Locked Out - Is our public land too good for us?
Motorised Recreation and Camping
The Octopus - How the Bracks Government controls interest groups
The Pineapple - Why submissions to Government are pointless
PUSH FOR THE BUSH…THE LOSS OF ACCESS
“is our public land too good for us?”
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We have written a brief summary of how lost access to public land is affecting Mountain Cattlemen, Timber and Firewood harvesters, Horse Riders, Four Wheel drivers and Trail Bike riders, Prospectors , Bee keepers , Hunting and Trout fishing as well as identifying the poor performance of DSE / Parks.
In the last six years, Victorians have had a dramatic reduction of various types of access to their public land….their land. The trend affects all types of recreation and commercial activities. It also means Victorians are finding it harder and harder to purchase the wonderful products produced on their public land and, for no good reason. Do you remember when you could buy ample local eucalyptus oil, not synthetic imports? It means the value of grazing as a management tool is almost lost and what about the future for local honey? Why can’t you catch a trout for dinner in our High Country Rivers? How safe are visitors in our water catchments with the huge fuel loads on the ground in the bush? Freedom to go 4W Driving, horse riding or trail bike riding to enjoy your bush heritage is under a cloud. Will you be able to buy a piece of red gum furniture in the future or even try your luck at prospecting for gold?
THIS TREND TO LOCK EVERYTHING UP MUST STOP NOW!
Read below what’s going on
True to the theory of “The Octopus”, the Bracks Government appointed a taskforce of Government backbenchers to report on Alpine Grazing. We now know, the outcome was already decided --------- Kick the Cattlemen out of the High Country - because the Bracks Government needed to toady for Green preferences.
The Taskforce consisted of Ian Maxfield, Chairman ( Narracan), Robert Mitchell (Central Highlands), Jenny Lindell ( Carrum) and Tony Lupton (Prahran)
Remember these names.
This committee kept the Mountain Cattlemen talking and wearing them down for more than a year, while at the same time the Government was preparing detailed plans to destroy them.
Legislation, media tactics, fraudulent photos, tame scientists, conservation groups and the politics of envy were employed. Spin, Spin, Spin was planned and when it was ready and at a good time for it, the Government created negative perceptions of the Cattlemen and then did the Cattlemen over.
It was classic “The Octopus”
The Bracks Government stole every Victorians’ heritage, culture and destroyed special and irreplaceable, living High Country history.
It also took both the Cattlemen’s leases in the Alpine Park and the Mountain Cattlemen’s family’s special and hard won connection to the land that went back 170 years.
It took away the benefit of grazing as a management tool.
One Government tactic to handle the possible fall out, was to de personalise the Cattlemen and their role. Not a positive word was uttered by Mr Bracks or his Ministers, about the valuable contribution made by the Cattlemen and the value of grazing as a management tool over the past 170 years. This was a disgrace and the ultimate insult.
Part of the Governments spin was that 10,000 cattle would still graze in adjoining State Forest. The MCAV estimate the figure is more like 4000 and in small numbers, running in scattered remote places, making it impossible for the culture and traditions of the Cattlemen to be continued. The High Plains were the icon and they were taken.
The Barmah Cattlemen are now under serious threat with an inquiry which we also believe has a pre determined outcome…Which is …..Do over the Barmah Cattlemen!
Currently, the Government has a process running to look at the many uses in Victoria’s State Forest, including grazing. They have used the Montreal Protocol and similar European and USA references (only 5 of the 72 studies are from Australia) to formulate their “Framework of Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria”. This can only mean one thing; more closure of access and the total demise of what’s left of the Mountain Cattlemen and grazing generally in forests.
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TIMBER AND FIREWOOD, WE ARE AVOIDING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
This is the hidden story of how the State Government has used lazy and opportunistic policies to win the support of the Greens. It cares for environmental votes much more than it actually cares for the environment. But it couldn’t care less if it almost destroys an industry and stops Victorians from accessing its own high quality timber and firewood.
How does the Government attract the Greens? Easy, just close down more areas to harvesting sawlogs and stop the access to suitable timber for firewood.
It seems to make no difference to the Government that Victoria has the best managed forests in the world and the fact that the quality forests of the distant future will only be the ones regenerated after harvesting. (This is because the forests that are presently locked up and unavailable for logging will eventually die and will be replaced by different trees unless there is fire or intervention by man.)
