Conflicts of interest over the

4.2.1-
use of outdoor environments
Our focus
Given our prior knowledge, and the
environments we have studied and visited across
units 3-4, we will be focusing on the following two
conflicts:
1. Grazing in the Alpine National Park
- This relates to our experiences and study of the Bogong
High Plains.
2. Proposed creation of the Great Forest National
Park
- This relates to our experiences and study of the Yarra
Ranges region and Lake Mountain.
Background
 As we have learned, there is an incredibly vast range of
relationships with outdoor environments.
 Many individuals or groups have very different opinions about
how environments should be used.
 Conflicts occur because of these differences, particularly
when a specific environment has a range of opposing
perspectives about how it should potentially be used.
 EG: some people perceive the environment as a resource to
provide for human needs, which often is at odds with those
who wish for humans to leave in harmony with the
environment.
 Unfortunately, it is rarely this clear-cut or obvious. Often
competing views involve very specific aspects of the
environment- the impacts human use may cause, perceived
impacts on specific species, disagreement about
conservation values, one user impacting on another’s ability
to access a venue, and more….
Conflicts can be confusing…
It can be easy to see some conflict- others less so.
Example 1:
Primary industry use of the
environment generally focuses on the
resources the environment can
provide.
These interactions and their impacts
are often heavily considered and
even minimised as much as possible.
However, if the environment used for
them is valued differently by others in
society, either as a venue for
recreation or as a site of
conservational significance, conflict
may arise.
It is often difficult to reach
compromise in these cases
Example 2:
Conflict can also occur between users
how have the same values or who
participate in similar interactions with
the environment.
Different recreational users can often
disagree with each other over the use
of the same venue.
• Fisherman and surfers
• Horse-riders and trail-bikers
• Skiers and snowboarders
These cases are more likely to be
resolved through negotiation as both
have a vested interest in being able to
access the same environments
CONFLICT ONE

Grazing in the Alpine National Park

(Vic)
Location
• Alpine areas in Australia occupy only
0.5% of our land mass
• Alpine environments in Victoria
generally occur at 1300m above sea
level
• These areas experience the greatest
seasonal variance of all environments
in Australia
• Much of the South East of Australia
relies on Alpine regions as the
headwaters of their major rivers
• The rarity of this environment means
that most of the species that survive
here have specifically adapted to do
so but are also extremely vulnerable to
change.
- Mt pygmy possum
- Sphagnum bogs
- Alpine Heathlands
Who’s involved?
Issue: Cattle Grazing
Interactions Position on issue
Group 1 – Wish to access the Victorian Continue the practice of
Mountain Cattlemen’s high country during the seasonal cattle grazing
Association of Victoria warmer months for grazing
Group 2 – Conservation of alpine End of cattle grazing
Victoria National Parks environment so it can be
Association enjoyed for recreation
Specific perspectives
MCAV:
Represents people who’s families have
grazed their cattle in the Victorian High
Country since 1834
Justification/arguments for grazing:
• It reduces potential bushfire
• Cattle eat weeds
• Cattle control the spread of wood
shrubs
• Maintains the heritage of the
mountain cattlemen
• Cattlemen control feral animals (pigs,
dogs, etc).
VNPA:
Is the interest group formed in 1952
that pushed for more areas to be
protected as National Park
Justification/arguments for NO grazing:
• Cattle spread weeds through faeces
• Cattle trample and damage peat
beds and bogs
• Grazing threatens some plants with
extinction (through selective grazing)
• Cattle pollute waterways
• Cattle grazing increases the amount
of bare ground (erosion issues)
• Conservation should be the focus of
NP not primary industry
CONFLICT TWO

Proposed Great Forest National Park

 • The Great Forest National
Location Park proposes adding a new
355,000 hectares of
protected forests to the
existing 170,000 hectares of
parks and protected areas in
the Central Highlands of
Victoria.
• This will join a number of
existing NP’s, SP’s and SF’s
• The region includes the vast
majority of remaining (and
declining) Leadbeater’s
Possums, Mountain Ash,
the most carbon dense
forests in the world; and
supplies most of the drinking
water for the city of
Melbourne.
• Forests within this region are
economically very important
for the native timber industry-
a key employer of people
who live within the region.
Who’s involved?
Issue: Proposal to declare a national park over 5000km2 that
incorporates existing National Parks, reserves and State forests
Interactions Position on issue
Group 1 – Campaigning for the creation The GFNP will recognise and
Great Forest National of the GFNP that focuses on a protect the natural and
Park working group balance of conservation cultural values of the unique
management and broad forests covering the Central
recreational possibilities, and Highlands of Victoria
the discontinuation of
exploitive interactions
Group 2 – Timber harvesting; exploitative State forests should remain to
• Forestry Industry recreational activities (eg: enable continued primary
• Some recreational deer hunting, 4WDing) industry, and hunting of
interest groups introduced species, as these
provide better environmental
management and the
greatest benefit for the
Victorian public
Specific perspectives
GFNP working group:
Is an advocacy group comprised of a number of interest groups working towards the
same goal:
• Friends of the Leadbeater’s possum • Victorian National Parks Association
• Friends of Toolangi • Australian Conservation Foundation
• Healesville environment watch • Local residents
• Warburton environment group • Independent conservationists/scientists
• The Wilderness Society

Justification/arguments for the proposed GFNP:

• Protection of the forest environment and biodiversity from the timber industry
• Restore regional economy via nature based tourism
• Save the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum, Sooty Owl (and other species)
from extinction by protecting a broader and less fragmented habitat
• 9 out 10 Victorians support the proposal
• Protecting forest environments safeguards against climate change by providing a
carbon sink (removes CO2 from the atmosphere)
• Protection of water catchments for commercial and domestic use
• Conservation of places of spiritual significance and nourishment for traditional owners
 Specific perspectives
Forestry industry: Recreational users:
• This includes the following groups: • Australian deer association
• VicForests • Combined firearms council of Victoria
• Institute of forests Australia Justification/arguments against the GFNP:
• Friends of forestry • Game hunting contributes to feral species
management
• Local forestry employees
• Contributes $400 million to state economy
Justification/arguments against the GFNP: • Water catchment potential is not significant
• Vic forestry industry in crisis • Hunters should maintain current accessibility
• 3000-5000 jobs will be lost • Climate change benefits are speculative
• Tourism can’t make up for these losses • Fear that motorised access will be restricted
• Logging is not carried out in endangered species habitat (as per FFG act)
• Fire is more of a threat to endangered species and requires forest management
• Timber industry is in reserves that are sustainably managed
• Wood production is planned and controlled on a scientific basis, including sustainable
practices
• Social , economic and environmental impacts all need to be considered and
compromises made
For the exam:
You need to be able to-
 Have knowledge of a conflict of interest
between two groups that have opposing views
about the use of the environment.
 This includes:
◦ An outdoor environment involved
◦ A contentious issue over its use
◦ At least two groups with different interactions
◦ At least two groups with opposing perceptions