Fool’s gold: parks face prospecting threat

3Alpine cattle grazing decision

4Locals make a stand for nature

5Logging in red gum parks

Inside

Victorian National Parks Association newsletter | Number 15 | February 2013

Nature’s Voice

The Baillieu Government has instructed the Victorian

Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) to determine which areas in eight eastern Victorian national parks should be opened to recreational gold prospecting.

This directive appears to have been based on a little-publicised pre-election promise to the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria.

The parks are the Alpine, Baw Baw, Croajingolong, Errinundra, Lake Eildon, Lind, Mitchell River and Yarra Ranges national parks, plus Lerderderg State Park west of Melbourne.

They match those proposed for prospecting by the association.

Of particular concern is that the State Government has restricted the supposedly independent VEAC to recommending which areas in these parks should be opened to prospecting, rather than whether prospecting should be allowed at all.

This precludes VEAC from finding that prospecting is incompatible with the parks’ primary goal of conservation, and recommending that it should be excluded altogether. It is clearly a perversion of the greatly respected VEAC process.

VEAC’s investigation will also be hampered by the lack of monitoring

of the environmental damage caused by metal detectors, picks, shovels and pans.

While prospecting practices can erode streamsides, harm rare plants and spread pathogens such as Phytophthora and Chitrid fungus, detailed evidence is not readily available.

This is despite monitoring being promised a decade ago when prospecting was allowed in new parks in the central Victorian goldfields region. Such monitoring never took place.

In addition to these central Victorian parks, prospecting is already permitted in most state forests, many reserves and on private land (with permission),

further weakening the case for additional prospecting areas.

The VEAC investigation will be the most rushed on record, with submissions closing on 18 February and the final report due by 30 April. There will be no draft report and only one period of public consultation.

The riches of our parks are their natural and cultural values, not the minerals that might (or might not) be found in them.

Take acTion

Send a submission to Veac by Monday 18 February. For pointers visit prospecting.vnpa.org.au. More in the enclosed flyer and at veac.vic.gov.au.

Matt RuchelVNPA Executive Director

Gold panning might be fun for tourists, but allowing prospecting in more parks would extend environmental damage.

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2 – Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 Victorian National Parks Association www.vnpa.org.au Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 – 3

Locals vow to keep up Bastion Pt fight

Editor: Michael Howes

Design: John SampsonNature’s Voice is a quarterly newsletter. The deadline for our our April-May edition is 25 March.

Address: Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton 3053

Tel: 03 9347 5188

Fax: 03 9347 5199

Website: www.vnpa.org.au

Email: vnpa@vnpa.org.au

ABN: 34 217 717 593

ISSN: 1837-6681SAVE PAPER! To receive Nature’s Voice by email, please contact us on 9347 5188 or email vnpa@vnpa.org.au

Nature’s Voice

Locals and visitors show what they think of the Bastion Point development: a white elephant that will wreck this coast. Photo: Michael Rayner

On 23 January Victorian environment minister Ryan

Smith gave Coastal Management Act approval for the ‘Option 3b’ breakwater and beach road proposal at Bastion Point, Mallacoota – a proposal that has ignited major community resistance over the past decade.

“This resistance is likely to continue,” said spokesperson for the Save Bastion Point Campaign Leo op den Brouw.

“We cannot support the Option 3b proposal in any way. So-called ‘strict conditions’ set down by the minister do not mitigate this disastrous development,” he said.

The Save Bastion Point Campaign

formed in 2004 to fight the East Gippsland Shire Council’s proposal for a large-scale breakwater and boat ramp development at Bastion Point.

“Recent consultation shows the vast majority of the community expressed opposition to it,” said Mr op den Brouw.

“Moreover, the economic case is so weak that the development is likely to become an expensive white elephant and a constant drain on public funds.

“We will continue to oppose this uneconomic and environmentally destructive project. The decision by the minister shows that no piece of Victoria’s coastline or beach is safe from poorly planned and destructive developments.”

The VNPA has also slammed the decision.

“Victorians love their beaches and unspoilt coastlines,” said Marine and Coastal Project Officer Simon Branigan.

“The State Government has again shown that it is completely out of touch with the community and continues its poor record on the environment by deciding to bury Bastion Point under a massive breakwater and bitumen road.”

Take acTion email, phone or write to

environment Minister Ryan Smith and your local MPs, saying you oppose this excessive and unnecessary coastal development.

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s Marine

Investigation has moved on to the Discussion Paper phase.

This was one of three opportunities for public comment and critical in setting the direction of the study.

The next (and last) opportunity for public input is expected to be mid-2013, after the release of the Draft Proposals.

