A WEEK after new Environment Minister Lisa Neville said the grazing trial in Wonnangatta Valley would be scrapped, the Mountain Cattlemen Association of Victoria (MCAV) has yet to be contacted by her or her office.
Last Wednesday, Ms Neville said on radio that Labor would act on its election policy and remove cattle from the area; cutting short the three-year trial that has been running for about a year.
MCAV president Charlie Lovick said it was insulting and disrespectful to learn of her decision on the radio, especially since MCAV members had met with Ms Neville before the election and had written to her on the day she was appointed, asking her to not make a hasty decision because the trial was carefully controlled and vastly different from normal rangeland grazing.
"We don't want to be treated second rate or as the enemy; we don't want to go to war with the government but we've been put in that position," Mr Lovick said.
"We feel we've been snubbed, and I feel a lot of country people will feel the same way.
"We are apolitical and are willing to work with whichever party is in government, but it hasn't got off to a good start."
He said the association had fought for scientific trial, so that facts instead of emotions would drive debates about cattle grazing.
Environment Minister Lisa Neville said she would sit down with the group, but there would be no change to Labor's plan as there was already evidence that cattle grazing damaged the alpine environment.
Mr Lovick urged her to consider that in just one year the valley trial site had vegetation that was "short, green and looks magnificent".
"With the trials not going ahead in a very short time it will revert to its previous condition as a weed and feral infested jungle and fire trap."
The MCAV, the Gunaikurnai Aboriginal Corporation and the State Government previously signed an agreement to work on joint management plans for Wonnangatta, he said.
"This is a huge opportunity lost for two experienced groups with intergenerational knowledge working together for the betterment of the land."
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Member for East Gippsland Tim Bull leapt to the defence of the trial, calling on the new Victorian Government to allow the completion of the trial and await the results, rather than rushing to shut it down for political reasons.
Mr Bull criticised the new Labor Government of pandering to the Greens and city voters.
Ms McKenzie said the trial was limited to 262-hectares on the former Wonnangatta Cattle Station and was subject to strict conditions following a strenuous approval process and public consultation.
Since going to print, Ms Neville's office did reply to Stock & Land's request for further comment and said:
"Labor will, once again, ban cattle grazing in the Alpine and Red Gum National Park.
"The previous Coalition Government wasted money on court challenges and trial after trial when the science is clear - grazing in the high country is detrimental to the environment and it has no value in reduce fuel loads or bushfire risk.
"Mr Bull should understand that, having been a minister in the previous government, which were given a report on this year's trial but cabinet refused to release it."
