New River Murray national parks are a step closer - Make a submission to the VEAC Study before 7 Dec 2006.

The Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC) study into River Red Gum along the River Murray and its major tributaries is has finally published its long awaited discussion paper.

The second round of public consultation has started, this is YOUR chance to have a say on the future conservation and management of our iconic River Red Gums.

Submissions are open until December 7th 2006, so don't delay.

Write a submission now! Get your family and friends to do the same.

You can write a few lines or a couple of pages, but the more submissions received by VEAC calling for new Red Gum National Parks, the greater chance of ensuring the survival of numerous threatened species dependant on River
Red Gum.

If you have ever camped, fished, walked or boated along the Murray, Goulburn or Ovens Rivers, you will know how special these places are.

New National Parks will create opportunities for joint-management with Indigenous communities as well as improving the health of the River Murray and its ailing Red Gum forests.

River Red Gum National Parks; a generational conservation opportunity.

A few lines or a couple of paragraphs is all it takes, either e-mailed or posted to the address below. To help out, VNPA has prepared a few dot points highlighting key issues. Also feel free to read the brochure by accessing it on the VEAC website.

Send your submission before December 7th to:

VEAC
6th Floor, 8 Nicholson Street
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

Or email - veac@dse.vic.gov.au

VEAC Study Submission Points:

1. Tell VEAC that River Red Gum areas need protecting from timber cutting to protect threatened species like the Superb parrot, the Squirrel glider and the Carpet python to provide large old trees for habitat.

New national parks are a must for the Barmah forest, the Gunbower forest and the Goulburn River. All other areas must be managed as parks.

2. The Yorta Yorta and other Indigenous Nations along the River Murray have many thousands of years of heritage and connection to their traditional Country. There is a need for joint-management of new National Parks, particularly Barmah-Millewa, the largest River red Gum forest in the world.

Tell VEAC that a new Barmah national park should be jointly managed by the Yorta Yorta, along with other areas of the Goulburn River. Other Traditional Owners along the River Murray should be part of future management of new Parks and protected areas.

3. Over 95% of Red Gum timber cut from these forests is firewood, woodchips or garden sleepers, all low value and easily replaced through plantation-based timber.

Tell VEAC to make recommendations for regional plantation development on cleared land, and about removing timber cutting from all River red Gum forests and wetlands.

4. Recent government reports show that 75% of River Red Gum is stressed, dead or dying. What is left must be protected now! Cattle grazing in wetlands and along rivers pollutes them, spreads weeds and reduces river health and water quality. Tell VEAC that grazing of cattle should be excluded from all river and wetlands in River Red gum areas.

Tell VEAC that ALL remaining forests and wetlands along the Murray and its Victorian tributaries MUST be protected from logging and grazing.

5. Numerous existing State and regional strategies, such as the Victorian River Health Strategy, Regional Catchment Strategies and obligations under the Safe Drink Water Act call for exclusion of cattle and logging from these river forests and wetlands.

Tell VEAC that they must recommend that these strategies and policies must be delivered, and that new Parks are the only way to ensure these obligations are met.

**Submissions close on Monday December 7th 2006**

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You can also write to your Minister about new National Parks

Writing a letter or submissions gives you an opportunity to have your say on how you believe our natural areas should be protected.

Each submission makes a real difference, giving decision makers insight into what the community wants from the process in question.

If you have already made a submission to the VEAC study and you would like to make your voice heard directly to the Government, you may like to send an e-lobby form directly to the Premier and/or Environment Minister in your state to ask them to create new Red gum national parks.

Write a letter to the NSW Government >>
Write a letter to the VIC Government >>

Send an e-lobby email to the NSW Government >>
Send an e-lobby email to the VIC Government >>