 Convenor and Contact
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, 03 9641 1484
Meetings
Meetings monthly at 6.30 pm prior to the BA-Vic general meeting in Green Building, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton.
Who We Are
The Birds Australia Victoria Conservation Committee is a group of people who volunteer their time to consider, comment on and respond to conservation issues arising within Victoria.
Mark Anderson convenes the group but there is no formal membership as such. People with an interest may join the meetings as and when they can, consider and investigate an issue without coming to the meetings or simply receive copies of the meeting minutes just to keep in touch with the issues under consideration.
The important thing is for each person to do something if only once to help the conservation cause. A great knowledge of birds and the environment is not necessarily required, just the willingness to ask questions, assess facts and act to bring about a change, however small.
 Our Role
Consistent with Birds Australia, we have in each case to consider whether an issue really is a conservation issue concerning biological diversity and focuses on species populations, habitats and threatening processes.
An issue sent to us may have little to do with birds and habitat but may have a lot to do with other matters and thus may not be relevant to our group. We will attempt to address state and local issues whilst National office will address national issues eg Wind powered electricity generation and other matters reported elsewhere.
The big issues of interest or concern at the moment are outlined below.
Latest News and Submissions
Land and Biodiversity at a time of Climate Change Green Paper Submission
Waterfowl Hunting
Murtnaghurt Lagoon Submission
VEAC River Red Gum Study
Over the past 2 years while the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) study of the river red gum region has been running BA Victoria has taken several opportunities to make submissions when the opportunity has been available. Our latest submission on the draft recommendation may be viewed here. The submission period on the draft recommendations for the River Red Gum Study Area closed in October 2007. Final Recommendations are due to be presented to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change by 31 July 2008 and must then be released within seven days. Nearly 7000 written submissions were received by VEAC and are in the process of being placed on the VEAC website where they will be available to the public.
The Atlas data was extremely valuable when preparing our submissions. It showed that there were just over 300 species of bird recorded in the study area by the two major Atlas projects. About 20% of these species were rare or uncommon, a number which have a threatened species classification in Victoria. This part of the list included Regent and Superb Parrots, Plains-wanderer, Painted Snipe and Grey-crowned Babbler amongst others. Most frightening was the comparison between the two Atlas studies. This showed that almost a third of all species showed a decline of greater than 25% in reporting rates over the 20 year period between the two studies. Note that this group does not include most of the uncommon or rare species where the number of records was too small to make meaningful comparisons. Many other species showed evidence of lesser declines. If this trend continues we can predict that around half the bird species found in this area will become threatened, or worse still, locally extinct within our lifetimes.
If the final recommendations include all the major draft recommendations then this will be a major step forward in the quest to provide protection for these forests. At this stage it will be up to the Minister and the Victorian Government to see that these recommendations are implemented.
When the final recommendations are released please write or email to the relevant Victorian state politicians and indicate your support for those recommendations that will enhance the natural environment of the area and improve the survival chances of our native birds.Tell these politicians that the VEAC recommendations as detailed in the draft recommendations must be implemented.
Premier of Victoria: Hon.
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, MLA
Minister for Environment and Climate Change: Hon
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, MLC
Minister for Water, Minister for Tourism and Major Events: Hon
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, MLA
Leader of the Opposition: Hon.
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, MLA
Shadow minister for Environment and Climate Change: Hon
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MLC
Download the complete story on the VEAC River Red Gum Study
Port Phillip Bay Channel Deepening
Port Phillip Bay channel deepening , the changes in water levels, use of dredging spoil and loss of islands and nesting and roosting sites. For more information click here.
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo occurs in south-western Victoria and adjoining far south eastern South Australia. Clearing for agriculture has caused the loss of more than half of the cockatoos' feeding and nesting habitat, and removal of critical habitat continues. Find out more about the plight of the Red-tailed Black-Cockys.
 Other Useful Conservation Links
In addition we handle some local issues, eg damage by Long Billed Corellas in the west.
All the referrals made under the EPBC Act: Have a look to see what is going on in your area and if concerned, send your comments both to Environment Australia and to our Conservation committee if you think it is something they can help improve.
Part 7.1 of the regulations: The EPBC Act and in particular parts 18 and 18A (Listed threatened species and communities) and parts 20 and 20A (Listed migratory species) are important to highlight issues.
Link to Environment Defenders Office: The EDO is a group of environment lawyers who run cases through the courts and review legislation affecting the environment.
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