Report offers Victorian river solution on World Rivers Day
Sunday, 25 September 2011 Media release A new report 'Riverside Rescue' launched today on World Rivers Day highlights Victoria's degraded rivers and streams and identifies policy solutions that would help the Baillieu Government repair rivers and improve water quality across Victoria. The Victorian National Parks Association is calling on the State Government to end poor management of Victoria's publicly-owned riverside land to improve water quality and protect native species. |
|
The report - compiled by scientific experts from Monash University and commissioned by the VNPA - draws attention to significant threats from cattle trampling valuable riverside habitats and fouling waterways.
Cattle are currently allowed to graze on much of the 30,000km of Victoria's publicly-owned land abutting inland waterways under state licences.
"Victoria could be a first world leader in river management, but instead we are encouraging poor management of rivers polluted by cattle and cattle poo," the VNPA's River Rescue Co-ordinator Nick Roberts said today.
"The previous government had 10 years to fix this problem and failed. What a great legacy for the Baillieu Government to finally solve a long-standing problem and provide farmers with incentives to stop cattle wrecking river banks and polluting rivers.
"For too long, riverside land - colloquially called the long trough - has not been managed in a way that ensures river health, protects drinking water and supports native plants and animals."
A key recommendation made recently by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) is to exclude stock grazing from riverside land and protect rivers and water quality with new incentives for farmers, and a new conservation licence.
The recommendation was made in VEAC's Remnant Vegetation Report, which the Baillieu Government must formally respond to in Parliament by October this year.
"In the absence of any detailed conservation policy from the Baillieu Government, we would hope VEAC's advice will be strongly supported," Mr Roberts said.
"Combined with recommendations from our report, this creates a good opportunity to deliver real outcomes for rivers across Victoria.
"Many farmers already understand the value of riverside land and look after it, and these people should be rewarded and encouraged to do more. After all, the land belongs to all Victorians and should be managed for the benefits of the whole community."
For comment
- Nick Roberts, River Rescue Project Coordinator - 0429 945 429.
