Draft Proposals Paper - Full - Victorian Environmental Assessment ...

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Published by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne 3002, July 2007. Also published on www.veac.vic.gov.au © Victorian Environmental Assessment Council 2007 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Printed by Communications Management Australasia Pty Ltd, 2/47 Wangara Road, Cheltenham 3192. This report is printed on 100% recycled Gloss ReArt paper composed of 90% plus post consumer waste with a de-inking process that utilises hydrogen peroxide rather than chlorine. It is ISO 14001 certified and Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited. Design by Mauhaus, www.mauhaus.com.au. ISBN 978-1-74152-785-6 For more information contact the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council on (03) 9637 9902 or 1800 134 803 toll free Australia-wide, or email veac@dse.vic.gov.au. Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Photographic Credits: James Fitzsimons, Natasha McLean, Mel Mitchell and Paul Peake. iv River Red Gum Forests Investigation July 2007
FOREWORD The River Red Gum forests and their associated ecosystems are ecologically, socially, culturally and economically significant to all Australians. The community values the various natural assets, benefits and services derived from these ecosystems. Across the Investigation area, public land is widely used for recreation, forestry, grazing and conservation. During the course of this Investigation we have identified that past and current uses, as well as increasing population pressures, are affecting the long-term viability of the forests and wetlands. Changing river flows in the River Murray and its Victorian tributaries compound these impacts and affect the health of the entire river system, particularly the floodplains. The long-term maintenance and protection of the region’s biodiversity is underpinned by a park and reserve system in the River Red Gum Forests Investigation area, which aims to include representative examples of all ecosystems. However, parks and reserves in themselves, will not guarantee the protection of the natural values of the forests and wetlands. Protection of these values is ultimately dependent on an adequate and appropriately timed water flow regime across the entire River Murray system, including the floodplains. In formulating its draft proposals VEAC was conscious of the need to consider the potential impact of climate change on these ecosystems and the need to maintain and enhance connectivity across the landscape. We recognise the strong association that Indigenous Traditional Owners have with much of the Investigation area. Many of these groups would like to be more involved in managing public land. While Victoria is a leader in many fields of land management, our state lags well behind other Australian jurisdictions in recognising the benefits both to Aboriginal people and to land managers of sharing land management. We propose mechanisms to increase the participation of Indigenous people in public land management, whilst also acknowledging that adequate capacity and training is necessary for this to be successful. The process of selecting specific areas of public land for high levels of protection is often controversial. For example, the forests in the Investigation area are currently used for many purposes, with many community and industry groups having used the forests for generations in a relatively unrestricted manner. Despite the differing views expressed by the community about the future management of public land in the region, it is clear that all groups and individuals share a deep concern for the wellbeing of the River Red Gum forests. Council members. Front row left to right: Duncan Malcolm, Chairperson; Jill McFarlane; Jan Macpherson. Back row left to right: David Mercer; Barry Hart. Throughout the Investigation process VEAC has heard strong arguments for multiple-use approaches to public land use and environmental management. We believe that, across the Investigation area, these draft proposals provide for multiple uses of public land whilst also protecting the unique ecology of the region. In drawing up its draft proposals VEAC has sought and carefully considered information on the social and economic implications of its recommendations. We acknowledge that changes in categories of public land will adversely affect some individuals and groups. On balance, however, VEAC believes that the environmental outcomes sought will, in the medium to long term, outweigh any short term costs. Where such costs are incurred by individuals or particular groups, VEAC recommends that the government provide assistance to those affected. Council greatly appreciates the assistance it has received from the community to date and particularly the hundreds of thoughtful and often detailed submissions. We expect that the proposals in this paper will be energetically debated by the public and look forward to receiving the further views of everyone with an interest in this unique area. Your input is encouraged as we develop our Final Report to go to the Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change in February 2008. Mr Duncan Malcolm (Chairperson) Associate Professor David Mercer Ms Jan Macpherson Professor Barry Hart Ms Jill McFarlane ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council acknowledges Traditional Owners within the Investigation area, their rich culture and their spiritual connection to Country. This includes the Bangerang, Bararapa, Dhudoroa, Dja Dja Wurrung, Jarra Jarra, Jupagulk, Latje Latje, Ntait, Nyeri Nyeri, Robinvale, Tati Tati, Taungurung, Wadi Wadi, Wamba Wamba, Way Wurru, Wergaia, Yorta Yorta and Yulupna peoples. We also recognise and acknowledge the contribution and interests of Indigenous people and organisations in the management of land and natural resources. Finally, we acknowledge that past injustices and continuing inequities experienced by Indigenous people has limited, and continues to limit, their participation in land and natural resource management processes. Draft Proposals Paper for public comment v
Page 1: River RedGum Forests Investigation
Page 5 and 6: Contents What is the Victorian Envi
Page 7 and 8: Fauna Reserve and Mooroopna Recreat
Page 9 and 10: the different aspirations of differ
Page 11 and 12: Draft Proposals Paper for public co
Page 15 and 16: 1 Introduction The River Red Gum fo
Page 17 and 18: • the desirability of greater inv
Page 21 and 22: GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Implementat
Page 23 and 24: There is also likely to be variatio
Page 25 and 26: The simple account above serves to
Page 27 and 28: Increasing Indigenous involvement i
Page 29 and 30: The draft proposals presented here
Page 31 and 32: RECOMMENDATIONS Aboriginal advisory
Page 33 and 34: experience—especially if people a
Page 35 and 36: impetus for the removal of grazing
Page 37 and 38: RECOMMENDATIONS General recommendat
Page 39 and 40: RECOMMENDATIONS Murray-Sunset Natio
Page 41 and 42: individual wetlands as new nature c
Page 43 and 44: RECOMMENDATIONS Terrick Terrick Nat
Page 45 and 46: However, because of the intensity o
Page 47 and 48: RECOMMENDATIONS Warby Range-Ovens R
Page 49 and 50: used by Lower Murray Water for dire
Page 51 and 52: B4 Kings Billabong Park The propose
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B7 Nyah-Vinifera Park The proposed
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C State forests The River Red Gum f
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C1-C2 Benwell and Guttram State For
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considerably. There has also been s
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D25 Pyramid Creek Nature Conservati
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E Historic and cultural features re
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considers that the new reservation
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G Natural features reserves Natural
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RECOMMENDATIONS Public land water f
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I Community use areas Designated co
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J Services and utilities areas Nume
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RECOMMENDATIONS General recommendat
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Draft Proposals Paper for public co
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every five years. The costs of prov
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camping will be prohibited in locat
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domestic stock grazing on public la
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Parrots, require hollows in mature
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The two main types of socio-economi
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The six samples used in the surveys
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Demographic data Demographic data (
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Conclusions It is apparent from the
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three towns and the only one with r
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River Red Gum Forests Investigation
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APPENDIX 3: Extract of Report on th
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Access to public land areas within
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Workshop program and presentations
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they were to be involved in a simil
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Section 4 of the report “Demystif
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Figure 2 Current Options being Purs
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Participation in management of publ
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opportunities where ‘service cont
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What we would like to see happen A
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Last word - Aboriginal cultural her
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Organisation Contact Sub. Period No
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Organisation Contact Sub. Period No
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 Mr R. Berb
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 Ms Claire
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 Ms Louise
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 Ms Helen K
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 Ms Bernade
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 M- & M- L.
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 Mr Peter S
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Name Sub. Period No. 1 2 Mr Zach Wo
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APPENDIX 6: Species names used in t
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Recommendations for natural feature
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Recommendations for natural feature
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APPENDIX 10: Reservation status of
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