River Red Gum
sub: 2 @) Nos
Dear Director
Please find attached my revised comments on the draft Proposals from the
River Redgum Forests Investigation
Please disregard my previous Email I have realised there was an error in
the attached letter
Nigel Caswell,
\VEAC leteti¢ ARF doeThe Director
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
Level 6/8 Nicholson Street
East Melbourne Vic 3004
Dear Sir
Thank you for making available for comment the Counci’s draft proposals arising
from the River Redgum Forests Investigation. | strongly support the protection,
conservation and enhancement of these Forest Areas. The Redgum is a truly
majestic symbol of the uniqueness of Australian fiora and we have a responsibility to
‘ensure that they thrive for the benefit of the wealth of flora and fauna they host as
well as for the benefit of future generations of humans in Australia. | therefore wish to
register my strong support for the creation of new and additional National Parks
namely:
+ Barmah National Park- a large new national park inthe largest River Red Gum forest slong the
River Murray.
+ Gunbower National Park- @ new national par fom state forest and River Murray Reserve on
the River Murray near Cohuna
+ Lower Goulburn River National Park. a new rational park extending trom the River Murray,
‘long the Goulburn River to the south of Shepparton and ineluding Kanyaplla Basin
+ Warby Range-Ovens River National Park-ontargoment and adcition to the Warby Range
‘State Park of regional park and state forest along the Ovens River.
+ Leaghur-Koorangie National Park- a new national park in he Loddon and Avoca River
floodplains west and south of Kerang, including Leaghur State Park, Koorangle (The Marshes) Wadi
Reserve and Wandella Fora and Fauna Reser.
+ Murray-Sunset National Park-a substantial addtional area to this existing national park,
including WatipolaIstand, Mlroo Creek Wildlife Area and River Murray Reserve,
+ Terrick Terrick National Park- the adciton of several grassland nature conservation reserves,
and other pubic land units
| similarly wish to register my strong support for the creation of new and additional
Regional and other parks namely:
+ Murray River Park-consolidation of the River Murray Reserve and incorporation of regional
parks at Echuca, Tocumwal, Cobram, Yarrawonga and Wodonga,
+ Four parks balancing recreation and conservation objectives along the River
‘Murray (three new) ~Kings Bilabong Park incorporating Kings Billabong Wildife Reserve and Bote
Bond; Murray-Kulkyne Park incorporating the existing park and River Murray Reserve neat Colignan:
Gadisen Bend Park incorporating state forest and River Murray Reserve south of Robinval; and Nyah-
Viniflora Per incorporating Nyah State Forest and Vinfora forest (Rivor Murray Resorva) downstream of
Swan Hil
- Two new regional parks close to regional centres-Kerang Regional Park incorporating
Fostors, Back and Town Swamps and Cemetery Forest Wife Reserve; and Shepparton Regional
Park adjoining tho proposed Lowr Goulburn River National Park and incorporating pat ofthe Lowor
Goulburn State Forest, Shepparton Flora and Fauna Reserve end Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
Jalso wish to register my strong support for
+ Changes to National Parks Act to allow co-management and amendments
recommended to allow hand back/lease pack of National Parks to Traditional owners
(anywhere in Vic); and specific recommendations for parks to be co-operatively
managed with aboriginal traditional owners
‘Secure environmental water for Victorian floodplain forests in the study area
ith a release of the water every 5 years+ The phasing out of stock grazing across public land and on public land water
frontages.
However, | suggest that there is room for improvement of the proposals in the
following area:
+ logging -There should be recommendations for an immediate end to logging
in proposed parks to prevent any further loss of biodiversity with appropriate support
to affected communities and investment in infrastructure to improve tourism. In this,
regard | suggest
+ there is inadequate protection for the internationally significant Gunbower
forest wetlands, with around 70% stil open for logging, and
«there needs to be strong recommendations for development of a
private sector agro-forestry industry on cleared private land.
| look forward to further progress towards the long term protection conservation and
enhancement of these vital and symbolic natural assets.
Yours Sincerely
Nigel Caswell