Take action: wildlife deserve a safe future

Thinking about managing state forests in the future, which of the following aspects are most important to you?  
1. Conservation and biodiversity, 2. Protecting and preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage, 3. Education and learning about nature.

Which of these recreation activities do you do most often in state forests?
e.g. appreciation, observation or study of plants, birds or animals, camping, picnicking or barbecuing, scenic driving, sightseeing/experiencing nature, walking/hiking/bushwalking, nature photography, citizen science

Which of the following would improve your recreation experiences in state forests?
1. Something else; 2. Preserving how state forests look; 3. Providing interpretation signs/information boards that tell you relevant information about the area; 4. Providing clear and helpful signage

What else would improve your recreational experiences in state forests?
Knowing they are protected from extractive industries like mining and logging. Having allocated areas for quiest enjoyment. Proper and informed signage about the local and threatened plants and animals in the area, as well as information on First Nations. Restore habitats and areas affected by logging and inappropriate use.

What can be done to help state forest visitors to use the land in a way that protects animals and plants?
1. Something else; 2. More signs and information boards about how to protect wildlife and plants; 3. Enforce stricter rules and penalties for littering, disturbing wildlife, and damaging plants.

What else could be done?
Protecting state forests from extractive industries like mining and logging, increased funding for nature protection, pest management, restoration and enforcement, a clear zoning system to protects natural values and outlines what is/isn't allowed.

Thinking about conservation of state forests, what is most important to you?
1. Protecting particular types of forests (e.g. old growth, Rainforest); 2. Reducing pest animal populations; 3. Conservation of the forest ecosystem, including native vegetation, animal, bird, insect species and their habitat; 4. Reducing and managing the pressures from a range of forest users.

Reflecting on your answers above, what opportunities or ideas do you have on how best to manage our State forests for conservation?

Name any particular forest areas your ideas apply to.

All of the options provided need to be funded and managed. The purposes of state forests should be changed with the focus on extraction removed and emphasis placed on conservation, appropriate recreation and the protection of ecosystem services. Additionally the Forest Act (1958) needs reform and modernisation to ensure logging doesn't return through forest produce licences.

These state forests in East Gippsland have very high conservation values, but are far from exhaustive. These areas need to managed primarily for conservation values: Cottonwood, Bendoc, Errinundra Plateau, Errinundra Valley, Cabbage-tree Creek, Colquhoun, Mount Alfred, Nunniong, Kuark, Rich (Lower Brodribb), Yalmy, Coast Range, Wallagarugh, Marramingo, Tonghi, Ferntree, Upper Thurra, Angora Range/Mt Delusion, Lower Bemm River.

What types of forest activities and uses can co-exist with conservation management? How do you think these complementary objectives can be planned and managed for?
Loopholes that allow extractive industries like logging and mining must be closed, ideally through establishment of legally protect areas such as additions to existing national parks. Special Protection Zones were created by the Victorian Government as part of national commitments under now defunct regional forest agreements. They protected areas of high conservation value natural areas including threatened plants and wildlife from logging. Now those areas are at risk from extractive industry.

Adjoining existing protected areas should be prioritised for new additions and extensions to existing national parks or other protected areas. Connections, corridors and linkages between existing protected areas should be prioritised, where they protect the highest number of values. Purpose & management of state forests: If areas are to remain in state forest, the purpose of these parks must be changed. Currently they are heavily focused on extraction including a 'range of resources to supply community demands'. The focus on extraction needs to be removed and the emphasis put on: conservation, appropriate recreation and protection of ecosystem services. There needs to be clear responsibility and accountability for management of all natural values in state forests. The Forest Act 1958 needs reform. This old piece of legislation still allows for logging to return through forest produce licensed. This loophole must be closed. It also protects some feral and damaging animals like livestock and feral horses, which undermines control and management in adjacent national parks.

As part of international commitment Australia and Victoria have committed to protecting 30% of land & sea by 2030. The Great Outdoors Taskforce rejection of large new national parks fly in the face of this agreement. It should be honoured.

What forest uses or activities create challenges at the same location? How do you think these ‘opposing’ uses can be better managed at these locations?
Threatened species laws need to be applied. There are a significant number of recovery and management plans which address threats to threatened plants and animals who live in these forests. These need to be applied in the management of state forests. For example, alpine cattle grazing should be banned above 1000m in line with recommendations in a state threatened species law action statement.

There should also be a proper zoning system to clearly articulate the appropriate use for any given area based on its values. This could include: species protection areas, climate refuges, recreation-free zones, shooting-free zones and restoration areas. These zones should be supported with funded and implemented management plans.

Better enforcement of current regulations needs to be undertaken.

Recognising we all want to see our state forests thriving, how can we better plan and manage our state forests for shared uses and benefits?
Public land management in Victoria needs a significant increase in resources. State forests and parks are not allocated enough funding for core ecological management. The lack of funding for management, restoration and amenities does not reflect what is needed to keep our natural places healthy and well looked after.

More investment in pest management, threatened wildlife and habitat restoration is required.

Resources are wasted on roads, there are too many forest roads and tracks, some of these need to be reduced. Any new road or track should be offset by removing one to reduce habitat fragmentation. There needs to be a comprehensive study of the impacts of recreational activities on natural values to inform better management.

Noting the Victorian Government’s decision to end timber harvesting in state forests, what future employment and economic opportunities do you think are possible in these state forest areas?
National parks are worth more than $2.1 billion to the state visitor economy. State forests are unfriendly and unsafe. Short walks and picnics are overwhelmingly the most popular activity to do in the bush, these should be supported, with large scale accommodation focused on local towns. Sustainable and sensitive nature tourism is the economic opportunity that these areas provide.

