National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008- 09 A Victorian Government initiative Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, October 2009 © The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. 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This document is also available in PDF format on the Internet at <www.dse.vic.gov.au> Front cover: Grampians National Park and Brambuk – the National Park and Cultural Centre (Photo: Ian Harris) CONTENTS Foreword 2 Role of Council 3 Membership 3 Categories 3 Current members 3 Council activities 4 Statutory responsibilities 4 Section 19(2)(a) of the National Parks Act 1975 4 Section 19(2)(b) of the National Parks Act 1975 4 Section 11(1)(a) of the National Parks Act 1975 4 Program themes 5 Indigenous involvement in park management 5 VEAC recommendations on the River Red Gum Forests Investigation 5 The Greater Alpine National Parks management planning 5 The Land and Biodiversity at a time of Climate Change White Paper 6 Other key issues 6 Field inspections 7 Mount Eccles National Park 7 Grampians National Park 7 Kinglake and Yarra Ranges national parks 8 Presentations to Council 10 The parks system 12 Administration 12 Expenditure 12 Whistleblowers Protection Act 12 Freedom of Information Act 12 Acknowledgements 12 1 National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 Foreword Managing the natural environment of parks and protecting biodiversity as the climate This report outlines the activities undertaken changes are leading to more severe drought by the National Parks Advisory Council conditions and more intense fire regimes is (Council) for the year ending 30 June 2009. It an increasing challenge for park managers. is provided to the Minister for Environment Council commends the State Government in and Climate Change, the Honourable Gavin preparing the Land and Biodiversity at a time Jennings MLC, as required under section 11 of Climate Change White Paper and looks of the National Parks Act 1975. forward to the positive outcomes that it Under this Act, the Council is responsible for believes will flow from the paper in relation to advising the Minister on the administration of species protection and the role of parks the Act, i.e. on matters relating to the declared under the National Parks Act 1975. management of parks in Victoria declared Council was impressed with the dedication under the Act. The combination of the and commitment of Department of Council’s regionally orientated membership Sustainability and Environment and Parks together with its broad expertise and Victoria staff in their efforts in controlling the experience places it in an ideal position to February 2009 fires and in planning for the provide this advice. rehabilitation of the fire affected parks. The 133 parks and other areas managed However, Council was concerned with the under provisions of the National Parks Act impact that diverting resources (especially form a magnificent park system covering staff) to these (and other) bushfires is having more than 3.3 million hectares. The parks on other park management activities. system provides the cornerstone for Council supported increased Indigenous biodiversity conservation in Victoria, community involvement in park management protecting areas that are representative of and was impressed with the commitment of most natural environments occurring on all parties to progress co-operative public land. In addition, the park system management involving the Gundjitmara provides numerous recreation opportunities based on appreciation of the natural people through the Budj Bim Council for the environment, which are enjoyed by millions of Mount Eccles National Park. Council looked visitors annually. forward to arrangements being developed for involving Indigenous communities in the During the year Council considered key management of other parks in the future. issues facing Victoria’s park estate including Indigenous community involvement in park Council considered that the management of management, management planning for the the park estate in secure public ownership for the current and future generations must parks in the Alpine area, biodiversity continue to be a key priority of the State protection at a time of climate change and the Government. proposals to create new River Red Gum parks. In addition Council considered the impact of the severe bushfires that occurred in February 2009 which emerged as the most serious park management issue during the year. Council has consistently supported action to make Victoria’s park system more comprehensive. Highlights for this year Ian Harris include the State Government largely Convenor adopting the Victorian Environmental September 2009 Assessment Council’s recommendations to create a suite of new and expanded national parks and protected areas that arose from the Council’s extensive River Red Gum investigation. Council was also very pleased to note the handover of the Point Nepean Quarantine Station from the Commonwealth to the State Government after protracted negotiations, which will now lead to the incorporation of the quarantine station into an expanded Point Nepean National Park. National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 2 Role of Council biology or earth science at a university in Victoria The National Parks Advisory Council (Council) is established under section 10 of - one must be a person with experience the National Parks Act 1975 (the Act). The in local government who resides in a responsible Minister was Gavin Jennings municipality in which there is a park MLC, Minister for Environment and Climate - four must be persons with experience Change. in matters affecting the interests of the Under section 11 of the Act the functions of community. Council are to: The member categories are described in full under section 10 of the Act. Council members • advise the Minister generally in relation to the administration of the Act and on are appointed for a period of up to three particular matters in relation to that years, and may be re-appointed. The expiry administration on which the Minister of the appointments of non-departmental seeks its advice members is aligned in two groups - the terms of four members expire in 2009 and the terms • advise the Minister on any proposed of the other four in 2010. excision from a park referred to it by the Minister Current members • submit to the Minister within three months after each year ending on 30 June a The members of Council as at 30 June 2009 report on the performance of its functions were: during that year. • Mr Ian Harris (Convenor) – a person with In addition to these functions the Minister is skills or experience relating to the required to seek advice from Council on preservation and protection of parks certain leases, licences and consents for • Ms Nina Cullen – Director, Public Land particular activities within parks. Policy, DSE (nominee of the Secretary to The Act governs the protection and DSE) management of Victoria’s parks system. It • Mrs Heather Gee – a person with provides a strong framework for ensuring that experience in local government who the use and management of the parks are resides in a municipality in which there is compatible with the long-term maintenance of a park their natural and cultural values. • Ms Kate Glenie – a community The Secretary to the Department of representative (metropolitan) Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is responsible under the Act for ensuring the • Mr John Gray – a community appropriate management of parks in representative (non-metropolitan) accordance with the Act. Parks Victoria (PV), • Mr Lance Jennison – a community established under the Parks Victoria Act representative (non-metropolitan) 1998, manages the parks under a management agreement with the Secretary. • Mr Brian Martin – a person with skills or experience relating to the preservation Membership and protection of parks • Dr John Sherwood – a University Categories professor or teacher of ecology, biology or earth science Council consists of ten members of whom: • Mrs Deirdre Slattery – a community • one is a nominee of the Secretary to DSE representative (non-metropolitan) • one is the Director of National Parks • Mr Mark Stone - Director of National (defined under the Act as the Chief Parks (Chief Executive Officer of Parks Executive Officer, Parks Victoria) Victoria). • eight are appointed by the Governor in Council of whom - two must be persons with skills or experience relating to the preservation and the protection of parks - one must be a person who is a professor or teacher of ecology, 3 National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 Council activities Council considered the proposed lease at its 9 October 2008 meeting and supported the During the year Council held seven meetings granting of a new lease. and conducted two field inspections of parks. Section 19(2)(b) of the National Parks At its 3 April meeting, Council met with the Act 1975 Minister for Environment and Climate Proposal: Granting of a seven year lease Change, Gavin Jennings MLC, to discuss the pursuant to section 19(2)(b) of the Act to Council work program and major issues Melbourne Walking Club Inc.