Remnant Native Vegetation Investigation Discussion Paper

Council members (left to right):
Ian Harris, Barry Clugston,
Duncan Malcolm (Chairperson),
Airlie Worrall, Ian Munro
FOREWORD
The Victorian community has a great interest in, and
concern for, our remnant landscapes and native fl ora and
fauna. This is refl ected in hundreds of impressive landscape
restoration programs and inspirational initiatives in all parts
of Victoria, many of them resourced through the voluntary
efforts of individuals and community organisations.
Since 2008 when the Government requested VEAC to
undertake this investigation into remnant native vegetation
outside Victoria’s largely-intact landscapes, there has been a
substantial increase in emphasis on landscape connectivity
and the need to build resilience in the landscape.
The Government’s policy direction in the Land and
Biodiversity White Paper to build ecosystem resilience and
improve connectivity is one expression of this new focus.
The increased concern evident in the community about the
additional threats that climate change poses to biodiversity
is another.
In carrying out this investigation the Council is conscious
that there are many agencies and organisations working in
this area: scientists, policy specialists, private conservation
bodies, naturalists, land owners and land managers,
and many experienced and knowledgeable on-ground
practitioners. We have taken an approach that tries to build
on this experience, and harness the energy and enthusiasm
in the broad community. The Community Reference Group
for this investigation has provided valuable guidance to the
Council in this regard.
We are fortunate in Victoria to have access to considerable
expertise on landscape ecology, as well as to spatial
modellers who work innovatively with other scientists and
policy experts to improve tools for assessment of native
vegetation and landscape connectivity. The Council and
its staff have been supported in the analysis that provides
the basis for this discussion paper by a very constructive
collaboration with DSE’s research and policy staff, and
stimulating discussions with and expert advice from
the members of the Scientifi c Advisory Committee for
this investigation.
This is a different kind of investigation for VEAC, in
that the Council does not propose to make land use
recommendations for the many thousands of individual
public land reserves across Victoria. However, the Council
believes that it is an excellent demonstration of the way
in which VEAC’s expertise and focus can be used in
collaboration with other organisations. In particular, the
investigation utilises VEAC’s strengths in bringing together
the best science and taking it to the community for input
and discussion, before developing authoritative advice
for Government.
This discussion paper is deliberately information-rich.
Its purpose is to build a clear picture of remnant native
vegetation in all its variations across the state as a basis for
identifying priorities and the appropriate actions to address
them. In its regional consultations, the Council found that
there is an appetite for information about native vegetation
at a regional scale to inform decisions about what actions,
and at which locations, would make the best contributions
to the conservation of remnant native vegetation in Victoria.
However, the Council is aware that the community is also
interested in other specifi c matters, such as how best to
manage small public land reserves within the landscape,
and the most effective operation of incentive schemes. We
expect to pick up these themes in the fi nal report due in
March 2011.
The Council is looking forward to engaging in a discussion
with interested groups and individuals during this
consultation period.
Duncan Malcolm
Chairperson
Acknowledgment of Country
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council acknowledges and pays its respects to Victoria’s Native Title Holders
and Traditional Owners, their rich culture and their spiritual connection to Country. The Council also recognises and
acknowledges the contribution and interest of Indigenous people and organisations in the management of land and natural
resources. The Council acknowledges that the past injustices and continuing inequalities experienced by Indigenous
peoples have limited, and continue to limit, their proper participation in land and natural resource management processes.
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