|
Who We Are
The Rivers and Red Gum Environment Alliance was formed as a result of the Victorian Environment Assessment Council's River Red Gum forests Investigation draft proposals paper and the NSW Natural Resources Commission assessment of the Riverina Red Gum Forests.
Alliance Supporters
We are working towards a realistic and achievable management solution for the Riverina red gum forests on both sides of the Murray River.
RECENT SUPPORTERS
Mildura Rural City Council
Campaspe Shire
Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils
Murrabit Advancement Association
Koondrook Development Committee
Southern Riverina Hunt Club
Red Gum Timber Producers Australian P/L
Australian Trail Horse Riders Association
Tocumwal Anglers Club
Balranald Shire Council
Wentworth Shire Council
Australian Deer Association
THE AUSTRALIAN DEER ASSOCIATION was formed specifically to improve the status of deer and to ensure its protection as a free roaming game animal. The association represents the widest possible range of deer interest. Its members comprise the most experienced deerhunters and deer conservationists in Australia. It welcomes the expression of opinions by any person or group with a genuine interest in deer or deer management. ADA members have a keen interest in access to public land for all members of the community. The association has been involved in public policy initiatives for land and wildlife management for 40 years.
Website: www.austdeer.com.au
Australian Environment Foundation
The Australian Environment Foundation (AEF) is a not-for-profit, membership-based environmental organisation having no political affiliation. We take an evidence-based, solution focused approach to environmental issues. While it may be true to say that "We are all environmentalists now", the great majority of Australians have little or no say in the environmental policies being put to governments - federal, state or local. These policies are almost exclusively the domain of a tight network of conservation groups ensuring one view, and one view only, is put forward.
The AEF is a different kind of environment group, caring for both Australia & Australians. Many of our members are practical environmentalists - people who actively use and also care for the environment. We accept that environmental protection and sustainable resource use are generally compatible.
Website: www.aefweb.info
Barmah Forest Preservation League
The BFPL was formed in 1982, and currently has a membership of 180, with an active committee of 40, each committee member representing a local organization. It is a body of mainly local people, who together share a wealth of knowledge and experience of the Barmah Forest, and are concerned for, and dedicated to its conservation, because of the forest’s great historical, traditional, economical and environmental importance to the residents of the Barmah, Picola and Nathalia districts.
From the outset the League aligned itself to the World Conservation Union definition of conservation- “ The management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to the present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations”.
The League is an incorporated association and the Statement of Purposes are as follows:
1: To promote conservation of the Barmah Forest, so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations, while maintaining it’s potential to meet the needs and future aspirations of future generations.
2: To oppose any actions that would be detrimental to the conservation of the Barmah Forest.
3: To endeavour to keep the Barmah Forest in its present productive state, and open to all present users and law abiding persons.
4: To keep a watchful eye on the Barmah Forest, and be available to liaise with, and provide local knowledge to Government Departments and other interested bodies.
The BFPL has a motto of:
BARMAH FOREST FOR ALL AND FOREVER
Field and Game Australia
Field and Game Australia (formerly the Victorian Field & Game Association) was pioneered by recreational Waterfowl Hunters who recognised that development of farmland after the Second World War was seriously encroaching on important wetlands, causing a rapid decline in waterfowl populations through the state of Victoria. The first Field and Game branch was established as a direct response to these concerns.
Website: www.fga.net.au
Gannawarra Shire
The VEAC Draft Proposal’s Paper, which was released on 19 July 2007, contains draft recommendations for public land use in a 1600 kilometre corridor of land along the River Murray in northern Victoria. The recommendations include the establishment of two new National Parks, a new Regional Park and several new Conservation Reserves in Gannawarra Shire; thereby reducing the area of State Forest from 106,710 hectares to 12,210 hectares and the area of forest available for harvesting of timber cutting from 25,165 hectares to 10,105 hectares.
Like a large number of other individuals and organisations, Gannawarra Shire Council is opposed to the many of the draft proposals and is contributing to the Alliance alternative solution for the management of the red gum forests.
