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.Cite web|url=http://www.vnpa.org.au/level2.php?page_ID=2&page_level2_ID=2|title=Who Is The VNPA?|accessdate=2008-02-05|publisher=Victorian National Parks Association|year=2007-10] 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.Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/03/1086203564102.html|title=State Goes Greener as Parks Expand|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2004-06-04|author=Melissa Fyfe|work=The Age]

Campaigns

* The allocation of more lands for logging in the Murray River region,Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23110281-2862,00.html|title=Murry Logging Appeal|accessdate=2008-02-05|year=2008-01-26|author=Sarah Wotherspoon|work=Herald Sun] during which VNPA encouraged the government to reconsider its forestry policy (2008) amid concerns that the wetlands could be lost forever.Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Parks-needed-to-save-river-red-gums/2007/09/25/1190486275627.html|title=Parks 'Needed' To Save River Red Gums|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2007-09-25|work=The Age]
* The desire to end cattle grazing in Alpine National Park in 2004,Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/06/1089000154839.html?from=storylhs|title=The Graze Debate Over Alpine Country|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2004-07-07|author=Darren Gray|work=The Age] which was protested by a number of cattlemen who took their cause to the federal government in Canberra in 2005.Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Cattlemen-take-case-to-Canberra/2005/01/08/1104832352803.html|title=Cattlemen Take Case to Canberra|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2005-01-09|author=Claire Miller|work=The Age] This case has garnered national attention due to the desire to have the Australian Alps listed as a World Heritage site.Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/25/1066974368653.html|title=Alpine Cattle Row Revived|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2003-10-26|author=Kirsty Simpson|work=The Age]
* The banning of oil and gas exploration in all marine national parks in Victoria in 2004.Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Marine-park-ban-on-gas-oil-searches/2004/11/15/1100384495249.html|title=Marine Park Ban on Gas, Oil Searches|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2004-11-16|author=Melissa Fyfe|work=The Age]
* The campaign for the preservation of a united Point Nepean,Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/10/1073437512548.html|title=How the Battle for Point Nepean Unfolded|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2004-01-11|work=The Age] although the traditional owners ultimately went for another group's plan.Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/01/1059480554294.html|title=Traditional Owners Back Community Bid for Point Nepean|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2003-08-02|author=Melissa Fyfe|work=The Age] Despite this, it's expected that a portion of the area will be declared a national park within the next several years.Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/walk-in-the-park-for-victorians-follows-long-battle/2006/01/21/1137734188655.html|title=Walk in the Park for Victorians Follows Long Battle|accessdate=2008-02-06|year=2006-01-22|author=Jason Dowling|work=The Age]

References