Nature’s Voice Victorian National Parks Association newsletter | Number 14 | October-November 2012
Federal folly angers local communities Matt Ruchel VNPA Executive Director
T
he Gillard Government wants to remove federal oversight on matters of national environmental significance and transfer many of its powers to the states. The move has sent shockwaves through the community. National environmental laws were used by the Federal Government to block the Baillieu Government’s bungled attempt to introduce cattle grazing into the Alpine National Park under the guise of ‘science’. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places. We believe the Act needs strengthening, not weakening because of pressure from big business, mining and coalition state governments, which do not act in the national interest – they are, after all, states. In fact state governments are very often developers in their own right. They build ports, freeways, roads, desalination plants and dams, and if you live in Victoria, potentially hotels in national parks.
Inside
3
Red gum railway sleeper backdown
The elusive Swift Parrot migrates from Tasmania to the mainland once a year, where it feeds on nectar and pollen produced by Victoria’s box-ironbark forests. As with other threatened species, federal environmental laws are important for its protection. Photo: Chris Tzaros
More than 150 people from inner Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and the Mornington Peninsula heard concerns from the VNPA and the Environmental Defenders Office about proposed changes to national environmental laws at public forums held across the state in September. Many at the meetings aired concerns for their own special places, including Bendigo’s Wellsford Forest (an important box-ironbark forest), and the Wombat State Forest near Daylesford, which is threatened by the development of an open cut gold mine. The forums also revealed that Melbourne, Geelong and Mornington Peninsula residents are increasingly
5
Less “red tape” a risk to bushland
6
Hooded Plovers need our help
concerned about marine and coastal development, the destruction of green wedges and critically endangered grassland habitats as well as tourism development in parks. And in a striking move the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) just last month urged the Australian Government to fulfill its international commitments by retaining its statutory powers to assess and regulate impacts on threatened and migratory species, internationally significant wetlands and World Heritage areas.
Take action Find out what you can do, visit protecttheplacesyoulove.vnpa.org.au
Have soapbox, will travel...
I
s your club or association looking for lively, thought-provoking and informative speakers? Look no further than the VNPA’s Speaker’s Corner. With years of media experience – and a passion for conservation – our campaigners are excellent and seasoned public speakers, perfect for keynote addresses, members’ nights and other engagements. Your members will get independent, informed, current information about Victoria’s natural environment and, as we encourage conversation as much as conservation, we guarantee nature has a voice and so do you.
Ann Strunks Communications & Fundraising Manager
To find out more about our Speaker’s Corner, contact Ann Strunks on 9347 5188 or anns@vnpa.org.au
Listen to Nature’s digital voice The VNPA prides itself on running a fiscally trim ship and we are always looking to find ways to get the best bang for your buck. Printing Nature’s Voice is costly
and we want to direct the funds to campaigns. For this reason we are phasing out the printed version of Nature’s Voice. You’ll love getting Nature’s Voice by email. The digital format gives you handy links to supplemental information, links to our website and more. And it means you can email your favourite conservation newsletter to friends in seconds. You will automatically get the e-version. If you want a limited version in hard copy you must contact us on 9347 5188, or email vnpa@vnpa.org.au
Come out, come out wherever you are
W
Nature’s Voice Editor: Michael Howes Design: John Sampson Printing: Tara Press Nature’s Voice is a quarterly newsletter. The deadline for our February edition is 16 January 2013. 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: 1837-6681 SAVE PAPER! To receive Nature’s Voice by email, please contact us on 9347 5188 or email vnpa@vnpa.org.au
cats and foxes are at once informative and beguiling, amusing and evocative. Screenings of the video projections begin at Federation Square on Friday, November 23. Wednesday 21 November
While scientists interpret the images for research purposes, for the artists participating in the project, the images provoke the important question: How can we relate to something we do not fully understand? The images of animals from bandicoots, antechinus, wallabies and wombats to (not so friendly) goats,
Book your spot now! To launch this amazing collaboration, La Trobe University and the VNPA are holding a premiere screening and panel discussion on fire, art, science and more at North Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday 21 November. To book your free spot at the launch phone us on 9347 5188 or visit natureinthedark.vnpa.org.au
Do you have eyes like a hawk?