The final report should be delivered to the Victorian environment minister by February 2014.

As previously highlighted we are trying to reduce the number of

printed Nature’s Voice newsletters. This saves money that we can use for

other purposes, and also saves paper. Please help out by sending your

email address to vnpa@vnpa.org.au, or phone us on 9347 5188.

We will produce a smaller number of photocopied versions for those without email. Park Watch will continue to be printed and mailed to members.

VEAC marine inquiry moves on

Get Nature’s Voice by email

2 – Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 Victorian National Parks Association www.vnpa.org.au Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 – 3

The latest development in the Wombat Forest gold mine saga

is that Melbourne Water says it is responsible for managing the small creek within the mining lease area, and that the company proposing the mine would have to seek its permission before mining could begin.

A permit may be required if mining

works come within 20 metres of a waterway.

Earlier, an adviser to state Resources Minister Michael O’Brien had said that the waterway was not listed as a designated watercourse or defined as a waterway under the Water Act.

He said the mining company had

to take all reasonable measures to prevent contaminated runoff from entering waterways.

Gayle Osborne of Wombat Forestcare said that the state government was failing to consult about, or explore the environmental impacts of, proposed mines in the Wombat Forest.

Melbourne Water steps in on Wombat Forest mine

On 4 January, the Federal Court added its voice to the ongoing saga

of alpine cattle grazing in Victoria.How did alpine grazing end up in the

Federal Court? Since 2011, the Victorian Government has been trying to return cattle grazing to the Alpine National Park, on the fairly laughable premise that the grazing constitutes a ‘scientific research trial’ to determine whether cattle grazing reduces bushfire risk.

The VNPA, assisted by the Environment Defenders Office, has run a strong and compelling campaign against the proposal.

In January 2012, Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke told the Victorian Government that it could not proceed with the trial under federal environmental laws, as it was ‘clearly unacceptable’ in view of the Alpine NP’s important national heritage values.

The Victorian Government, however, would not take no for an answer, and brought a challenge in the Federal Court, arguing that the minister’s decision rejecting the trial was invalid.

The Federal Court’s decision was that Minister Burke’s decision was entirely valid, and it rejected the Victorian Government’s appeal on all counts.

In addition, the Victorian Government may now have to pay Minister Burke’s legal costs.

What next? The Victorian

Alpine cattle grazing: Federal Court upholds Burke decision

Sorry cows, the Feds rightly say you don’t belong in a national park. Photo: Matt Ruchel

Grazing trial outside the park?On 23 January, Kate Dowler of the

Weekly Times reported that the VNPA would support a trial of high country cattle grazing if it were held outside the Alpine National Park.

She quotes the VNPA’s Phil Ingamells as saying Victorian Environment Minister Ryan Smith should have considered this in 2011 when the Coalition fulfilled an election promise to allow cattle back into the Alpine NP in a bushfire mitigation trial.

The VNPA has long held the opinion that, if a trial is considered at all necessary, it could be held in cattle-grazed areas outside the park which

are comparable to areas within the park.

But there are many more important aspects of fire research, and there are other ways to increase our understanding of the effectiveness of grazing to reduce fire in the alps, such as examining fire severity mapping from the 2003 fires.

Ms Dowler says that the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association is counting on the Coalition winning this year’s federal election but, as far as we are aware, the Coalition remains uncommitted to any grazing trial.

– Phil Ingamells

Nicholas CroggonSolicitor, Environment Defenders Office (Vic)

Government does have further options to question Minister Burke’s decision, or it could submit a modified proposal to Minister Burke for approval.

But of course, the most sensible option, given the Minister’s resounding rejection of grazing in the Alpine NP,

would be for the Victorian Government to abandon the ‘trial’, and accept that the ecological values of the park are the highest priority for management, as was intended when they were placed in a national park.

We can only hope.

4 – Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 Victorian National Parks Association www.vnpa.org.au Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 – 5

The VNPA and the Environment Defenders Office have been

holding joint workshops with community groups to discuss how proposed changes to habitat protection rules (native vegetation clearing regulations) might impact on local communities.

Meetings have generally been held in municipalities with the highest rates of permitted land clearing, specifically at Pakenham, Belgrave, Blackburn, Broadford, Rosebud, Frankston, Bairnsdale, Mallacoota and Bendigo. Other locations including Geelong and Ballarat are soon to follow.

Key concerns emerging from the workshops include: • A serious lack of consultation

and information by the State Government about these important proposed changes.

• Existing rules controlling clearing and degradation of native vegetation are poorly implemented and not monitored, and their effectiveness is being undermined – as was often demonstrated by local examples from attendees.

