Panel recommends Traditional Owners become legal custodians of the Strathbogie Forest
Earlier this year the Victorian Environment Assessment Council conducted an assessment of the cultural and ecological values of the Strathbogie Forest IPA. Around the same time and for several months, an Eminent Panel, appointed by the Victorian Environment Minister, engaged interested groups and individuals about the future of the Strathbogie Forest.
Save Our Strathbogie Forest has been strongly supportive of the Taungurung Land & Waters Council (TL&WC) becoming custodians of the Strathbogie Forest and this petition sought to publicly lend weight to that goal.
A few days ago the report of the Panel's findings and recommendations to the Minister was published and we were not disappointed.
We are now on the cusp of something very special - an entirely new model of cooperative land management in Victoria that puts TOs at the center of decision making.
The recommendations for the Strathbogie Forest IPA include virtually everything that TL&WC, SOSF and many in the community had called for. Some highlights include:
- That the forest be managed as a Cultural Reserve, a new type of reserve as identified in the Victorian Traditional Owner Cultural Landscapes Strategy, and proposed under the Public Land Act review.
Until the Cultural Reserve category is finalized - Traditional Owner's biocultural values, knowledge and interests be maintained; cultural values, significant species, spiritual associations and kinship relationships be restored and enhanced; active management to heal Country through application of TO knowledge and practice as well as contemporary conservation practices be applied; opportunities for recreation, enjoyment of nature and education continue.- Appointment of the TL&WC as a Category 1 Committee of Management.
- TL&WC work closely with DELWP and current management resources remain in place during this pilot phase.
- Develop a collaborative management plan that provides guidance for managing local needs while healing and caring for Country.
- A dedicated Executive Officer position within TL&WC to oversee the transition and resources to support community engagement and management planning.
- An increase in ongoing funding be provided to deliver comprehensive land management, including both cultural and conservation practices.
The report contains more detail, of course, but even the points presented here display a significant shift in the concept of land management as practiced in Victoria. We commend the Panel for their thorough listening to community and their comprehensive report.
Sincere thanks to everyone that has supported this petition and the broader work done by community and the TL&WC to bring us to this point.
The remaining challenge is to encourage and support Minister D'Ambrosio and the Victorian government to accept and implement these recommendations. Let's do it.
Bertram Lobert
The attached video gives a taste of the landscape being protected.