June 2019 No 277 Caring for Parks – by the Numbers Barmah Wetland
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CARING FOR PARKS – BY THE NUMBERS JUNE 2019 NO 277 BARMAH WETLAND STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN VICTORIA’S DEER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY THE NATURAL WONDERS OF WOMBAT FOREST WESTERN GRASSLAND RESERVES FAILURE ZOMBIE WESTERN FOREST AGREEMENTS ADVENTURES IN REEF RECOVERY Be part of nature CONTENTS PRESIDENT Bruce McGregor 3 From the President DIRECTOR Matt Ruchel Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053 4 Updates ABN 34 217 717 593 Telephone: (03) 9341 6500 5 Caring for parks – by the numbers Email: [email protected] Web: www.vnpa.org.au 6-9 Compare the pair OUR VISION The Victorian National Parks Association 10 Nature policy still struggling in federal context vision is to ensure Victoria is a place with a diverse and healthy natural environment 11-13 Victoria – state of nature decline that is protected, respected and enjoyed by all. Everyone can help in the conservation of Victoria’s wild 14-16 Victoria’s Western Grassland Reserves failure and beautiful places. To find out how you can help, visit www.vnpa.org.au/support or call us on (03) 9341 6500. 17 Project Hindmarsh and Grow West Community Planting EDITOR Meg Sobey 18 Are you our next VNPA Council Secretary? PUBLISHING POLICY All advertisements should be compatible with 18 BWAG Committee needs new members VNPA policies. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by the VNPA Inc. of the 19-21 The natural wonders of Wombat Forest advertised product or service. The VNPA reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time. 21 From recent fires to recovery Park Watch may be quoted without permission provided that acknowledgement is made. 22 Regulatory relics getting a polish up? The opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the VNPA Inc. 23 Zombie western forest agreements GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS You’re always welcome to contact the 24-25 Westernport Bay at risk editor to discuss ideas for articles. Phone the VNPA or email [email protected] 26-28 Keeping watch COPY DEADLINE for September 2019 Park Watch is Friday 2 August 2019. 29 Tributes DESIGN Mary Ferlin PRINTING Adams Print 30 Quiz! FRONT COVER The internationally renowned wetlands of Barmah National 31-33 To catch an oyster Park are threatened by badly timed water regimes, feral horses, and weed invasion. But Parks Victoria has 34-35 In Parks: Mount Richmond National Park a well-considered plan (see pages 6–9). Photo: Keith Ward/Parks Victoria. 36-37 Splendid southern sea slugs Park Watch ISSN 1324-4361 Authorised by Matt Ruchel, Executive Director, 38 Wild Families: Wild families get wet Victorian National Parks Association. Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053. 39 Quiz Answers 2 PARK WATCH • JUNE 2019 NO 277 From the President Just before going to print with this My family recently enjoyed a visit other amazing marine life. These edition of Park Watch, the Australian to the Twelve Apostles National experiences, along with a visit to an election has been decided. We Park, a place I have visited since important Indigenous heritage site look forward to working with the I was a young child. This visit near Lancefield, continues to inspire new federal government to achieve highlighted the enormous pressure my passion for nature conservation significant improvements in nature this park is being placed under by and our unique heritage. conservation and the engagement of expanding international tourism. Australians with nature. The tourism industry contributes As the financial year draws to a close, little to the ecological management I would like to take this opportunity to National leadership for the of our parks, yet appears to want sincerely thank all those who chose environment matters. National unfettered access. to financially support the work of environmental laws matter. VNPA. As a supporter myself, I invite And national funding for nature Another problem with nature and you to join me in backing VNPA and matters. Most of the pre-election heritage protection is the poor culture our campaigns and projects. You commitments for nature were around compliance in Victoria. An can make a tax-deductible donation modest. VNPA and other environment interesting recent example of this using the form on the back cover, or groups have called for stronger issue was the closure of part of the by calling the team on (03) 9341 6500 national leadership and laws to Grampians–Gariwerd National Park – without the support of financial protect nature. to rock climbers. VNPA encourages donors, there would be no VNPA to responsible use and visitations stand up for parks in Victoria. • PW I encourage VNPA supporters to parks, but such visits need to Bruce McGregor, VNPA President to speak with their local federal be carefully managed as nature representatives to let them know and heritage conservation are the your concerns about nature primary purposes of these