• The changes will mean the loss of many more small patches of bush and old trees, possibly leaving some areas without the natural spaces or landscape they now enjoy.

• Housing development is being encouraged in bushland areas (e.g. around Bendigo and on the Mornington Peninsula), putting new residents at risk from bushfire unless they clear significant areas around their homes. Attendees were eager to help raise

awareness of the proposed changes, and some have already started writing to Ministers and State MPs, inviting local Councillors to a ‘what do you stand for?’ night hosted by a local environment group, and talking to local media.

The State Government has said that it intends to run a second round

of consultation opportunities for interested parties to comment on more detailed information, before the changes are embedded in the Planning Scheme.

Despite an otherwise almost non-existent consultation process, the first round of consultation received 200 responses – showing that there are plenty of people who care about protecting Victoria’s habitats.

Take acTion contact your local MPs and let

them know you’d like to see Victoria’s Native Vegetation Policy strengthened, not weakened. More info at nativeveg.vnpa.org.au.

ask your local councillors how they will ensure their council protects native vegetation in the face of the State Government’s proposed changes.

Locals stand up for habitat protection

Yasmin Kelsall VNPA volunteer & native vegetation consultant

The Victorian Government has announced a full 12-week duck

hunting season this year, from Saturday 16 March to Monday 10 June.

Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said above-average rainfall between 2010 and 2012 had significantly increased game duck numbers

throughout eastern Australia.There is a bag limit of 10 game

ducks. All duck hunters must pass an identification test on their ability to identify waterfowl species.

Conservationists say recreational duck hunting should be banned on cruelty grounds.

Laurie Levy from the Coalition against Duck Shooting says rescuers will return to the wetlands again this season to provide urgent veterinary care to wounded birds.

He says they also will try to ensure duck hunters who break the law are prosecuted for cruelty offences.

Protests expected as full duck hunt announced

Like all plants and animals, Tawny Frogmouths need habitat. Photo: Jude Deland

4 – Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 Victorian National Parks Association www.vnpa.org.au Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 – 5

The Baillieu Government appears to have learnt nothing from its

failed attempts to reintroduce cattle to Victoria’s Alpine National Park.

This time, it’s logging in the River Red Gum national parks on the Murray River, specifically Barmah NP. And NSW is in on the act too.

Following community debate and media coverage, promoted by the VNPA, the Victorian and NSW governments referred the proposal for ‘ecological thinning’ to the Commonwealth over the Christmas holiday period. The Federal Government’s required 10-day consultation period ended on 22 January.

The VNPA, concerned scientists and other stakeholders submitted strong evidence to show that any move to reintroduce logging to the Barmah-Millewa wetlands was likely to have a significant impact on an area of national environmental significance.

The logging proposal is based on the theory that drought-stressed red

gums need thinning to improve canopy condition. But the key driver for red gum health is water, and over the past two years most of the Barmah and Millewa wetlands received their best flooding in decades.

As with cattle grazing in the Alpine NP, National Party politics appear to be driving the decision. Local Nationals MPs have been promising access to

these areas for firewood and thinning operations.

The VNPA supports sound, science-based restoration management in national parks where appropriate. In fact, we generally supported small-scale, targeted thinning trials in Barmah in 2010. These trials were halted following extensive flooding, and never recommenced.

Any new trial will see large industrial-scale commercial logging machinery introduced into a Ramsar wetland for no valid reason.

We hope now that federal environment minister Tony Burke will again step in to save our national parks from the hands of backward-looking state governments.

SToP PReSS In a welcome move Tony Burke has determined that this ‘trial’ is a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act and will require assessment and approval. A public environmental report must be prepared by the Victorian and NSW governments and there will be further community consultation.

We call on the Victorian and NSW governments to scrap the proposed thinning ‘trial’ and put more funds into park management.

Western forests opened up to logging

Thin excuse for loggingNick RobertsRiverside Rescue Coordinator

Large-scale native forestry in Victoria is mostly confined to the east of the

state, particularly Gippsland and the Central Highlands. Logging in the west is mainly in plantations and privately owned forests.

DSE runs some commercial operations in western Victoria for limited sawlog and firewood production. This largely taxpayer-subsidised logging runs at a loss.

But the Baillieu Government is now extending native forest logging to state forests in western Victoria that the VNPA believes should be upgraded to State Parks.

In December, Victorian Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh announced that the government would reopen the

Mount Cole and Pyrenees Ranges state forests near Beaufort and Avoca to commercial logging under a ‘trial’ that would allow silvicultural harvesting and salvaging of storm-damaged trees.