The result of this lazy and poor public policy by several State Governments is that Australia has a trade deficit in Wood products of more than two Billion dollars. (Victoria about 500 Million dollars)
Despite the fact we could easily supply our own Timber requirements; the Bracks Government has closed up vast areas of forest to harvesting over recent years. We are now forced to import more and more of our timber needs from Asian rainforests. This situation, caused by Government policy, is almost immoral because we are avoiding our basic responsibilities to provide for ourselves when we can, but instead allow Asian rainforest timber to supply our needs.
Given the above situation, we cannot accept more closures of forests by Government to pacify the Greens who take no responsibility for their actions
Many rural people, who have few options for heating and cooking, cannot get firewood, yet it all lies rotting in the forest, causing a fire hazard.
One example of the Government’s flawed actions is the Otways where the previous small amount harvested annually for timber was scientifically classed as being fully sustainable FOREVER. Despite this advice the Government closed the forest and stopped logging and other access, for Green preferences, claiming that private investment plantations can make up the shortfall of timber. This is false and just more spin, not good public policy. There are plenty of Blue Gum plantations but they are grown for pulpwood. Even if they were pruned and thinned and grown to sawlog size (taking at least another twenty years) they would still only yield a small volume of poor quality and high cost timber compared with what we already have in sustainably managed forests.
Despite this, the Greens, Mr Bracks and his Ministers keep claiming plantations can supply Victoria’s timber needs. This was convincingly and scientifically refuted on 20 September by Mr Glen Kile, Executive Director of the Federal Government’s Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Council. At a seminar sponsored by VAFI, Mr Kile presented a paper titled “Why plantations will never replace native forests in Victoria” It may be read on line at link www.vafi.org.au
In brief, Mr Kile told the large gathering that plantations grown for chips are not suitable for sawlogs, as management is different. The few sawlog plantations growing now could only supply a very small percentage of Victoria’s needs when they come on stream; and that even if enough area was planted tomorrow to supply Victoria’s needs, it would not be ready until 2030. He virtually said it was impossible. He made the point that investors are not attracted to sawlog plantations because of the long growing time and that it is unlikely that enough will ever be planted to replace the present sustainable supply from Victorian native forests. He also said that if the Red gum forests are closed to harvesting it will be impossible to purchase Red gum timber of any kind.
Forests closed to Timber and firewood since 2000 include The Box Iron Bark, The Wombat, The Otways and more in East Gippsland. It appears the Red Gum along the Murray will be next. This has put more pressure on the remaining available native forest areas with the annual amount available for sawlogs falling below 500,000 cubic meters. It gets worse, as the monopoly supplier of the resource (guess who!) jacks up the price of the logs through a new pricing system for the logs.
Because of this Government-created crises, timber companies are closing down or are amalgamating, which means fewer jobs and a further demise of country towns.
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THIS? WE SAY NO WE ARE NOT
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DSE AND PARKS VICTORIA (‘THE NEIGHBOURS FROM HELL')
These two Government land managers have attracted strong and sustained criticism from many sections of the Victorian community
Many people who visit and work on our Public Land, and owners of adjoining private land have just cause to be scathing of the attitude and management policies of DSE/Parks Vic and hence the emergence of the nickname " The neighbours from hell"
Weeds and Feral animals are exploding on Public Land without check, and then invade adjoining private land.
Fuel loads on Public land are extreme and despite the Governments spin, fuel reduction programs are not making any progress in reducing the risk and especially the intensity of damaging wildfire. Qualified bushfire and Forestry experts have recently again expressed concern at the situation. They quote instances like the remote Wonangatta Station valley where many people visit in the summer. After a visit to the valley last summer with some experienced Mountain Cattlemen and fire experts, Rod Incoll (former Victorian Chief Fire Officer) and David Packham OAM (former CSIRO scientist) made the comment “if a fire started at the top end of the valley on a bad day, some people might survive"
When Bushfires start on Public Land, they are mostly very intense because of the huge fuel loads and it is the adjoining private land owners that suffer. .Fencing, buildings and stock are all at risk with no responsibility taken by the Public Land managers
Native Vegetation
It is the DSE that sets Government policy on native vegetation guidelines. Shires then administer the rules set by DSE.
