Victoria rejects alpine grazing 'gimmick'
October 11, 2005 - 1:03PM
Victorian Environment Minister John Thwaites has rejected a federal government plan to return cattle to the state's Alpine National
Park.
Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell unveiled today a $15 million compromise deal that would allow cattle grazing to continue, while creating a greater Alpine National
Park covering areas of Victoria, NSW and the ACT.
Under the plan, cattle would be allowed back into parts of the
park but kept out of sensitive areas, using electric and conventional fencing.
Some cattle would also wear collars activated through a global positioning system when they crossed "virtual" fences around protected areas.
Mr Thwaites described the proposals as a "political gimmick" and a "Trojan horse" aimed at getting cattle back into the
park.
"It's clear that the federal minister just can't deliver what he said he would do for the cattlemen," he told reporters.
"He's had to concede he doesn't have the legal power to force cattle grazing on to the
park."
Mr Thwaites said cattle would not be allowed back into the
park because of "absolutely clear scientific evidence" that the animals damaged the fragile environment.
"You don't go to a national
park and expect to see electric fences and cattle wandering around with electric collars on."
The Victorian government has banned the 170-year-old tradition of summer musters and says it will no longer issue grazing licences for the
park.
Senator Campbell has already issued an emergency
heritage listing protecting the
park and the tradition of alpine grazing, and he had been expected to announce his decision on a permanent listing.
But today he said he had not read an assessment prepared for him last month by the Australian
Heritage Council and he would not say when or if he would announce a decision on a permanent listing.
Instead, his compromise proposal rests on agreement from the state government.
"I am aware the Victorian government has taken the decision to ban cattle grazing in the high country as an environmental measure.
"But this plan offers a way to preserve this rich cultural
heritage without damaging the alpine environment."
Mr Thwaites challenged Senator Campbell to release the council's assessment.
- AAP