The ‘trial’ will run for a year, with 600 cubic metres of timber to be taken. Full-scale logging could then return to Mount Cole for the first time since 2004.

The VNPA believes that this is yet another serious backward step for biodiversity protection in Victoria.

In our 2010 report ‘Better Protection for Special Places’ (available on the VNPA website) we identified Mount Cole and Pyrenees Ranges as having vegetation of high conservation significance, and wildlife species

that are ‘vulnerable’ statewide.We recommend that both areas

should be given State Park status to ensure their protection against threats like logging, weeds and pest animals, and off-road vehicle use.

We also call for greater investment in and development of private farm forestry, where farmers grow trees and sell timber for firewood and other products.

The Baillieu Government is already pushing species to extinction through large-scale logging in eastern Victoria. It now appears to be turning its sights on the native forests in the west to appease local supporters. – Nick Roberts

Drought-stressed red gums need water, not logging. Photo: Nick Roberts

6 – Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 Victorian National Parks Association www.vnpa.org.au Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 – 7

Baillieu hands back feral horse moneyThe Baillieu Government has

returned most of the money from a Commonwealth grant given to Victoria to help manage the spread of feral horses in the Barmah area.

The 2009 grant of $400,000 over several years was to help Parks Victoria work with community and Indigenous groups to remove feral horses humanely from Barmah.

Conservation groups say that as in the Alpine National Park, feral horses should be removed to limit environmental damage. Barmah has some 300 horses, compared with at least 6000 in Victoria’s alpine area.

Scientists and government agencies acknowledge that feral horses have an

impact on palatable native plants in the Barmah wetlands, as well as physically damaging wetland areas and associated vegetation.

The previous Labor government had only spent $67,000 of the grant in its first year. The Baillieu Government has since returned the remaining $330,000.

Local brumby enthusiasts want some feral horses kept in Barmah National Park for heritage and tourism reasons.

A spokesman for state environment minister Ryan Smith said the government had reviewed the feral horse program and formed an Advisory Committee to advise on developing and running a feral horse management program.

Because of the changed focus, the Victorian Government had sought to vary the agreement. But the Commonwealth Government rejected this because it was not consistent with the original project.

The State Opposition says the return of the Barmah grant is a waste of money, especially given budget cuts to the state environment and primary industries departments.

The VNPA’s Nick Roberts said that the Baillieu Government complained loudly about parks and public land management, but failed to deliver on a key park project when the money had been made available.– Nick Roberts, with acknowledgements to The Age, 26 December 2012

Community locked out of public wetlandsVisitors to public wetlands will

be locked out by a curfew being introduced by the Baillieu Government for the duck-hunting season.

These areas will be off-limits to visitors from two hours before sunset to 10 the next morning.

For example, Loch Garry close to Shepparton is popular for picnics, camping, bushwalks and fishing. Few duck shooters use it, but it will be under curfew.

Duck shooters make up only 0.4% of Victoria’s population, and certainly

don’t have support for exclusive access to public wetlands for three months of the year.

The VNPA deplores this discriminatory curfew, and urges the State Government to keep public space open to all citizens.

Rare snap in an unguarded momentOur ‘Caught on Camera’ cameras

had a busy 2012 capturing mammals in action at night in Wombat State Forest and Bunyip State Park.

Reports on this project are in preparation, but we’re giving you a sneak preview of two of our highlight Bunyip SP finds – the Long-nosed and the Southern Brown Bandicoot!

The bandicoot is nationally listed as an endangered species, and the Friends of Bunyip were thrilled by this find. Southern Brown Bandicoots were once very common across SE Australia, but are now known at very few sites.

Most people probably don’t know Long-nosed Bandicoots are living on Melbourne’s doorstep. These nocturnal animals use their distinctive

long nose to burrow holes and find insects.

Volunteer John Kotsiaris has enjoyed sorting through the Bunyip images.

“When you’re out in the bush you don’t get to see most of these animals,” he says.

“I’ve never seen a bandicoot or antechinus in the wild but it’s great to have photographic evidence of our local native mammals. These images make me appreciate the value of the forests much more.”

– Caitlin Griffith, NatureWatch Co-ordinator

Southern Brown Bandicoot at bait station and (inset) Long-nosed Bandicoot.

6 – Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 Victorian National Parks Association www.vnpa.org.au Nature’s Voice | No 15 | February 2013 – 7

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2/13

Congrats Eileen, 90 years young!On 8 January, past and present

VNPA members and staff, and other friends and family, attended the 90th birthday of Honorary Life Member Eileen McKee, a member since 1968 and the VNPA’s first Office Manager, working from 1975 to 1987 and making a major contribution to the Association.