Native Vegetation rules are extreme, do not have flexibility, and are gravely affecting the rights of private landowners. Shire employees have the power to become little dictators and be the prosecutor, the judge and then set the penalties without proper accountability. Landowners feel helpless and are at a loss how to handle this unfair situation. – see our story on Kuster’s Stand.
TELL US YOUR STORY ABOUT "THE NEIGHBOURS FROM HELL” NATIVE VEGETATION AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES
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FIRE MANAGEMENT AND HOW INTENSE WILDFIRE ADVERSELY AFFECTS OUR WATER CATCHMENTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Where do we start!
HORSERIDING ACROSS OUR LAND, OUR PUBLIC LAND, INCLUDING NATIONAL PARKS
Following European settlement the horse was widely used by explorers, surveyors, cattlemen, timber cutters and miners
Banjo Paterson immortalised the skill of mountain riding in the poem “The Man From Snowy River”…. ,’and stockmen tell the story of his ride,’( as do modern day horse riders - and dreamers.)
Today, it is the ultimate dream for recreational horse riders to ride on public land including National Parks, especially in the remote and special parts of Victoria.
Popular riding places include in the Red Gum along the Murray River and the legendary High Country. Many people ride either with their own horse or they are expertly guided with one of the few family Trail Riding Companies left.
In the Mountains their ride may take days or weeks using the original bridle tracks carved out of the bush by the early Mountain Cattlemen and Miners.
The Government is claiming this will continue, but with the demise of the Mountain Cattlemen and the present threat to the Barmah Cattlemen, there are grave fears horse riding will now be targeted. Already the Greens are making such noises in their policies and there is a Government inquiry into the future use of State Forests.
“Extending the prohibition on high country cattle grazing to alpine areas outside the National Park, and to other delicate environments” (Greens Policy - Biodiversity 3.2.13) (Read also horses into this)
Read more on the Greens website http://www.vic.greens.org.au/about-the-greens/policy/
For a guide to what the future holds, one only has to look to NSW where there is a gradual closing of places to ride a horse, especially in the High Country. When the Terrick Terrick National Park in Northern Victoria was declared (a popular horse riding area), suddenly signs appeared banning horses.
Most concerning is the existence of a memorandum of understanding between Victoria, NSW and the ACT. This agreement states that management will be gradually standardised, so this can only mean one thing ------------
MORE REDUCTION IN PLACES TO RIDE ON VICTORIAN PUBLIC LAND AND PARKS
THIS MOVE MUST BE STOPPED NOW. – THAT’S WHY HORSERIDERS MUST SIGNAL THE MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT – DO NOT CLOSE ANY MORE PUBLIC LAND TO HORSERIDING.
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MOTORISED RECREATION AND CAMPING ON PUBLIC LAND
Four Wheel Driving and motor cycle trail bikeriding is under serious threat on public land in Victoria. A recent targeted forest was the Bunyip State Park which had many tracks closed. The Government has an inquiry underway, looking at all uses of State Forests. This can mean only one outcome for motorised access and recreation, - LESS
Past closures have been incremental and insidious, some here, some there. The timing of seasonal closures are being extended without warning (The King Billy Track for one.) Poor allocation of funds and staff within our land management agencies results in poor, unconsultative decisions affecting all users of Victorian public land. One of our biggest concerns is the numerous track closures being administered throughout the State without consultation. This is a short-sighted policy, as not only are family recreationists being restricted from enjoying their environment, but excess pressure is being felt by surrounding tracts of land. Motorised recreationists are the primary caretakers of Victoria's track network, without their valued help and support; connectivity through the Victorian bush ceases to exist isolating residents and communities from state services, such as fire support crews.
The key indicator that this recreation is under threat, is the memorandum of understanding between Victoria, NSW and the ACT Parks services. In brief it has been agreed that management of Parks in the three states will be standardised. Victoria boasts a diverse environment supporting many different recreationists. To propose that the land management of this State should be standardised shows a complete lack of effective integrated management techniques. This streamline system exposes the government as being more concerned with the minority parties inhabiting the city than the average Australian family trying to experience Victoria's beautiful country.
It is well known that track access in NSW is gradually closing and this is obvious each summer as many, many convoys of NSW registered four wheel drives come through Victorias High Country, because people have very limited access in NSW.
