The Age, June 11, 2005
The State Government's ban on cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park is likely to stay in place after legal experts yesterday dismissed an intervention from Canberra. The Federal Government granted emergency heritage listing to the 660,550-hectare Alpine National Park. Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell said the park had equal environmental and historic values. "The Victorian Government's decision to ban grazing in the park poses a clear threat to the historic heritage values," he said.
The Australian, June 11, 2005
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15577106%255E2702,00.html
A LEGAL showdown is looming over high-country grazing after the commonwealth listed the lifestyle of the Man from Snowy River on the National Heritage Register. Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell yesterday invoked his emergency powers to protect the cattlemen's lifestyle in defiance of the Victorian Government's ban on alpine grazing.
http://www.theage.com.au/letters/index.html
We know how you feel
The cattlemen are feeling dispossessed, their heritage is under threat, their way of life is challenged. They think of themselves as custodians of a fragile alpine ecosystem. This places them in an excellent position to appreciate the plight of the Taungurung clans, the traditional occupants of central Victoria, including the alpine region.
Flora needs protecting
I am an ecological science student at Deakin University and have a number of concerns with the way in which the grazing issue has been handled. The native flora of the Alps takes hundreds of years to grow, and yet cattle walk in and destroy it in seconds. It is unacceptable that they be allowed in these areas.
Blatant self-interest
The cattlemen's resentment of the Victorian Government's decision to preserve the high country demonstrates the graziers' blatant self-interest. It places the interests of 45 families against the benefit of 20 million Australians. And let's remember those demonstrating in support on Thursday: sporting shooters, four-wheel-drive enthusiasts, hunters and loggers.
Proud of the cattlemen
Premier Steve Bracks, as a country boy related to Paterson I am fiercely proud of the high country cattlemen. Your plan to destroy our heritage by removing the cattlemen in order to secure Green preferences at the 2006 Victorian state election is beneath contempt. Shame, Mr Bracks.
Frank Campbell, Elmhurst Vic
THE media are fawning over the handful of leaseholders whose cattle have been damaging the alpine country for far too long ("Wrath of the bush rides into town", 10/6). Anyone who has run cattle (as I have) knows how much they damage any farm, let alone the high plains. Cattle compact soil, degrade creeks and spread weeds. High country grazing is the sort of "tradition" we need to see the back of.
What about the proud traditions of draining and clearing the land, traditions which have led to salinity, erosion and the rest? And while we're on the subject, let's hear it for the great Australian rabbit and fox tradition. Don't get me wrong, I'm a traditionalist. Traditionally, cattle have no place in national parks.
The Age (article) June 10, 2005 - 5:10PM
Mick Allman, one of the 600 Mountain Cattlemen that marched his horse towards Parliament in protest of the Brack s Government's decision to ban grazing in the Alpine National Park.
The federal government today challenged a Victorian ban on cattle in the state's Alpine National Park, issuing an emergency heritage listing to protect the traditional summer musters.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Otways-national-park-announced/2005/06/10/1118347586722.html
A new 100,000 hectare national park has been announced for Victoria's south-west, stretching along the Great Ocean Road from Anglesea to Cape Otway. The Greater Otway National Park, nine times bigger than the existing national park, will be established by legislation going before parliament next week, the state government announced today.