alpine grazingTom Arup from The Age newspaper is reporting that the Victorian government’s cattle grazing proposal has been referred for assessment by the Environment Department. It is good to hear that the poorly developed proposal hasn’t been approved and will require further investigation.

However, with the tendency of this government to approval destructive projects, the threat is not yet averted. The state government could use the additional time to actually inform people about the plan by providing more details on how the proposal has been framed. Without additional data, it seems like a deal for some mates rather than a well thought out scientific proposal to see if grazing can reduce fire risk.

Victoria’s alpine cattle grazing trial will face an assessment

Victoria’s cattle grazing trial in the Alpine National Park will face an assessment under the federal environment laws, scuppering any chance of cattle grazing the park this summer.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has deemed the project a ”controlled action”, meaning that first it will need an assessment by his department, and then his approval. The trial, which the state government says is necessary to see if grazing reduces bushfire risk, would see 60 head of cattle released into the Wonnangatta Valley for three summers.

A larger trial was blocked by the federal government in 2012 under national environment law for the threat grazing posed to the natural and heritage values of the region.

For background on the proposal, check here.