One of the joys of travelling through our huge National Park system is being able to camp where we wish (within reason), and have a camp fire (when safe), with our families enjoying the outdoors. We must protect that right, but the indications in other states point otherwise. Public land is your land, we promote access for all!
VICTORIA WILL FOLLOW THESE TRENDS UNLESS WE ALL SAY NO NOW.
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This individual hobby is pursued by a great number of people and assists the economies of country towns. The creation of more National Parks has curtailed peoples enjoyment of this activity even in areas that have been used in this way since European settlement and without significant environmental damage. Wombats knock over more stones than a prospector does. Once again, it is a question of balancing the use of our public land without serious impact. Banning prospecting has destroyed that balance and peoples rights to use our public land.
AND FOR WHAT???
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BEES, THE HONEY SHORTAGE AND VITAL ACCESS TO TREES AND BLOSSUM
Victorias Bee keepers are very frustrated because Government policy is putting their industry in jeopardy. There is constantly hostile pressure on Bee Keepers requesting access for their hives on public Land including, National Parks.
Of the 2,800 public land bee sites in Victoria, 256 bee sites have been burnt out by the extreme wildfires since December 2002. The government will not discuss allocation of replacement bee sites to help the Apiculture industry to maintain the production of Victorian honey.
Honey is a natural healthy product and Victorians should be aware that Government policy will gradually see less and less Victorian Honey available in local shops.
The Government are wasting Bee Keepers time and sapping their resources by keeping the industry in constant “discussions and dialogue” at a local level but at the top its policies are making it more and more difficult for Bee Keepers to stay in business.
WHY WOULD ANY GOVERNMENT DO THAT EXCEPT TO ATTRACT GREEN SUPPORT AT THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?
Read our link on this website “The Octopus and the Pineapple”
http://www.honeybee.com.au/beeinfo/assn.html
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Hunting and trout fishing are recreational activities enjoyed by thousands of Victorians.
It is vital that people’s rights to engage in these activities are protected. Both sports generate significant income for small rural Victorian towns and hunting provides a service to Public land and Parks by reducing feral pests and managing game species such a deer.
There is a huge issue with trout and Government policy. Trout numbers in many of our once premium streams have dwindled due to fishing pressure, drought and bushfires.
In some rivers such as the Upper Goulburn, Howqua and Jamieson it is difficult to catch a good size trout for dinner. These rivers once abounded with good size trout. Fishermen tell, that one could look up river and see trout rising in every pool as far as you could see – not any more.
It is Government policy not to encourage trout and it will not restock key headwater rivers with trout. Your fishing licence dues are being used in part to breed and distribute native fish which some cases you then are not allowed to catch!
The Industry has varying opinions on this difficult issue, but all agree trout are important.
A few professional trout fishing guides say they are not concerned about the lack of trout re stocking, we point out that the average recreational angler has voted with his feet and many no longer try their luck to catch a trout in our former premium trout streams. This has affected the economy of towns like Jamieson, Mansfield and Bright.
The Government spins by saying it has a good trout restocking program. This is true, but it only stocks impoundments (lakes and dams) with almost no trout going where the keen fly fishers want them. So what do they do? They travel to New Zealand and Tasmania where trout fishing is a staple tourist attraction – and streams are stocked.
If you read the fine print of the Greens policies, and the anti-trout reports put out by DSE you will have grave fears for the future of trout in our rivers. Beware and be vigilant.
Go to the Australian Trout Foundation website http://www.atf-online.org
So, the trend is there and the pressure is on hunting and trout fishing
Links
http://www.atf-online.org
www.ssaavic.com.au
www.austdeer.com.au
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LAKE MOKOAN AND THE TOXIC DUMP
Two issues which have devastated rural communities are the plan to put a toxic dump near Mildura and decommission important water storage near Benalla.
Both these State Government plans will gravely affect Mildura and Benalla, are ill conceived and were decided on the run.
The Government is now too proud to admit both decisions were inherently wrong.
WHAT YOU THINK?
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DEAR CONCERNED SUPPORTER.
All of the above stories you have read, have come about because of the increasing influence of the Greens and the compliant Bracks Government which has made many decisions about public land access because it needs the Greens preferences to stay in power.
And we believe you haven’t seen anything yet
Please consider this when you vote in November.
If you would like to add to what we have compiled or to tell us your personal story,
Email us…
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