Media Release: MELBOURNE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

FROM THE MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

DATE: Monday, June 30, 2008

MELBOURNE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

The Brumby Government will ask the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) to undertake new investigations of how Crown land can contribute to Melbourne’s liveability and native vegetation.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation and the Remnant Native Vegetation Investigation would help Victoria plan for the future.

“The Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation will help inform the Brumby Government on how Crown land can enhance our city’s liveability and its natural environment,” Mr Jennings said.

“The Remnant Native Vegetation Investigation will help identify Crown land that contributes to biodiversity.

“Climate change is predicted to have serious impacts on our biodiversity, so these patches of native vegetation will become increasingly important.

“By looking at remnant vegetation we can link critical habitat to help animals to move between areas of native vegetation that are now fragmented or to better protect existing habitat.”

The terms of reference for both investigations were tabled in Parliament last week.

VEAC conducts its investigations independently from the Victorian Government and the Environment and Climate Change Minister.

Mr Jennings proposed the two studies earlier this year and invited public comment on the terms of reference. Submissions received were overwhelmingly supportive of both proposals.

The vegetation-based study will examine remnant native vegetation occurring outside largely intact landscapes.

The focus will be on smaller, isolated areas where the landscape has been disturbed.

The Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation will explore opportunities to enhance Melbourne’s liveability and its natural values on Crown land that has no specific use at present.

The Minister will ask VEAC to commence the new investigations shortly.

VEAC is required to submit its final report for Remnant Native Vegetation Investigation in March 2010 and for the Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation in May 2010.