P
arks Victoria is looking for volunteers with eyes like hawks for this year’s Hawkweed surveillance program on the Bogong High Plains. Native to Europe, hawkweed has only recently taken hold on mainland Australia but already poses a serious threat to biodiversity. It is now considered a significant threat to the environmental values of the Victorian Alps if not successfully eradicated. Surveys will take place during the weed’s active flowering period and will run over five days. Attendance for a full session is preferred but not essential. Accommodation will be provided at
2 – Nature’s Voice | No 14 | October-November 2012
King Devil Hawkweed
hat do our furry friends get up to when they think we’re not looking? Nature in the Dark is a series of artistic video projections exploring the hidden world of the animals of the Wombat State Forest and Bunyip State Park as never seen before on the big screen at Federation Square. The Centre for Creative Art, La Trobe University, have brought nine artists together to work on the same photographic material the VNPA is gathering for the Caught On Camera project to profile mammalian response, long term, to fire or the absence of fire.
Falls Creek with transport provided to survey areas each day. Survey dates are December 10-14, 17-21 and 27-30, January 7-11 and 14–18. Register your interest, email hawkweed@parks.vic.gov.au or phone 0428 508 299. Victorian National Parks Association
Damaged and split wooden red gum sleepers waiting for installation at Broadford.
Photo: Nick Roberts
Government breaks promise on concrete sleeper plan I
n yet another backward move, this time affecting the environment as well as regional train travellers, the Baillieu Government has walked away from a commitment to upgrade the Melbourne-Seymour train line with concrete rail sleepers, opting instead for cheaper and environmentally damaging wooden sleepers. Earlier this year the Victorian Government and V-line announced a $9 million upgrade to the popular line and promised a switch to concrete sleepers, allowing a smoother ride, faster speeds and better service. But having replaced one in every
Nick Roberts Riverside Rescue Coordinator
three or four sleepers as promised on the eastern line, the western line will use all timber – predominantly River Red Gum from NSW native forests. Wooden sleepers only last 15-18 years, less than a third of the 60year lifespan of concrete sleepers. V-line and the transport minister Terry Mulder proffer a range of excuses, but nobody can agree on
exactly why they have broken the promise to use concrete sleepers. Excuses include the cost (timber is cheaper than concrete) and the needs of freight carriers. V-line also blamed supply shortages from its producer of concrete sleepers, but Austrak, the supplier, has denied this. At least V-line and the minister agree on one thing, that the use of concrete sleepers is preferable over timber. And we agree. It’s just a shame that the environment and regional public transport users now have to suffer as a result of this bizarre decision.
Baillieu stung by firewood debacle T
he Baillieu Government is again under attack for its short-sighted firewood policy in state forests and some parks, with Central Victorian beekeepers calling for better protection of Bendigo’s Wellsford Forest. The Bendigo Advertiser has reported rare flowering ironbark trees were cut down in the recent firewood season. Local commercial beekeeper Lintt Taylor expressed alarm that the trees were felled and fears more will be logged to meet firewood demand. In a letter to the paper Mr Taylor says flowering ironbark is rare and extremely important to his industry, and the loss www.vnpa.org.au
will have “severe consequences to the production of honey on this site, with detrimental flow-on effects to pollination business”. Historically, box-ironbark parks in Central Victoria have allowed bee keeping, but were off-limits to firewood collection and logging. The VNPA believes remaining areas of state forest should also be managed under the National Parks Act to offer greater levels of protection and remove damaging logging activities. The Department of Sustainability and Environment is in denial, claiming it is being done sustainably. Sound familiar?
Clearly if the State Government maintains its firewood free-for-all policy, biodiversity loss and damage to the natural environment will continue. Firewood production does have a sustainable future in Victoria, but farm forestry on cleared land is the way to go. Paying farmers to grow firewood would benefit local economies while Victorians would get a truly sustainable product. And beekeepers would get their honey. Regional members of parliament take note: environmentalists, farmers and beekeepers are deeply concerned at the firewood fiasco, which has well and truly backfired on this government.
