Victoria Passes Legislation To Protect River Red Gum Forests
The Brumby Labor Government’s historic legislation to protect Victoria’s iconic river red gum forests and create an unprecedented national park network along the Murray last night passed through Parliament.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the new laws, which will protect more than 140,000 hectares along the Murray, Goulburn and Ovens Rivers in four new national parks and other parks, was a landmark achievement.
“The Parks and Crown Land Legislation (Amendment) River Red Gum Bill 2009 affords some of the most significant environmental protection in Victoria’s history,” Mr Jennings said.
“The drought and climate change have caused as many as 70 per cent of the red gum forests to come under immense stress and face extinction so it is important that the Brumby Labor Government is taking action to protect these amazing trees, some of which are estimated to be more than 400 years old.
“The Brumby Labor Government is extremely proud of this landmark legislation that delivers on our commitment to protect the red gums but also ensures the forests continue to be a place where Victorians can undertake recreational activities such as fishing, camping and bushwalking.
“These river red gum parks will create a Brumby Labor Government legacy that will protect these significant ecosystems for the benefit of all Victorians.
“It is just such a shame that the Opposition continued to trash 40 years of bipartisan support for environmental proposals generated by the Victorian Environment Assessment Council and its predecessor, the Land Conservation Council.
“Ted Baillieu and the Liberals have been silent on this issue for more than a year and now we know why, they want to condemn these incredible icons to extinction.”
Mr Jennings said the legislation creates the Barmah, Gunbower, Lower Goulburn and Warby-Ovens National Parks as well as the Gadsen Bend, Kings Billabong and Nyah-Vinifera parks, the Kerang and Shepparton regional parks and the framework for creating the Murray River Park.
“One of the most important aspects of the legislation is that it creates historical partnerships with Traditional Owners of the land who will co-manage national parks,” he said.
“This is the first time a Victorian national park has been created in partnership with traditional owners. So in addition to the environmental outcomes, the historic arrangement brings to the Yorta Yorta and Wadi Wadi people important cultural, economic and social benefits.”
Mr Jennings said the Brumby Labor Government’s $38 million Red Gum package would also create a range of employment opportunities in local communities, including an additional 30 Parks Victoria staff and 10 people to construct fencing and ecological thinning of trees.
Topics: amendment, Australia, Brumby Labor Government, climate change, community, culture, drought, economic benefits, Economy, environment, environmental protection, Goulburn, Governance, Murray, National Park, Ovens, Parks and Crown Land Legislation, River Red Gum Bill 2009, River Red Gum Forests, social benfits, society, Victoria, Wadi Wadi, Yorta Yorta
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