Eileen, who was in the Women’s Land Army during World War II, joined the VNPA because “as a former resident of East Gippsland, I was interested in the plants of the region and opposed to the plan to build a coast road linking Marlo and Mallacoota that the Shire of Orbost promoted”.

In 2006 she produced the booklet My Life in the VNPA Office 1975-1987, a valuable record of the personalities and activities of the VNPA during this

Eilenn McKee’s 90th birthday gathering. Eileen in centre; L-R: VNPA identities Lorna Johnson, Geoff Durham, Barbara Vaughan (with dog), Jane Calder, Phil Ingamells, Michael Howes, Marg Hattersley, Malcolm Calder, Dick Johnson. Photo: courtesy Jim McKee

Weed busters needed for alps volunteer weekendCalling all volunteers for our coming

Alps weekend of willow removal and more on the Bogong High Plains!

Places are still available for a long weekend in the magnificent Alpine National Park, engaged in high plains recovery work under the guidance of Parks Victoria.

Participants should arrive at Falls

Creek on the evening of Friday 22 February. We’ll be working through the weekend and on the morning of Monday 25 February, returning home on Monday afternoon.

Car pooling can be arranged. Note that a moderate level of fitness is required.

Please apply now by emailing

vnpa@vnpa.org.au with your name and contact information and mentioning ‘Alps Weekend’, or calling 03 9347 5188.

Your place on the VNPA’s team of volunteers will be confirmed, and further information sent to you, as soon as we have finalised accommodation arrangements.

very active period for the organisation.As well as Office Manager, Eileen

served as a member of Council and as editor of Park Watch. She has also been a regular volunteer in the

office and on activities such as the Hindmarsh tree-planting project.

We congratulate and thank Eileen, who is in good health and spirits, and wish her many happy returns!

OUT AND ABOUT Bushwalking and Activities

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Unless we hear from you, future editions of Nature’s Voice will be delivered to you by email – see page 2 for details.

Bushwalking

February 2013Nature’s Voice

VNPA bids farewell to Shanti, welcomes HeathAt the end of January we said a

sad farewell to VNPA Finance and Operations Manager Shanti Fowler and extended a warm welcome to her replacement Heath Rickard.

Since joining us in January 2010, Shanti has done a fantastic job looking after the Association’s finances and keeping the office running smoothly. VNPA Council, staff and members all thank her sincerely for her commitment and thoroughness.

Shanti and husband Bjorn are heading to the island of Nias off Sumatra for two years to work as

volunteers with the local community on developing sustainable ecotourism. We wish them all the best in this challenging adventure!

Heath, who enjoys camping and growing vegies, has worked in the corporate, higher education and government sectors, most recently managing the Telstra Foundation’s Community Development Fund.

Earlier, he managed grant portfolios at the Community Broadcasting Foundation with a focus on Indigenous broadcasting. He has also worked for, and volunteered, with a range

of community organisations.Heath and partner Felicity live in

Watsonia with their children Raoul, Asim and Indigo.

Highlights and updates

BWAG Trivia Night – Thur 21 Feb

Lots of prizes and fun on the night! This is a fundraising evening with proceeds going to the VNPA.

The trivia night will be held on Thursday 21 February 6pm for 6.30pm start at the Collingwood Senior Citizens Centre, Eddy Ct, Abbotsford (Melway: 2C H10).

Cost: $20. Come by yourself or with a group (tables of 8).

RSVP essential: VNPABWAG.Social@gmail.com or phone Sue Catterall on 0417 526 519, or Russell Bowey on 0417 328 651.

Excursions16 February (Sat)

Coach trip to Sorrento and Portsea, with special visit to the Quarantine Station, Point Nepean.

Leaders: Marj Sproat and Larysa Kucan. Cost: $45.00.

16 March (Sat)

Coach to Warburton and Mt Donna Buang. Walk through the tree tops at Cement Creek, see historic Mont De Lancey homestead (Wandin).

Leaders: Larysa Kucan and Julie Nunn. Cost: $45.

20 April (Sat)

Coach excursion to Maryborough with walks in and around the historic township. Leader: Glenn King. Cost $40.

Enquiries and bookings: Larysa Kucan 9347 3733, Jan Lacey 9329 8187.

For your diary

Forests Forever Easter Ecology Camp, 29 March – 1 April

Goongerah, East Gippsland. Experience East Gippsland’s amazing forests and their plants and animals. Cost: $60 for four days. Info and bookings: see eastgippsland.net.au or phone 5154 0145.

Thanks Shanti (above) and welcome to Heath Rickard!