Media release
From the Minister for Environment and Water
Thursday, 17 April, 2003
NEW SERVICE WILL PROTECT BUSH - THWAITES
A new Parks Victoria telephone service will help guard against
suspicious or destructive behaviour in the bush, the Minister for
Environment and Water,
John Thwaites, said today.
Mr Thwaites launched the service at Wannon Falls in western Victoria.
"The new Bush Telegraph service will allow Victorians keep watch on
their local environment and help protect it," Mr Thwaites said.
"For the cost of a local call, Victorians can contact the Bush
Telegraph to report suspicious or destructive behaviour that
potentially
places land, property or people at risk.
"These incidents aren't emergencies but they are serious enough for
people to want to tell someone who can act on the information. This
new service will address that need.
"The Bush Telegraph service is a significant initiative to protect
the bush, ensure the safety of Victorians and support regional
communities."
The new service is accessed through telephoning 13 2874 for the cost
of a local call.
"The community's concern about the bush has been brought into sharp
focus by the recent bushfires that burnt more than 1.3 million
hectares of public land across the State."
Parks Victoria will provide the reporting facility though its Call
Centre.
Further information about the Bush Telegraph service is available
from the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or from
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Re: Bush Telegraph 13 2874
Dear Club President's, Delegates and Members
At last nights General Meeting the issue about poor behaviour in our
Parks and Forest by some people in four wheel drive vehicles was
discussed. These people have a total disregard for the environment
and all user groups.
Minister Thwaites last year launched a new service called the Bush
Telegraph and I would appreciate it if you would notify your members
of this service.
So many of our members tell us of circumstances where they see
idiots destroying the bush and they wished they could call someone
to pass on their information. For them it was not an emergency but a
cause of concern in that what they were witnessing was wrong or
could or was causing damage to property, the environment or people
With this new service our members will be able to report these type
of concerns, through a single dedicated number 13 2874.
This new number, which is called the Bush Telegraph, will be
available to anyone across the state for the price of a local call
and enables Parks to respond to our concerns and offers assistance
to our members to deal with the issue.
This is a significant initiative in protecting the bush. It provides
ease of access and just might make a difference when those people
get the message that irresponsible behaviour is not acceptable and
that we all support a sustainable environment.
I attach a copy of the Ministers press release from last year. May I
recommend the distribution of this email to your club members and a
permanent notice in your club magazine.
All the best