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Birding-aussies,
Out of interest, the DSE web page indicates
approximately 5,500 square kilometres of intended fuel reduction burning in
Victoria between 2004 and 2007. This is approximately 2.5% of the surface area
of Victoria. If we assume that most fuel reduction burning is happening in
National Parks and reserves that comprise about 16% of Victoria's area (36,000
square kilometres), this means that about 15.5% of parks and reserves are likely
to be burned during this period.
Before the legendary John Seebeck passed away, he
wrote in Mammals of Victoria of Long-nosed Potoroo, saying:
"Most regional populations are
relatively secure, since the species occurs in conservation
reserves"
I wonder how many other species are secure only
because they are mostly found in conservation reserves and national parks?
Clearly it is time that Victoria made a choice, either to abandon the State's
biodiversity that it might, just by chance, withstand continuing fire
reduction measures, or to try to guarantee this for the benefit of this and
future generations of Victorians.
The address of the Federal and State environment
Ministers are:
Hon. John Thwaites MP
Minister for Environment
Lvl 3, 1 Treasury Place
East Melbourne
3000
Senator the Hon. Ian Campbell
Minister for the Environment and
Heritage
Parliament House, Canberra, ACT
2600
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