THE main objective of the Central Highlands Alliance is to educate the regional community on environmental issues that affect their daily lives.
We do not discriminate against individuals, we do not intend to shut down recreational activities, we do not consider bush users and farmers to be anything but essential components of a flourishing community.
We would like to see greater recreational reserves set aside for the fun of 4WDs and trail bikers.
We would simply like to see the logging industry apportioned their end of the water bill for logging in our water catchments.
Logged catchments suffer reduced water runoff due to thirsty regrowing trees. The big timber industry is not paying a cent, it gets a freeforall and the farmers and domestic users pay scarcity based price hikes.
Logging in our catchments is causing sediment loads in the water that require even more expensive treatments to make the water potable and farmers and domestic users are paying for this.
As for timber workers’ jobs, perhaps if their union representation weren’t so busy building Australian Environment Foundations and Country Alliance Parties they could use the money to come up with an industry plan that protects jobs, helps turn unsustainable woodchipping into available plantations and develop green certification systems with international recognition so that the price of our logs were equal to that of the European market.
Sarah Rees
President
The Central Highlands Alliance
Healesville
IN LAST week’s Mail, I read the responses to David Risojevic’s letter Bigger Problems (Mail, 12 July) with interest.
His personal opinions appear to have upset some environmentalists who take issue with a little namecalling.
Hard working people on the land and in our forests have copped more than their fair share of unjustified, emotionallybased criticism and threats to their very livelihoods on a regular basis.
Our publicly owned forests are managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment on a multiple use basis … why then aren’t the environmentalists constantly criticising this department instead of the people using these forests in legitimate and regulated ways?
I can understand why people like David, fourwheel drivers, campers, fisherman, timber workers and farmers, whose love and appreciation of the outdoors is possibly greater than many environmentalists’, are frustrated with the unrelenting green push.
Without the 4WD enthusiasts and other bush users, most of whom adhere to the tread lightly philosophy, many of our bush tracks would be closed with obvious consequences for an injured bush walker, mountain bike or horse rider.
These roads also give access during bushfire events, and if these were not able to be fought, they would cause far greater longterm environmental impact on soils, water, flora, fauna and humans, than people whose passion it is to spend as much of their time experiencing the out doors will ever do.
Brian Garth
Healesville
with cattlemen
I READ (Mail, 19 July) the three responses to Mr Risojevic’s letter. I must say the three writers amuse me.
I am not a member of Country Alliance, nor for that matter any political party.
I may however join the Mountain Cattlemen’s Assocaotion, as I strongly believe that its fight for survival is a just and worthy cause.
I wonder if Chelsea, Peter and Sarah have actually been into the place up in the High Country where cattle grazing has taken place for 170 years?
I have. On foot, horseback and 4WD and have not seen this profound soil compaction, erosion or water pollution that the Greenies proclaim is rampant in this area.
Actually, where the Government has stopped the cattle from going in is now a mass of blackberries and thistles, which prior to the ban were there, but not in the abundance now there since the cattle were banned.
As for Mountain Cattlemen and their families, why should Victorians and Australians lose another historical/culturally important icon of our heritage, for a few people to lock up an area that has been and still can be used by all diverse groups and in the future?
By the way Chelsea, I am facially clean shaven.
In finishing, let’s face it none of us want another fire in the Alpine National Park and its surrounds. This is evidenced by the State Government’s own inquiry into the fires and the CFA report which both highlight the fact that the fires were not as intense or were non existent where cattle had been grazing.
I was proud to ride my horse in Melbourne recently as a Supporter of High Country grazing and fully back the notion of “A true wilderness is the space between a Greenies ears”.
David Hutchinson
Launching Place
Highlands
FOR the purpose of clarification and for the public record The Central Highlands Alliance (TCHA) is an incorporated nonprofit charity organisation run by volunteers.
TCHA’s committee and membership is made up of scientists, doctors, lawyers, professors, teachers and other well regarded members of the community both city and regionally based.
TCHA have no political affiliations. It is well networked with other environmental groups, industry bodies, and regularly meets with advisers and ministers of a multitude of political parties.
TCHA’s official purpose is : To educate and empower communities to affect change in ensuring the protection of native forest biodiversity and water catchments in the Victorian Central Highlands and other areas. We will educate through the sharing of knowledge and establish networks by liaising with other groups. We will effect change by campaigning for changes to legislation that will ultimately assist in the protection of the environment. We will encourage transition to ecologically sustainable development and will support this transition by managing relevant projects funded by government, corporate, or public donation.”
The Central Highlands Alliance will not tolerate defamation nor comments that mislead the public in relation to our purpose and will take appropriate action against organisations or individuals that choose to do so.
Adam Menary
Treasurer
The Central Highlands Alliance
Healesville