Nature’s Voice | No 14 | October-November 2012 – 3
Dragging our feet on burn program I
n 2010, when the Bushfires Royal Commission brought down its final report, Recommendation 57 asked the Department of Sustainability and Environment to report annually on the impacts of its fuel reduction burn program on Victoria’s biodiversity. But two years later we are still waiting for that to happen. In some ways this is not surprising – the impacts of the greatly expanded program of planned burning across the state are complex and hard to measure. And the most serious effects are most likely to appear in the long term. But DSE, backed by the scientific community, has enough information
Phil Ingamells Park Protection Project
to assess, and report on, the risks to biodiversity posed by its burn program. So much of our public land has been burnt by wildfire and planned burns in recent years that most habitat types are now close to, or well under, the minimum tolerable fire intervals prescribed for them. The result? The precautionary position of having a sufficiently broad range of age classes across our
ecosystems is pretty much impossible to achieve. And that means much of our wildlife is losing precious habitat. We believe that the Commission did not make its recommendation for an annual reckoning of impacts lightly. It had plenty of advice that there were real risks in expanding Victoria’s burn program. We believe the government should honour its commitment to report on the impacts of its burn program on our biodiversity. And it should seek an independent assessment of the effectiveness of its fuel reduction program in reducing risks to life and property in extreme fire conditions.
NatureWatch Caitlin Griffith NatureWatch Coordinator
O
ver the years NatureWatch has worked with some wonderful volunteers on a range of conservation programs including monitoring for mammals in response to fire, monitoring Grass Tree health and threatened grassland species such as the Growling Grass Frog.
Enthusiastic VNPA volunteers out in the field.
There are three ways volunteers can get involved in our projects, so if you’ve ever considered becoming a Nature Watch volunteer now’s the time to act!
make this a one-off event to put down on your list of life experiences, we don’t mind, we’ll be happy to have you along!
carry out the on-ground monitoring and often appreciate a bit of support from our VNPA volunteers.
VNPA vollies
Local community groups
Team leaders
Our VNPA volunteers always have at least one thing in common – their big-hearted desire to help protect our natural environment.
Local community groups involved in NatureWatch have many things in common but the one that stands out for me is just how passionate they are about the wonderful native species found in their little pocket of Victoria.
Every now and then we get a particularly enthusiastic and dedicated VNPA volunteer keen to become a Nature Watch team leader.
They come from all over Victoria and bring a range of life experiences. Some are ecologists, but many more are just individuals who love the Victorian bush. For VNPA vollies the first port of call when getting involved in a Nature Watch project is usually through a VNPA-organised monitoring event. These events are led by one of our great volunteer team leaders, and more often than not a scientist involved in the project. Whether you end up becoming a long-term NatureWatch volunteer or
Over the years it’s been a delight to work with and learn from the experience local groups such as the Friends of the Prom, Friends of Bunyip State Park, Wombat Forestcare and Friends of Point Addis bring to NatureWatch. We work very closely with these groups, and with scientists and land managers, to develop nature-based monitoring projects specific to each area. Once set up these local groups can
4 – Nature’s Voice | No 14 | October-November 2012
We make sure their enthusiasm is rewarded with fun and practical leadership training and that they are properly drilled in the more detailed species monitoring methods. We also make sure they are comfortable welcoming and leading volunteers in the field, can help set up species monitoring projects, help out with logistics and mentor other Nature Watch volunteers. To get involved with NatureWatch email caitling@vnpa.org.au or visit naturewatch.vnpa.org.au
Victorian National Parks Association
Less ‘red tape’ could lead to more land clearance Matt Ruchel VNPA Executive Director
P
Paper thin The consultation paper is largely a response to reviews undertaken by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) on what environmental regulations cost business. And while the government has adopted VCEC recommendations for streamlining the system, stronger recommendations such as the need to establish an independent native vegetation regulator and audit process, have been ignored. It is equally troubling to see policy www.vnpa.org.au
Many Victorian roadsides have valuable native vegetation that should be protected.
