Victorian National Parks Association

The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) is the prime supporter of nature conservation in the Australian state of Victoria. VNPA meets regularly with heads of government agencies and State Government ministers in order to promote and achieve various conservation goals.

History

The Victorian National Parks Association was formed in 1952 when Victoria had 13 national parks and lacked any legislation governing these parks. As of 2007, Victoria had 52 national parks (including 13 marine national parks), 30 state parks, three wilderness parks, and 11 marine sanctuaries protected under the National Parks Act.^[1] The expansion of the state's parks has led to VNPA encouraging the state government and other private entities to provide additional funding for the conservation of these important areas.^[2]

Campaigns

• The allocation of more lands for logging in the Murray River region,^[3] during which VNPA encouraged the government to reconsider its forestry policy (2008) amid concerns that the wetlands could be lost forever.^[4]
• The desire to end cattle grazing in Alpine National Park in 2004,^[5] which was protested by a number of cattlemen who took their cause to the federal government in Canberra in 2005.^[6] This case has garnered national attention due to the desire to have the Australian Alps listed as a World Heritage site.^[7]
• The banning of oil and gas exploration in all marine national parks in Victoria in 2004.^[8]
• The campaign for the preservation of a united Point Nepean,^[9] although the traditional owners ultimately went for another group's plan.^[10] Despite this, it's expected that a portion of the area will be declared a national park within the next several years.^[11]

See also

• Conservation in Australia

References

1. "Who Is The VNPA?". Victorian National Parks Association. 2007-10. Archived from the original on 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-02-05. Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. Melissa Fyfe (2004-06-04). "State Goes Greener as Parks Expand". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
3. Sarah Wotherspoon (2008-01-26). "Murray Logging Appeal". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
4. "Parks 'Needed' To Save River Red Gums". The Age. 2007-09-25. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
5. Darren Gray (2004-07-07). "The Graze Debate Over Alpine Country". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
6. Claire Miller (2005-01-09). "Cattlemen Take Case to Canberra". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
7. Kirsty Simpson (2003-10-26). "Alpine Cattle Row Revived". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
8. Melissa Fyfe (2004-11-16). "Marine Park Ban on Gas, Oil Searches". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
9. "How the Battle for Point Nepean Unfolded". The Age. 2004-01-11. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
10. Melissa Fyfe (2003-08-02). "Traditional Owners Back Community Bid for Point Nepean". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
11. Jason Dowling (2006-01-22). "Walk in the Park for Victorians Follows Long Battle". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-06.

External links

VPNA official website