Once Again our Traditional Values Are Being challenged.

DATE: 22/08/2007

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) recently released the River Redgum Forests Investigation Draft Proposals Paper for public comment.

The draft proposals paper recommends many changes along identified areas of the Murray River, regional wetlands and rivers. These proposed changes if implemented will affect the traditional rights and values of many recreational fishers and the camping community. Current President of the Association Rob Loats said, “Anglers in the region fully supported the issues identified in the recent VRFish media release and also indicated support for adequate environmental water delivery and the protection of woody habitat in wetlands and riverine system linkages, as both are vital for the recruitment and protection of all native fish, especially icon species like the Murray Cod.”

Rob also indicated he has been overwhelmed with calls from extremely concerned recreational anglers and the wider regional community who have made it clear, the traditional aesthetic value and social well being associated with camping and the communities traditional right to enjoy a campfire must never be extinguished.

“‘Just imagine’ camping in a proposed Park or Conservation Reserve during cold weather conditions ‘

Other concerns raised by the regional angling community have been proposed recommendations targeted towards restricted access to visit and camp in proposed Murray River Parks, Conservation Reserves and National Parks that fail to have a fully detailed area based management plan, possible restrictions to launch a boat, failure to recognise the social/economic value of fishing in the study area, restricting visitation and access in recommended National Parks and Nature Conservation Reserves, and no recognition that the current management policies, if adequately resourced and enforced would prevent many of the current impacts identified in the paper.

Without a Campfire’ and the ability to cook up a damper or enjoy a hot camp oven meal, cooked over the coals of a warm fire while enjoying the tranquil surrounds of the mighty Murray River! ‘Clearly not the traditional Lucky Country as we currently know it’.”

“Wood is a renewable resource, camping is an Australian tradition, so why leave the fishing and camping community out in the COLD”?

1:59 PM - 22/8/2007 - post comment