Photo: Warwick Sprawson
roperty developers and farmers have long complained that native vegetation clearing is over-regulated, so after 12 months of speculation and rumour the Baillieu Government has finally released a consultation paper on this complex topic. Although not an election commitment, the paper, Future Directions for Native Vegetation in Victoria, is the first substantial conservation policy consultation the government has attempted. Victorian environment minister Ryan Smith says it is a push to improve the government’s performance as an environmental regulator. “This will mean less red tape, more transparent decision-making and increased certainty for landholders. Most importantly, it will mean stronger environmental outcomes,” he said. Many conservationists, including the VNPA, broadly support the existing framework, but see significant opportunities for improvement, particularly given Victoria is Australia’s most cleared state. But this paper is worrying. The government is heavy on streamlining and cutting so-called “red tape”, but the promised improved outcomes for the environment are not clear.
A Sun Orchid on French Island.
moving towards a hands-off approach to environmental governance. Put bluntly, it is policy for a diminished public service and to save big business money. While the paper proposes many streamlining initiatives, we find no evidence to support the government’s assertion that the end product will result in “stronger environmental outcomes”, and we say this for the following reasons.
Less holistic approach will lead to greater confusion The government wants regulations that focus on the biodiversity value or at least threatened species value of native vegetation but exclude other important benefits native bushland brings, including providing clean air and water, controlling erosion, salinity and nutrient loss, and providing resistance to climate change. Any failure to address these other values will undervalue native vegetation and result in more land clearing. It will
also lead to greater confusion rather than the stated intent of making the regulations easier to understand for landholders.
Don’t worry about assessing the bush … it’s too expensive! Currently, native vegetation can only be removed once an on-site assessment has been carried out, usually by an ecological consultant. But the government is now saying such on-site assessment is too expensive and wants to instead assess sites remotely using existing databases – maps, modelling etc. While this data should inform the decision-making process, it should not replace on-site assessments, for the simple reason that the data is not fit for the purpose. The database was designed to inform broad, statewide environmental strategies, not as a way of assessing individual sites. Using the database to assess specific sites would be like using a map of Victoria to find your local milk bar. We believe this approach will be unfair and lead to legal challenges, especially when the computer modelling says no to one side of the fence and yes to the other.
Avoid and minimise clearing: too pesky to worry about! The government claims only a handful Continued page 8
Nature’s Voice | No 14 | October-November 2012 – 5
Queenscliff job cut fears S
ustainable Victorian seafood could be off the menu if jobs are shed at Fisheries Victoria. An online campaign launched by fisheries ecologist Joel Williams is warning that staff numbers at Queenscliff’s marine and fisheries research facility are critically low, and that voluntary redundancies could see staff numbers fall further. In the 1990s the research facility boasted more than 100 staff, but over the past two years numbers have fallen to just 30, with another 16 jobs rumoured to go through redundancies. The job cuts come at a time when the community wants to know if our fisheries are sustainable and our bays, inlets and inshore waters are healthy. To answer the many environmental issues we face, Victoria needs to
A colourful crowd gathered at the Queenscliff marine research building recently to protest against further cuts to staff. Photo: Simon Branigan
conduct more scientific research. The loss of scientific knowledge and skills from Fisheries Victoria, as well as that announced for the Department of Sustainability and Environment, will make this next to impossible. The Victorian Government is not alone in its attack on the environment
and follows on from Queensland and NSW, where frontline environmental public services are disappearing fast.
