HIGH COUNTRY GRAZING CONTINUES OUTSIDE NATIONAL PARK

Cattle grazing will no longer be permitted in Victoria’s Alpine National Park, but will continue elsewhere in the high country, Premier Steve Bracks, said today.

Mr Bracks said the Government had made the decision to protect one of Victoria’s most significant natural assets and important water catchments.

The Government will now work with the NSW and ACT Governments to seek World Heritage listing for the National Park.

“The decision on grazing will benefit future generations who wish to experience the beautiful Alpine areas,” Mr Bracks said. “At the same time the cultural and heritage values of cattle grazing will be preserved with grazing continuing in high country State Forests.

“The Alpine Park has high tourism potential, high conservation value and is home to 300 rare and threatened flora and fauna species, as well the headwaters to many of the State’s major rivers – including tributaries to the Snowy and Murray.

“There is overwhelming scientific evidence that cows as hard-hooved heavy animals are damaging the sensitive Alpine environment.”

The Alpine Grazing Taskforce established last year to investigate cattle grazing in the National Park found it damaged soil, with cattle trampling mossbeds and watercourses, threatening rare native flora and fauna and spreading weeds.

There are 61 cattle grazing licences in the Alpine National Park held by 45 nominated licensees. Most expire in August and will not be renewed, with the remaining four expiring in June next year. At present, it cost $5.50 per head of cattle per season to graze in the Park.

Mr Bracks said while the expiry of licences meant there was no obligation to buy them out, the Government believed it was fair to provide payments to allow licencees to make any transitional arrangements required, such as grazing cattle in other areas.

The Government detailed a $5.4 million package to accompany the announcement, including $1.8 million for transitional payments to graziers of up to $100,000 per operation* over three years.

The Government will also contribute toward the $6.5 million upgrading and sealing of the Bogong High Plains Road, creating a vital link between Omeo and Falls Creek.

“There is currently a 31 kilometre unsealed stretch and this upgrade will ensure it becomes an all year all weather road,” Mr Bracks said.

“The Alpine Shire Council will contribute $2.5 million and the State Government will seek to share the balance of the funding with the Commonwealth Government.”

The Minister for the Environment, John Thwaites, said the findings of the Alpine Grazing Taskforce supported previous research showing the damage cattle grazing caused to Alpine environments.

“It seems incongruous while the National Parks Act provides fines of up to $2000 for people caught removing or damaging vegetation, cattle have still been free to roam over these areas and destroy vegetation,” he said.

“The maximum number of cattle allowed to graze in the park is 7914, or about one per cent of the State’s cattle. Last season, because of the 2003 bushfires, only about 740 grazed in the park.”

The Taskforce also considered a Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) report into the damage caused by the Alpine fires in 2003. The report found grazing should not return to high elevation and burnt areas for at least ten years.

Mr Thwaites said high country grazing was a significant part of our history but those heritage values would not be lost with cattle grazing to continue outside the boundaries of the Park.

“There will still be high country grazing in State forests, with licences continuing for about 10,000 cattle, covered by about 150 licences, ” he said. “Many of those who hold licences for the Alpine National Park also hold licences to graze in State forests.”

On top of the transitional assistance, the Government announced a range of supporting initiatives:

·          additional weed and pest animal control programs in the park ($2.2 million);

·          rehabilitation of damaged areas of the park, particularly mossbeds ($650,000);

·          support for cultural heritage events and festivals in the high country ($200,000);

·         signage and information on the history of the high country, including grazing ($240,000);

·          support for historic hut maintenance by volunteers ($60,000) and

·         implementation of aspects of the Omeo Tourism Destination Plan ($265,000).

Mr Thwaites said Victoria would now work with the NSW and ACT Governments, to pursue listing the parks in the three jurisdictions covering the Alpine area on the National and then World Heritage lists.