Gunbower Island State Forest User Group
GISFUG (Gunbower Island State Forest Users Group) was formed in 2004.
Members include recreational groups, wood cutters, timber industry,
bee keepers, forest lease holders, local businesses, environmentalists, and individuals who appreciate the local connection with the red gum forest.
At a meeting held on the 19th of July 2004 by a cross section of the local community, representatives of different fields, including government, scientific and those who have a deep understanding of the forests, such as sleeper cutters, spoke about the detrimental economic, environmental and social effects of the Gunbower Island State Forest " a valuable natural resource - becoming a National Park. The Group supports management of multiple use forests under the principles of the Ramsar Convention of 'wise use' philosophy.
Leeton Hotel Anglers Club
The club is very conscious of the health and well being of the river and surrounding red gum forests and the value the community puts on the riverine environment.
The club is active in the local area raising funds to restock waters with native fingerlings.
Club members support the objectives of the Alliance to see the forests remain as multiple use public land for the whole community.
Murray River Action Group
Represents land owners and businesses that own land on the flood plain between Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala, both Victoria and NSW.
The group have been in existence for approximately 40 years.
The group have a close working relationship with the Murray Darling Basin Commission.
New South Wales Council of Freshwater Anglers Inc.
The council is an affiliation of recreational angling clubs from across NSW that represents 5000 anglers. These anglers support the objectives of the Alliance in achieving a balanced outcome for the management of public land along the Murray and its tributaries.
South West Anglers Association Inc.
South West Anglers Association Inc. was formed in 1981 and is an Association of recreational angling clubs in the Riverina/South West regions of NSW. The Association currently has in excess of 20 affiliated clubs and represents the combined interests of some 2,500 individual fishers. Access to public land for boat launching and fishing is a fundamental concern for recreational fishers along with caring for the riverine environment.
The NSW Forest Products Association
The NSW Forest Products Association was established in 1906 as the representative organisation of the forest and forest products industry in NSW. The Association represent the industry to State, Federal and Local Governments. It has members across the whole State with branches in all major timber producing areas.
The FPA's principal role is industry representation at parliamentary, political and senior Government levels. It also deals with industry issues and provides technical advice to members on all facets of the industry, resource and market development. Supplying factual forest management information to the community is a key public service.
Website: www.nswfpa.asn.au
The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (Victoria)
The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (Victoria) was incorporated as a public company on the 1st of October 1973. We exist in order to promote the shooting sports and protect firearm owners interests.
With more than 25,000 members, the SSAA is the premier body representing licensed firearm owners in Victoria.
Website: www.ssaavic.com.au
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) is the peak industry body of the native hardwood processing industry in Victoria. It was established in 1945 under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904-1956 and represents its members' interests to governments, communities and markets.
VAFI is a Registered Organisation under the Workplace Relations Act 1996, governed by a member elected President, Management and Executive Committee.
Website: www.vafi.org.au
Timber Communities Australia
Our aim is to secure long term access to natural resources to generate employment and a future for regional communities, and to ensure our unique Australian forests are scientifically evaluated and sustainable managed for the benefit of future generations and genetic diversity.
Website: www.tca.org.au
VRFish
 VRFish, the Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body, representing over 500,000 recreational fishers, believes that the majority of the future management objectives identified by VEAC can be achieved through better resourcing of existing management plans and strategies and improved enforcement of current regulations applicable to public land within the study area, and do not require large scale changes from the current State Forest status for the greater majority of the study area.
· VRFish does not support any changes to current land status
· VRFish supports campfires within the study area and does not support and changes to current fire management arrangements
· VRFish supports camping within the study area
· Recreational fishing needs to be recognised
· VRFish supports environmental flows and wetland watering, subject to alignment with all Management Authorities policies
· Boat launching facilities must be retained and improved
VRFish believes further consultation and reflection with VEAC is essential to the task of developing final recommendations to Government. Regardless of name changes to public land status the importance of community acceptance of change cannot be understated, particularly recreational user communities.