Take action Keep Victoria’s fisheries and marine science alive by signing the online petition at communityrun.org
Tide turns against super trawlers T
he Super Trawler saga has dominated headlines across Australia and now, finally, thanks to the energy and passion of recreational fishers and conservation groups that include the VNPA, the factory ship FV Abel Tasman (formerly FV Margiris) has been banned from fishing in Commonwealth waters. Numerous public policy twists and turns played out in the media until Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, put an interim stop to the Dutch-owned super trawler operating in Australian waters. The EPBC Act has been amended
Simon Branigan Marine & Coastal Project Officer
and strengthens the environment minister’s legal powers to stop super trawlers from fishing here. Scientific research will now be carried out on the environmental impacts of these floating factory ships. The public debate revealed a number of major gaps in our fisheries science that need to be addressed by the new research, including by-catch
impacts on species protected under environmental legislation, such as seals and seabirds. There is also a lack of science on localised depletion issues, and Australia’s fish stocks assessment data is nearly 10 years old. At a state level the Baillieu Government is proposing a Fisheries Notice that will ban super trawlers from operating in Victorian waters. This national campaign clearly demonstrates that public opinion can turn the tide on poor policy and secure greater protection for our marine environment.
Hooded Plovers need our help
L
isted as endangered in Victoria, Hooded Plovers have the unfortunate habit of rearing their fluffy young ones on beaches, putting them at odds with the recreational habits of most of the nation. When Parks Victoria produced their Management Plan for Mornington Peninsula National Park, they tried to accommodate dog-walking activities by only allowing dogs on leashes, and
restricting times and locations. But that hasn’t worked – unleashed dogs in rare prime plover breeding areas are reducing plover populations. Parks Victoria has put forward several new options, with a preferred plan for no dogs in the park. Submissions due by 30 November. See ‘Dog walking review’ at parkweb.vic.gov.au
6 – Nature’s Voice | No 14 | October-November 2012
Hooded Plover chick.
Photo: Glenn Ehmke
Victorian National Parks Association
Join this year’s fish count for a blue devil of a time Wendy Roberts Reef Watch Co-ordinator
Fish you might encounter on the Great Victorian Fish Count include Blue Throat Wrasse (left), Scalyfins (bottom left) and Blue Devil Fish.
V
ictoria’s social calendar boasts many great events, but there’s only one that involves a mask, fins, fish and a fish ID slate! If you’ve never been part of the Great Victorian Fish Count before then this is the year to make your splash. Join us and hundreds of other divers and snorkelers as we get up close and personal with some of Victoria’s most interesting and iconic fish. Counting reef fish at the same sites at the same time every year gives us important long-term information, such a changes to population size and distribution. If you join us to count fish at Popes Eye in Port Phillip Bay you might encounter the territorial Scalyfin, just don’t try and pinch its seaweed or it will push you away. Blue Devils have been seen at Point Nepean, Castle Rock and Port Fairy, and since this fish is a real homebody they should be there again to meet and greet this year’s fish counters. And if you are concerned you
Photo: Julian Finn
Photo: John Gaskell
Photo: Julian Finn
won’t be able to identify the fish you find don’t worry, help is just a click away. Visit fishcount.vnpa.org.au to see some of the reef fish you might encounter. This will be our eighth annual state-wide census of Victoria’s reef fish populations. We hope to see healthy reefs every year full of abundant and different kinds of fish.
Let’s hope this will be the case in 2012. The annual fish count is organised by VNPA’s Reef Watch program in partnership with Museum Victoria.
MORE INFO The Great Victorian Fish Count will be on from November 24 to December 9. For all the details visit fishcount.vnpa.org.au
✓ Yes! I want to support the VNPA with a tax deductible gift. I would like to make a regular financial contribution to provide VNPA with secure funding for critically important conservation work. I’d like to give: $50 per month $20 per month $............. a month Regular financial contributions are managed by credit card or direct debit only, with debit made on the 28th of each month. You will receive a tax receipt at the end of each financial year, and can stop or change your donations at any time. One-off Donation - I’d like to give a one-off tax-deductible donation of $................
PAYMENT METHOD
PERSONAL DETAILS
Cheque/Money order payable to ‘Victorian National Parks Association’ is enclosed. Credit card Visa Mastercard
Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Other ............................ Surname .................................................
Card no Expiry Date:
First name ............................................... Address ..................................................
/
Cardholder name .................................................................