Native forest logging could return with the stroke of pen or change of government. Loopholes, such as tree removal during fire prevention works, need to be closed to make sure these areas are permanently protected from native forest logging. These forests should be managed for nature protection, not economic gain.

Three times less people visit state forest than national parks even though they cover roughly the same area. There are only 16 million visits to state forest in Victoria and 54 million visits to national parks.

What could collaboration between land managers, Traditional Owner groups and community look like in the future? How would you or your group want to be involved in forest management planning and implementation in the future?
There needs to be proper planning process and more resources for planning and managing on a joint basis. 

We encourage you to pin places you’re familiar with, noting the activities you do and the reasons you enjoy being there.

You’ll be asked three questions.

• Share why this area is of significance to you.
• How would you like to see this area experienced into the future?
• Display name Required

An example:

East Gippsland Bendoc State Forest and Cotton Wood State Forest are endangered Greater Gliders hotspots. As these areas were less affected by large bushfires, they have become an important refuge for the world's largest gliding mammal.  These areas should be added to the Erinunderra National Park so they are protected and future generations can enjoy them.

If you are part of group or have detailed ideas you can send a written submission to the Great Outdoors Taskforce. Email address: [email protected]

Here's some key information to consider for your submission.

Locations of importance

• Identify areas of land where specific environmental management practices are required to improve biodiversity outcomes so our threatened wildlife can thrive.

• Identify key areas that are important for recreation and tourism.

• Identify areas of land where sustainable and sensitive nature tourism and recreational opportunities can be developed.

Governance and management

• Identify opportunities for Traditional Owner management and the conditions required to heal and care for Country.

• The health and wellbeing of plants and animals, cultural values, care for dreaming places and journey pathways, and restoring conditions for the return of culturally identified wildlife.

• Collaborative governance and management models for partnerships across agencies, stakeholders, subject matter experts, user groups and the general public.

Future of state forests

• Identify conservation management opportunities and activities for state forests.

• Identify models and plans that allow sustainable and sensitive recreation, tourism, and biodiversity projects to generate social and economic outcomes for regional communities.

• Identify First Nations land management perspectives and practices that support new understandings of the social, economic, and recreational relationships Traditional Owners have with Country (e.g. Biocultural Expressions, that teach us to understand the relationships between the biophysical, social, spiritual and cosmological aspects of Country).

Prioritisation process for decision-making on the 1.8 million hectares 

Prioritise areas of state forest where decisions are required in the next 1-2 years and identify areas that would benefit from further engagement and discussion before decisions should be made regarding land management outcomes.

Biodiversity background information

• The forests of East Gippsland and Northeast Victoria are some of the most diverse and loved places in the country. East Gippsland is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot.

• The forests of East Gippsland are the only place on mainland Australia with continuity of alpine through to coastal ecosystems.

• These landscapes are home to endemic crayfish, gliding possums, lush fern gullies, towering gum trees and alpine bogs and fens. The forests of eastern Victoria are home to some of the most remarkable wildlife and habitats in Australia.

• This area has been heavily impacted by native forest logging and high severity bushfires.

• We have a once in a generation opportunity to create a park and reserve system in the east and northeast of Victoria to protect these forests. The state government have opened consultation on the future management of 1.5 million hectares of native forests and woodlands.

• It is time to give the forests of Victoria’s east the meaningful protection they deserve in new parks and reserves and to protect them from extractive industries like logging and mining.

• New and expanded national parks will protect these forests forever, for everyone.

• East Gippsland occupies just 9 per cent of Victoria, yet is home to approximately one third of the state’s threatened species.

• Victoria has 215 ecological vegetation types, 75 of which are found in East Gippsland — that’s about 35 per cent of all vegetation types packed into just 9 per cent of the state

• The Victorian Government has identified East Gippsland as a flagship area for biodiversity conservation. It will potentially be an important climate refuge for wildlife when impacts from climate change become more severe.

Key points to include:

• A carefully considered network of parks and reserves should be created with the highest possible protection and management.

• These habitats and wildlife must be protected from extractive industry like mining and native forest logging.

• There needs to be better management, accountability and oversight of fire preparation.

• Increased funding for nature protection, pest management and restoration is essential.

• Traditional Owners should be given the opportunity to play a role in managing areas for conservation.

• Public land higher than 1000 meters above sea level must have grazing removed.

• All areas with alpine sphagnum bogs and associated fens ecological community (listed as endangered) should be added to the parks estate.

• All Alpine Ash and Errinundra Shining Gum populations should be added to the parks estate.

• All Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland must be added to the parks estate e.g. Briagolong Redgum Reserve.

• Areas with high numbers of threatened species such as Greater Gliders or forest owls must be added to the parks estate.

Threatened wildlife of eastern Victoria

East Gippsland

• Glossy Black Cockatoo: Critically Endangered

• Sooty Owl: Endangered

• Southern Greater Glider: Vulnerable

• Platypus: Vulnerable

• Galaxias: Five species listed as threatened

• Crayfish: Seven species listed as threatened

• 71 species of threatened birds

• 30 species of threatened mammals

• 16 species of threatened fish

• 12 species of threatened reptiles

• 8 species of threatened amphibians

• 17 species of threatened invertebrates

North East 

• Alpine bogs and fens

• Alpine Ash

• Broad Toothed Rat (Tooarrana)