28/01/2005 - Government
is on notice to ensure the heritage values
of the Alpine National Park are protected,
the Minister for Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell said today.
While the park would not be emergency listed
on the National Heritage List at this stage,
Senator Campbell said the Alpine National
Park added outstanding heritage value to
the nation.
He said his decision took into account
evidence of the natural and cultural heritage
of the park, including the history of alpine
grazing.
"The Mountain Cattlemen's Association
of Victoria has my support in their pursuit
of a standard nomination on the National
Heritage List," Senator Campbell said.
"The application for an emergency
listing was unsuccessful because it did
not meet the second requirement of emergency
heritage listing — that one or more of the
values is under immediate threat.
"However, if the Victorian Government
does make a decision that threatens alpine
grazing, I will reconsider the question
of emergency listing.
"My decision not to emergency list
the Alpine National Park does not affect
the standard nomination for inclusion on
the National Heritage List, or influence
its outcome," he said.
The Mountain Cattlemen's Association of
Victoria submitted an application to the
Minister to emergency list the Alpine National
Park in January this year.
It was submitted in response to the Victorian
Government setting up a process to determine
whether 63 alpine grazing licences should
be renewed when they fall due in August
this year.
The National Heritage List came into effect
under new heritage legislation last year.
Places listed on the National Heritage List
must be of exceptional value and importance
to the nation as a whole.
The legislation establishes a process for
the Australian Heritage Council to assess
standard nominations for the National Heritage
List over a period of 12 months and present
a report to the Minister for the Environment
and Heritage. In making their assessment,
the Australian Heritage Council does not
take threat into account. Emergency listing
provides a process for the Minister to protect
possible places of outstanding national
significance that are under threat. Applications
to emergency list places on the National
Heritage List are made directly to the Minister
to consider.
