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Lead Author: Mark Wakeham, Environment Victoria
Email: [email protected]
VISIONS FOR VICTORIA
DRAFT WORKING PAPER: ENVIRONMENT
INTRODUCTION
Despite improved understanding of the natural environment and decades of investment in environmental
programs Victoria’s environment continues to decline. While there have been some significant initiatives
under the Bracks/Brumby Governments, the rapid onset of climate change has profound implications for
Victoria’s environment. Key environmental challenges remain around:
- Water and healthy rivers
- A natural Victoria – Biodiversity protection in the face of climate change
- Wordl Class Protected areas
- Resource Efficiency and Sustainability
The Bracks/Brumby Government made significant headway particularly in the area of water policy
development, though much of this progress has been undone since a dry 2006 when the Government’s
2004 well received blueprint, Our Water Our Future Together, was essentially thrown out in favour of the
quickly cobbled together Next Stage water plan.1 Victoria’s rivers and wetlands are in poor health and are
continually denied their legal water entitlement in favour of other users.
Victoria’s biodiversity remains in a state of crisis as climate change and water have increasingly dominated
the public debate. This biodiversity crisis will worsen without policy intervention with the onset of climate
change and reduced rainfall intensify. Victoria has made some steps towards valuing ecosystem services
though the economic contribution of a healthy natural environment is still not fully valued, and it remains
cheaper to degrade the natural environment than protect or restore it. While the State Government has a
broad range of environmental protection and restoration programs, an overarching, coherent approach is
lacking. The Land and Biodiversity at a time of climate change White Paper offers an opportunity to gather
together and coordinate many of the State’s environmental strategies, though the document will need
significant strengthening from the Green Paper if it is to fulfill this role.
Victoria remains the most cleared and fragmented state in the Country. We are still seeking to recover from
the land-use practices of previous generations . While some significant progress has been made toward
protecting our remaining natural areas, more is needed if we are to prepare our natural areas for predicted
climate change impacts.
Victoria remains an inefficient user of resources and a large producer of waste: Victoria’s material
requirements have recently been estimated at 180 tonnes per year per person2, which requires significant
inputs of water and energy. Victoria’s production and consumption patterns can be categorized as ‘hot,
heavy and wet’, when they need to be ‘cool, light and dry’ to minimise their environmental footprint.
Similarly a coordinated vision for modernizing the Victorian economy to improve materials efficiency is
lacking. Such an approach is needed if Victoria is going to be at the forefront of green collar jobs and
industries.
This process was criticized by the State Auditor General in his report “Planning for Water Infrastructure in Victoria”, available at
http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/reports__publications/reports_by_year/2008/20080409_water_infrastructure.aspx
2
Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, State of the Environment Report Victoria, Draft, June 2008, p.85
1
THE BRUMBY GOVERNMENT’S VISION
In 2006 State ALP policy promised that “Labor believes that we have a responsibility to manage our natural
assets so that our children, and future generations, have the opportunity to enjoy them as much as we do”3.
On water the 2006 election platform highlighted Victoria’s progress in water savings and boasted that the
Government’s Our Water our Future Plan and the Central Region Sustainable Water strategy were the
benchmarks for regional water planning. Unfortunately these strategies were effectively suspended following
a dry 2006.
SUCCESSES
From 1999 until 2006 the ALP Government made significant progress in managing Victoria’s water
resources, improving water conservation and efficiency efforts and increasing legal protection for rivers via
the Environmental Water Reserve. The legislated environmental levy on water bills has provided hundreds
of millions of dollars to invest in water efficiency and river health. Melbourne’s water saving efforts set the
standard for community awareness and behaviour change campaigns. Investment in irrigation efficiency
should provide more water for rivers. The Sustainable Water Strategy process is a robust planning and
management tool- provided that the Strategy is implemented. Promises to deliver environmental flows to the
Thomson, Macalister and Yarra Rivers were important milestones for rivers protection, though these
commitments are yet to be delivered.
In terms of nature conservation the ALP Government has added Ironbark forests, Otways forests and
marine areas to the national parks estate and most recently created the Cobboboonee National and Forest
Park. Prior to the 2006 State election the ALP promised to implement any recommendations by Victorian
Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) for new Red Gum National Parks. VEAC has now
recommended new Red Gum National Parks and water requirements of these forests and wetlands.
Environment groups expect that the Brumby Government will deliver on these promises. In 2006, the ALP
also committed to ‘immediately protect the last significant stands of old growth forest currently available for
logging’. This promise has yet to be delivered.
The Brumby Government is developing a ‘Land and Biodiversity at a time of climate change’ White Paper as
promised ahead of the 2006 State election. The Green paper has a strong emphasis on ecosystem services
and market like instruments which is welcome.
In the waste and resource efficiency area Sustainability Victoria has some cutting edge programs focused
on achieving the Government’s Towards Zero Waste Strategy. Landfill levies increased until recently which
provides added incentives to recycle. A commitment to phase out free single-use plastic bags by 2009 is
significant however a concerted effort to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste across the Victorian
economy is yet to emerge.
