Report provides blueprint for Baillieu Government approach to nature conservation
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Media release
Victoria's leading nature conservation group has highlighted a key opportunity for the Baillieu Government to demonstrate its policy approach to nature conservation - by supporting the recommendations of a report tabled in Parliament yesterday by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC).
"Victoria needs a vision and a comprehensive policy framework to ensure our natural environment is well managed for the future," Victorian National Parks Association spokesperson Nick Roberts said today.
"This VEAC investigation is a great starting point for the Baillieu Government to outline a comprehensive policy approach to conservation, in the most cleared and stressed state in Australia."
The Remnant Native Vegetation Investigation Report is the culmination of 18 months work by VEAC, an independent statutory authority that advises government on environmental and conservation matters. The Baillieu Government strongly supported VEAC at the 2010 election following a decision by the Brumby Government to scrap it.
"This report provides clear direction to a Victorian Government that has so far released no environment or conservation policy, before or since the 2010 election," Mr Roberts said.
"We hope the Baillieu Government supports the key recommendations of VEAC as the start of a blueprint to protect the dwindling habitat of Victoria's threatened species."
The VEAC report makes a series of key recommendations on protecting vegetation along rivers, streams and roadsides and recommends a number of new investigations into some of the state's most stressed ecosystems.
The Victorian Government must formally respond to the recommendations of this report in Parliament within six months.
"In the absence to date of any clear policy or direction on the protection of Victoria's natural environment from the Baillieu Government, recommendations to better protect public land along rivers and streams, roadsides and rail lines should be supported," Mr Roberts said.
"Additionally, this government should support recommendations to initiate new VEAC regional public land investigations into areas in South West Victoria, Central Victoria and South Gippsland "
The Coalition strongly supported VEAC prior to the last election and committed to initiating two new investigations. It now needs to back the rhetoric with action by supporting the clear policy direction for protection of the natural environment found in VEAC recommendations in this report.
VEAC's predecessor the Land Conservation Council (LCC) was originally created by the Victorian Liberal Party. Since the 1970s, nearly all major LCC and VEAC recommendations have been supported by both Liberal and Labor parties.
"Now that this VEAC investigation is finished we also recommend that the government move quickly to start the two new investigations on marine parks and threats to rivers, wetlands and estuaries promised at the last election," Mr Roberts said.
For comment
- Nick Roberts - 0429 945 429.
VEAC's Remnant Native Vegetation Investigation VNPA media backgrounder