Protecting the environment for future generations
Victoria today
Most Victorians have access to clean air and water and all can visit our national parks. But Victoria’s environment is under pressure. This is particularly true for many of our rivers and much of our land and native vegetation. Considerable progress has been made since 1999. More water is flowing down the Snowy River. We have ended woodchipping in the Wombat State Forest and reduced logging by over 30 per cent across the State (including a 25 per cent reduction in the Otways). Our farmers are continually improving agricultural productivity by managing their land better. We have legislated to protect Melbourne’s green wedge areas to ensure the city can continue to grow without destroying the ‘lungs’ that help make it so liveable.
Challenges ahead
The rural landscape - including our rivers - has historically suffered from poor management practices, yet our land and water support our most significant and export-oriented industries. We have unacceptably high levels of erosion, salinity, acidification and loss of native plant and animal species. We have a responsibility to introduce more sustainable land management practices and increase protection for the natural environment.
Measuring progress
We need to measure progress through improvements in the health of our waterways, the quality of our air and water, and the condition of our land and native vegetation, which supports the diversity of our species.
- The health of Victoria’s rivers will improve significantly by 2010. In particular, the Snowy River will be returned to 21 per cent of its original flow by 2011, and 28 per cent over time
- The quality of air and drinking water will improve
- The extent and quality of native vegetation will increase
- The condition of our land will improve as the impact of salinity and soil degradation is reduced
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