To view VRFish’s full position on the River Red Gum Investigation go to www.vrfish.com.au
Victorian Farmers Federation
The Victorian Farmers Federation is Australia’s largest state farmer organisation, and the only recognised, consistent voice on issues affecting rural Victoria.
The VFF represents 19,000 farmer members, representing 15,000 farm enterprises. The VFF consists of an elected Board of Directors, a member representative General Council to set policy and seven commodity groups representing dairy, grains, livestock, horticulture, chicken meat, pigs, and egg industries.
Farmers are elected by their peers to direct each of the commodity groups and are supported by Melbourne-based staff.
Each VFF member is represented locally by one of the 260 VFF branches across the state and through their commodity representatives at local, district, state and national levels. The VFF also represents farmers’ views on hundreds of industry and government forums.
VICGAME
VICTORIAN GAME AND DEERSTALKING ASSOCIATION, known widely as VICGAME, was established as a family club over a decade ago. VICGAME was formed to promote ethical and responsible recreational hunting and fishing across Victoria, without detriment to the environment.
Decisions made now will affect the current use of public resources, and for many generations to come.
VICGAME opposes the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s draft proposals for the River Red Gum investigation area, and urges retention of the status of the State Game Reserves and other hunting, fishing, camping and recreational access rights for the general public. VICGAME upholds community support for the Rivers and Red Gum Environment Alliance.
Wakool Shire
Founded in 1906, the Shire of Wakool was mapped following the border (Murray River) from Barham down stream to Goodnight, approximately northwards to a point above the Murrumbidgee River beyond Balranald, then returning, generally in a South South Easterly direction to the Murray River upstream from Barham, encompassing some seven and one half thousand square kilometres, interlaced by some main rivers the Wakool, Niemur, Edward, numerous creeks and backwaters and the mighty Murrumbidgee.
Website: www.wakool.nsw.gov.au
Berrigan Shire Council
 Berrigan Shire Council believes that the attempts to have significant areas of NSW State Forest converted to National Park will have significant undesirable impacts upon the economic and environmental wealth of the region.
The harvesting of redgum timber from these forests has occurred over many years in a sustainable manner that has seen an increase in the forest while this has occurred.
The Council believes that whilst the present drought is significantly impacting the forest, the operation of the area as a commercial forest has been effectively managed over the long term.
The creation of national Parks will severely restrict traditional uses of the forest by the public and also creates a significant risk of poor public management that will see
ineffective weed control and fire prevention works.
Ineffective public management is likely to cause long term damage to the forest that has not occurred whilst it is a State Forest.
The Council will work with your organisation and its members and other interested organisations to ensure that the traditional sustainable use of the forest continues.
Website: www.berriganshire.nsw.gov.au
Murray Shire Council
The Murray Shire region was developed in the 1840s by squatters following the route of the overlanders as they drove cattle from Sydney to Adelaide in the late 1830's.
From the 1860's onwards, the selectors, mainly from Victoria, moved onto the squatter's land, their interest agriculture. The settlements of Moama and Mathoura survived over the years as centres for the movement of agriculture produce and the growth of the timber industry.
The area covered by the Shire of Murray today is unique. The Cadell Fault, which changed the course of the Murray River about 30,000 years ago traverses the area from north to south. The Murray River system supports one of the largest red gum forests in the world.
The Shire has grown into a progressive and diversified economic region with a future as exciting as its past.
Website: www.murray.nsw.gov.au
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW)
On the 15th April 1948, about 100 shooters met in the Railway Institute Building in Elizabeth Street, Sydney to form the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia.
The SSAA began in NSW because of the government's increasing involvement in firearm legislation. In 1950, NSW had adopted the title Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia, so everyone was clear that it was not to be just a 'One State' organisation.
SSAA (NSW) now represents over 36,000 members belonging to 50 branches across the state. It is not only the largest but also the most diverse organisation for the shooting sports in NSW.
Website: www.ssaansw.org.au
|