Signature ......................................................................................................................................... Direct Debit from my Account Financial institution ...........................................................................................................................
................................................................ Suburb/Town .......................................... Postcode ................................................ Tel (BH) ................................................... Email ......................................................
Bank/Branch (BSB#) ........................... Account number ................................................................ Account holder(s) name ........................................................ Signature .......................................... over $2 are tax-deductible. www.vnpa.org.au Nature’s Voice Donations | No 14 | October-November 2012 – 7 10/12 Please post or fax with payment to VNPA, Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton 3053 OR you phone us on 03 9347 5188, fax 03 9347 5199.
OUT AND ABOUT Bushwalking and Activities Bushwalking Highlights and updates 14 November (Wed) Social Night: Hiking in Spain Hear John Bales talk about his hiking trip to Spain. Doors open 7pm at 60 Leicester Street, Carlton. Presentation starts 8pm. Wine, tea and coffee provided for a gold coin donation. Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend!
Program additions 27 October (Sat) Ben Cairn and Donna Buang Starting at Ten Mile Turnaround walk to the summit of Donna Buang via Mt Victoria for a spectacular view over the Yarra Valley from the fire tower. Travel bush tracks surrounded by
... from page 5 of high impact sites need vegetation clearing permits because, it says, only large sites have a significant impact on the ecology of an area. This ignores the two-thirds of applications to clear native vegetation assessed by local government. We believe the three-step approach – avoid, minimise and offset as a last resort – works, and should be retained and strengthened.
Offset-focused policy equals less vegetation Currently when one area of native vegetation is cleared, another of the same type and quality (or higher) and in
If undelivered – return to Victorian National Parks Association Level 3, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton 3053
towering Mountain Ash and tree ferns before tackling the Ben Cairn summit. Grade: medium, 19km. Leader: Sue Catterall – to book phone 03 9347 5188 or email vnpa@vnpa.org.au. 27-28 October (Sat-Sun) ChilternMt Pilot Base Camp Explore Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park and return to camp for good conversation. Grade: easy/medium, 20km. Leader: Fred Gerardson, to book phone 03 9347 5188, email vnpa@vnpa.org.au. 17 November (Sat) Marysville outing Visit the majestic Steavenson Falls and enjoy the views at Keppel Lookout. Marysville has revitalised many of the old trails since the 2009 bushfires.
a similar landscape must replace it. This becomes the “offset site” and must be managed for weeds, pest animals and other factors. These offset sites usually have a clause on the land title stating that they can never be cleared. While offset sites are protected from future land clearance, they can’t be created unless native bushland elsewhere has been destroyed first. Under the government’s new system, which paves the way for native vegetation to be cleared more readily, offsetting could become the norm rather than a measure of last resort.
A clear eye to the future The Victorian Government must
Grade: medium, 20km. Leader: Sue Catterall – to book phone 03 9347 5188 or email vnpa@vnpa.org.au.
Excursions 24 November (Sat): Excursion by coach to Banool-Gellibrand and Colac The main focus of this trip will be the Beechy Rail Trail along with a visit to historic Winchelsea and Gellibrand. We’ll return via Colac. To book phone phone 03 9347 5188 or email vnpa@vnpa.org.au. Grade: easy 5km. Leader: Glenn King.
More events Get the latest events from our website www.events.vnpa.org.au
maintain the integrity and best elements of the current native vegetation framework while improving its efficiency if it is to deliver on its promises. Unfortunately its native vegetation reform package comes shackled by plans to cut “red tape”, and without any evidence that the reforms will lead to improved ecological outcomes we can only assume that we will end up with a system that takes us backwards.
Take Action! The Victorian Government must get native vegetation reforms right. We urge individuals and groups to have a say on this critical issue. Visit nativeveg.vnpa.org.au to find out what you can do.
surface mail
POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA
Nature’s Voice October-November 2012
Print Post Approved PP381827/00024
Nature’s Voice is printed on recycled paper
Unless we hear from you, future editions of Nature’s Voice will be delivered to you by email – see page 2 for details.