Victoira Naturally, an alliance of leading environment groups - of which Bush Heritage is a member - today welcomed the Victorian Government's 50-year vision to reverse the state's loss of nature and to reconnect the landscape, but warned it would take serious investment to make this vision a reality.
"The Victoria Naturally Alliance applauds the government's new Land and Biodiversity White Paper and its proposal to re-connect the landscape with very large networks of wildlife corridors," Alliance spokesperson Karen Alexander said.
"Our natural environment needs all the help it can get. CSIRO says that 44 per cent of native plants and 30 per cent of native animals already threatened in Victoria. By re-connecting areas of native vegetation these animals will be able to move through the landscape more easily as climate changes bites.
"But the White Paper's vision will mean nothing unless the government commits enough money to implement the recommendations. We strongly urge the government to act quickly and allocate the required funds to make this 50-year vision for Victoria's environment a reality."
Bush Heritage Australia welcomed the White Paper.
"Reconnecting our bushland mainly needs to happen on private land and this is acknowledged in the White Paper," said Doug Humann, CEO Bush Heritage. "However, in the face of warmer, drier conditions we need to further support land holders to do this work- with special consideration to the high costs involved."
The Victorian National Parks Association Executive Director Matt Ruchel said the overall direction of the White Paper was good, but that groups were concerned about some aspects.
"Conservation groups are extremely nervous about proposals to tinker with the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) and the review of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. The powers and resourcing of these entities should be strengthened, not undermined," he said.
The Wilderness Society's Victorian Campaigns Manager Gavan McFadzean said protecting the natural environment was important in reducing against climate change.
"The White Paper shows the state government is starting to grasp the importance of protecting nature in the fight against climate change and adapting to its more severe impacts. This must form a critical part of the government's climate change response," he said.
Environment Victoria's CEO Kelly O'Shanassy said investment in the state's environment had many benefits.
"Restoring Victoria's natural environment will create jobs and deliver regional economic development through tourism and new industries," she said. "For example, new Red Gum national parks in northern Victoria will create 40 park management jobs and more than 20 jobs in the tourism sector."
All groups in the Victoria Naturally Alliance contributed to the development of the White Paper over the past three years and will continue to work with government and others to ensure the protection of Victoria's natural environment.
Visit Victoria Naturally at http://www.victorianaturally.org.au/
View a summary of the White Paper here
Page Last Updated: Monday 8 June 2009