ISSUES OF CONCERN
Victoria’s natural environment is in an extremely fragile state after decades of over-extraction and habitat
loss. The upcoming State of Environment (SoE) report highlights that “climate change, population growth
and settlements, economic growth and consumption are the overarching driving forces of environmental
degradation”4. Projections are for all of these drivers to increase pressure on the Victorian environment. In
3
4
Policy for the 2006 Victorian Election: Victoria’s National Parks and Biodiversity, p.1.
Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, State of the Environment Report Victoria, Draft, June 2008, Part two, p.1
some cases this will push natural systems beyond breaking point. The SoE report also highlights that
Victoria’s ecological footprint is 7.57 global hectares per person (hectares with world-average biological
productivity), while the world average is 2.2 global hectares per person5. To ease the pressure and restore
natural ecosystems we will need a step-change in policy, programs and resourcing from the State
Government.
Environment groups are concerned that much of Victoria’s strong work around water and rivers protection
has been unraveling since 2006 when a dry year saw the State Government abandon its key water
strategies. Victorian rivers are in a poor state with the Sustainable Rivers Audit finding 9 out of 10 river
systems in the Victorian part of the Murray Darling Basin in very poor ecological health and 1 out of 10 in
poor ecological health6. While drought is hitting hard, the environment seems to be the last cab off the rank
when it comes to water allocations. Upgrades to irrigation systems should provide increased environmental
water, however the State Government’s refusal to guarantee environmental water entitlements, lift barriers
to trade for water or to purchase water for the environment is exacerbating the effect of the drought on
Victoria’s rivers.
Sustainable plans to meet Melbourne’s water needs and protect the cities rivers were abandoned in 2006
with the Government’s Next Stage Plan. This plan involves one of the largest desalination plants ever built
and a pipeline to bring water to Melbourne from the Goulburn River (which is the most stressed river in the
Victorian Murray Darling Basin). The Government’s infrastructure-centred approach to water supply will
substantially increase water prices and the State’s energy use, and potentially discourage water
conservation and efficiency measures. Given the size of the proposed desalination plant (150 GL/year) it
has the potential to crowd out other more sustainable water solutions like stormwater harvesting and water
recycling. The Government’s promise that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy
remains uncertain with no detail about the mechanism by which this ‘offset’ will take place.
Victoria’s biodiversity is in crisis. Fifty four percent of the state’s native vegetation has been cleared. Victoria
has the most stressed landscapes in the country (National Land and Water Resources Audit 2002).
According to the CSIRO (Dunlop et al. 2004), 44 per cent of Victoria’s native plants and 30 per cent of our
native animals are extinct or threatened. The downward trend is continuing, with a range of studies
revealing the ongoing decline of Victoria’s land and water resources and biodiversity (Dunlop et al.; VCMC
2007).
To address the biodiversity crisis Victoria needs to set clear, ambitious but achievable statewide targets for
biodiversity and land health. To know whether or not we are reaching our targets, systematic long-term
ecological monitoring programs are needed. At least a 10-fold increase in government funding for the onground work is needed to protect, restore, and revegetate wildlife habitat across the state. A new approach
to conservation is required that goes beyond isolated protected areas to an integrated whole of landscape
approach based on protecting and restoring the ecological processes that maintain biodiversity.
National parks and other protected areas play a crucial role in the protection of biodiversity and in providing
ecosystem services such as clean water, as well as significant recreation and tourism opportunities across
the state (Parks Victoria 2007).
There are 118 parks reserved under Victoria’s National Parks Act, including a great range of terrestrial
national, state and regional parks, as well as marine national parks and sanctuaries. In all, the nature
conservation reserve system covers some 3.2 million hectares, or 16% of the State. In addition, some 2,800
smaller reserves covering 0.5 million hectares are given lesser protection under the Crown Lands Act. To be
5
6
Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, State of the Environment Report Victoria, Draft, June 2008, Part 3, p.3
Murray Darling Basin Commission, Sustainable Rivers Audit, 2008
truly effective however, the reserve system must include viable areas of every vegetation type in the state
as per national objectives. Some, such as Red Gum forests and wetlands, grasslands and grassy
woodlands are still inadequately represented.
Victoria has been slow to involve traditional owners in joint management of the Parks estate. The State
Government should use the River Red Gum Parks decision to embark on a new era of parks management
in cooperation with indigenous traditional owners.
Although the information is not publicly available, it appears that Victoria spends well under $30 million per
year (possibly only $15 million per year) on the ecological management of Victoria’s parks. This is less than
$5 per hectare, which is significantly less than NSW and far below what is required to maintain the natural
values of the park system7. Coupled with insufficient funds for management, Victoria spends only two
million dollars per year expanding the park system through public acquisition; far less than other states, and
far less than what is needed to incorporate threatened communities into the system before they disappear
forever (Sattler & Taylor 2008).
