to landholders to invest in woodlots and firewood plantations on cleared farm land.
One of the key recommendations in the Red Gum national parks Community Engagement Panel report was for "Government to actively support the development of dry land, mixed species agro-forestry in the River Red Gum region to assist in providing local firewood. This may include incentives to land holders to invest in agro-forestry..."
"The VNPA and industry groups support this recommendation, and we would welcome new measures by the Brumby Government to ensure this happens," Mr Roberts said.
"Agro-forestry would deliver ongoing firewood for the region and a range of landscape and commercial benefits to farmers."
The Victorian Government announced its decision to create the River Red Gum national parks in December last year, following more than four years of independent investigations and public consultation.
The investigation was carried out by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, which recommended that the government create more than 100,000 hectares of new parks and reserves in public land from Lake Hume to the South Australian border.
For interviews please contact Nick Roberts on 0429 945 429.
