VEAC River Red Gum Study

Where to next

Over the past 2 years while the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) study of the river red gum region has been running BA Victoria has taken several opportunities to make submissions when the opportunity has been available. Our latest submission on the draft recommendation may be viewed at http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/images/stories/conservation/BA_submission_riverredgum.pdf.

The submission period on the draft recommendations for the River Red Gum Study Area closed in October 2007. Final Recommendations are due to be presented to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change by 31 July 2008 and must then be released within seven days. Nearly 7000 written submissions were received by VEAC and are in the process of being placed on the VEAC website where they will be available to the public. http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/riverredgum.htm.

The Atlas data was extremely valuable when preparing our submissions. It showed that there were just over 300 species of bird recorded in the study area by the two major Atlas projects(1977-81 and 1998 - 2002). About 20% of these species were rare or uncommon, a number which have a threatened species classification in Victoria. This part of the list included regent and superb parrots, plains wanderer, painted snipe and grey-crowned babbler amongst others. Most frightening was the comparison between the two Atlas studies. This showed that almost a third of all species showed a decline of greater than 25% in reporting rates over the 20 year period between the two studies. Note that this group does not include most of the uncommon or rare species where the number of records was too small to make meaningful comparisons. Many other species showed evidence of lesser declines. If this trend continues we can predict that around half the bird species found in this area will become threatened, or worse still, locally extinct within our lifetimes.

If the final recommendations include all the major draft rec (http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/riverredgum.htm) then this will be a major step forward in the quest to provide protection for these forests. At this stage it will be up to the Minister and the Victorian Government to see that these recommendations are implemented.

Provided that the final recommendations are in line with the draft recommendations then it is important that you:

• Support the changes to water management that will result in a more natural flood and dry regime that will in the long run result in healthier forests. Already more than 70% of these forests are showing signs of stress as a result of unsatisfactory water regimes. Downstream in South Australia the mouth of the Murray is closed for much of the time and the Coorong is becoming increasingly saline and degraded. Without the changes recommended in the draft recommendations many of the other recommendations will be pointless. (http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/riverredgum/factsheets/DPP_Environmental_Water_FAQ1.pdf)
• While the volumes of water mentioned in the draft recommendations are large, they are not significantly greater than those already allocated by the Living Murray agreement. The main change is to the distribution and timing of releases so that the water that is available can be used more effectively. Note too that much of the water used for environmental purposes returns to the river and is still available for other uses downstream. Significantly more water would be required to restore all forests and wetlands to health.
• Support the cessation of duck shooting on public land. This is in line with BA policy but does not go far enough as there will still be some wetlands where shooting is allowed. (http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/images/stories/conservation/BA_policy_recwaterfowlhunt.pdf )
• Support the removal of grazing on public lands except where it is used as a management tool. Cattle do a large amount of damage to the wetlands which in turn has a major impact on all native fauna and flora.
• Support the ban on campfires during the summer months. This will reduce the number of wildfires in the forest which result from campfires. It will also make fire management easier as similar regulations will apply on both sides of the state boarder.
• Support the recommended changes to timber harvesting. In the long term these will remove some of the threats to endangered species and result in a better forest structure for the conservation of flora and fauna.
• Support the proposed new and extended national parks and other reserves. The Murray and its tributaries are important corridors that will enable species to move across the region in response to climate change. Protecting these corridors will help reduce the total impact of predicted climate change. (http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/riverredgumfactsheets.htm)
• Recommendations relating to recreational use, vehicle access and camping should not have a significant impact on these activities and will generally enhance the visitor experience.
• Recommendations for the increase in protected areas (national parks and other reserves) should be supported. In many cases links between major natural areas will be established or made possible. This recommendation will improve protection of the flora and fauna and will NOT lock up areas so that the public is unable to access them, however, it is critical that adequate funds are set aside to manage these areas.

If the final recommendations do not follow the draft recommendations as outlined above then it is even more important that you urge the government to support what was put forward in the draft recommendations document.

The VEAC process is restricted to Victoria however the northern boundary of the study area is the state boarder. Non-human species do not respect artificial, human defined boarders. For effective management of these forests and waterways we need catchment wide policies and management programs. We need willing co-operation between state governments on these matters to ensure effective conservation of these forests and wetlands.

Since the release of the draft recommendations several state politicians made public comments rejecting the draft recommendations. Having appointed an expert panel to examine the area and make recommendations on how best to manage and conserve the natural values of the area it is important that these politicians now listen to their expert advice.

When the final recommendations are released please write or email to the relevant Victorian state politicians and indicate your support for those recommendations that will enhance the natural environment of the area and improve the survival chances of our native birds.

Politician contacts.

Tell these politicians that the VEAC recommendations as detailed in the draft recommendations must be implemented.

Premier of Victoria: Hon. John Brumby, MLA. Email: john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au

Minister for Environment and Climate Change: Hon Gavin Jennings, MLC. Email: gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au

Minister for Water, Minister for Tourism and Major Events: Hon Tim Holding, MLA. Email: timothy.holding@parliament.vic.gov.au

Leader of the Opposition: Hon. Edward (Ted) Baillieu, MLA. Email: ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au

Shadow minister for Environment and Climate Chang: Hon David Davis MLC. Email: david.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au

Last updated 16 March 2008.