Some 90 to 95 per cent of Victoria’s marine plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world
(Victorian Coastal Council 2007). However, the health of the state’s estuarine, marine and coastal
ecosystems is currently ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ and trending downward. The State Government should ensure
that 20-30 per cent of each habitat type is protected in the marine and coastal environment. Alongside a
world class system of protected areas, all threats to marine and coastal environments should be
systematically identified, and comprehensive, clear and well-resourced management strategies developed.
Ecosystems play a key role in the global carbon cycle. The Stern Review (2006) estimated that emissions
from deforestation account for over 18% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, and this is an
underestimate as it does not include all emissions sources. It concluded that curbing deforestation is a
highly effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and that action to preserve the remaining areas
of natural forest is urgent.
The State Government should halt the clearing, logging and degradation of native vegetation in order to
reduce carbon emissions, and establish ongoing funding mechanisms for the long term management of
carbon stores and biodiversity in existing native vegetation.
As far as resource efficiency goes the Victorian Government’s ‘Towards Zero Waste Strategy’ has
established reasonably strong targets for waste reduction which the Government is generally on track to
achieve. Recycling rates are at an all time high (62%), though the amount of waste going to landfill has only
decreased slightly8. Movement has been slower in the area of extended producer responsibility, with
important waste streams like electronic waste, plastic bags, containers, and fluorescent lamps needing
urgent attention. Organic waste in landfill is a growing problem which needs addressing both to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and the long term effects of disused sites.
Victorian environment groups are calling for action in four key areas:
- Water and healthy rivers
- A natural Victoria – Biodiversity protection in the face of climate change
7
Estimate based on information in: Parks Victoria. Annual Report 2006-2007 and Sattler and Taylor 2008.
Victorian Recycling Industries Annual Survey 2006-2007
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/victorian_recycling_industries_annual_survey_200
6-07.pdf
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World Class Protected areas
Resource Efficiency & Sustainability
1) Water & Healthy Rivers
To address the decline in Victoria’s rivers the State Government needs to repair the balance between
environmental needs and consumptive users by:
Increasing the Environmental Water Reserve (EWR) for each of Victoria’s rivers to meet
scientific flow recommendations for healthy rivers and floodplains under climate change scenarios.
1.
Ensure all Victorian rivers and wetlands receive their environmental water reserve ahead of consumptive
users. This will require that the State Government review its opposition to purchasing water for the
environment and lifts barriers to trade of water (the 4% rule).
2.
Ensure that new major water infrastructure projects, eg desalination plant and Goulburn pipeline,
are carbon neutral via robust and transparent contracts to require the purchase of additional, new renewable
energy to meet their energy needs.
2)
A natural Victoria – Biodiversity protection in the face of climate change
To address the biodiversity crisis Victoria needs to set clear, ambitious but achievable
statewide targets for biodiversity and land health. To know whether or not we are reaching our
targets, systematic long-term ecological monitoring programs are needed. At least a 10-fold
increase in government funding for the on-ground work is needed to protect, restore, and
revegetate wildlife habitat across the state.
1.
2.
Use the Biodiversity White Paper to develop whole of landscape approaches based on
protecting and restoring the ecological processes that maintain biodiversity. This will involve linking up the
management or protected areas and private land at the landscape scale and will require new management
and funding models.
3.
halt the clearing, logging and degradation of native vegetation in order to reduce carbon emissions,
and establish ongoing funding mechanisms for the long term management of carbon stores and biodiversity
in existing native vegetation.
3)
World Class Protected Areas
1.
Extend the terrestrial and marine parks estate to provide adequate representation of all
ecosystem types in line with global commitments
2.
Accept and implement the VEAC recommendations for new Red Gum National Parks and water
requirements of these forests and wetlands.
3.
Use the River Red Gum Parks decision to embark on a new era of parks management in
cooperation with indigenous traditional owners.
4.
Deliever on commitments to protect ‘last remaining stands of old growth available for logging’ and
develop transition strategies to stop logging high conservation and carbon value forests.
5.
Dramatically increase funding for the management of parks and reserves to prepare them for the
potentially dramatic impacts of climate change.
4)
Resource Efficiency & Sustainability
1.
Deliver the commitment to phase out free single-use plastic bags by 2009
2.
Introduce landfill bans on resource streams which are either problematic or for which the recycling
industry is established, starting with:
 Packaging materials
 E-waste, including mercury containing lamps
 Unstabilised organics
3.
introduce stronger product standards to improve resource efficiency. Two examples of this include
regulation requiring that all packaging material should be recyclable, and establishing maximum mercury
levels for fluorescent lights.
4.
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes should be introduced to increase away from
home recycling and to deal with problematic materials, starting with:
a. Container deposit legislation (CDL)
b. Mandatory takeback scheme for e-waste, including mercury containing lamps
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