reserves. protection and the need for Consequently, VNPA strongly increased federal funding. Funding supports Parks Victoria in enforcing for environmental work is used their management plans. We would to employ people for urgent like to see similar actions taken in environmental projects, so it is good all nature reserves in Victoria for a for jobs as well as nature. whole raft of activities, to ensure the ecological impacts are appropriately In the last Park Watch, I called managed. This would need the National leadership for the state of Victoria to invest completion and implementation of two–three times more funding into management plans for all parks, for the environment nature conservation, park planning involving the employment of matters. National and management. Since then, the experienced regional staff. Political Victorian Government has announced will is required to fund, invest and environmental $15 billion for a road to service a ultimately employ people. Is the small sector of Melbourne. There Andrews Government up to it? laws matter. And has also been a myriad of promises national funding for infrastructure spending by all On a lighter note, my family has parties in the federal election. Clearly, enjoyed being in the bush in the for nature matters. there is no shortage of money. The Dandenongs, the Mount Stirling construction industry lobby, along region, and near Mount Cole and with associated building unions, has snorkelling under the wonderful a strong influence on government Mornington Pier. As part of a family priorities. Yet longstanding legal celebration, we travelled over to responsibilities to protect nature and Western Australia to visit Cape Range manage our parks are ignored and National Park and Ningaloo Marine not enforced. Park to see the whale sharks and PARK WATCH • JUNE 2019 NO 277 3 UPDATES Annual General Nominations for Meeting – VNPA Council are now open ADVANCED NOTICE Nominations for the VNPA Council are now open to members VNPA’s 67th Annual General Meeting who would like to participate in the governance of the organisation. will be held on Tuesday 8 October 2019 The Council play an important role in the life of VNPA – establishing at 6.30pm in the policy guidelines, approving annual budgets and undertaking Ground Floor Meeting Room, strategic planning for the association. 60 Leicester Street, Carlton. PW • Elected councillors are unpaid volunteers and are asked to participate in six Council meetings and relevant committees (usually around two hours each) over the course of the calendar year. New staff member The Annual General Meeting (see left) elects the volunteer Council and includes a president, vice-president, honorary The VNPA welcomes Annie Chessells secretary, honorary treasurer and up to nine councillors. as our new part time Administrative To nominate for Council, you must be a current financial Assistant. Annie will provide invaluable member and indicate your intentions by writing to the additional assistance with the Executive Director Matt Ruchel, via [email protected] organisation’s reception, administration, by 5pm on Tuesday 10 September 2019. More information on events and database a couple of our Council, please visit www.vnpa.org.au/about days a week. You may hear her voice answering VNPA phones or see her face See page 18 for a profile on outgoing Secretary Michael Forster out the front of the office soon! • PW – and throw your hat in the ring for the role! • PW Bequest acknowledgment EILEEN MCKEE VNPA Council and staff are Being entrusted with deeply grateful to the late Eileen’s legacy is a great Eileen McKee and her family responsibility that the VNPA for the legacy that she chose to is honoured to carry out. leave, by including a gift to VNPA Her gift will enable VNPA in her Will. to continue in the same role and aims that she Eileen grew up in East Gippsland, fiercely defended. where her love for the bush, its wildflowers, and native animals If you’re considering grew. Later, Eileen was one including a gift to support of the VNPA’s first paid staff VNPA in your Will, we’d love members, being Office Manager to hear from you. We would from 1975 to 1987. appreciate the opportunity to thank you, and also Eileen has been remembered discuss your priorities. as a strong character, with a Please contact our dry wit and strong convictions. Fundraising Manager She understood the role and Emily Clough, on aims of the VNPA and ensured (03) 9341 6501 or they were adhered to. [email protected] • PW PHOTO: JIM MCKEE JIM PHOTO: 4 PARK WATCH • JUNE 2019 NO 277 DEMAND Caring for parks – 1% by the numbers FOR PARKS NATURE IS FACING UNPRECEDENTED PRESSURE – AND OUR NATIONAL PARKS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF EFFORTS TO PROTECT IT. VNPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATT RUCHEL EXPLAINS THE VALUE OF PARKS AND THE IMPACT OF INSUFFICIENT FUNDING. National parks and conservation So we need to ensure our parks are than 2012 levels in raw terms, if CPI reserves protect areas of significance properly protected and managed.