Bundarrah Days

Not content with allowing the high country to burn its way to destruction Parks Victoria is now trying to set rural communities ablaze by promoting discord and dissension and conducting activities that could lead to serious confrontations, Push For The Bush Organiser, Bob Richardson, said today.

Mr Richardson said the news that parks authorities had recruited a local man in the Benambra district to muster cattle whose desperate owners have allowed them to roam in the bush was a disgrace.

"Paddocks are bare, stock are dying and grass in the bush is abundant," Mr Richardson said.

"The temptation to save their stock has led to some people allowing their cattle to roam and instead of accepting the extentuating circumstances of a terrible drought Parks Victoria has sought to divide and conquer by trying to entice local people to betray their communities.

"To put it in plain terms this is not on. The drought is difficult enough without further stressing communities by creating the conditions for confrontation and discord."

"We were aware earlier in the summer that parks representatives had been haunting cattle sales trying to hire people to remove cattle from the Alpine National Park. Initially those who were hired believed they would be mustering stolen cattle. When they discovered the real agenda they refused to participate."

Mr Richardson said he believed that in the recent incident near Benambra 17 cattle had been mustered and impounded.

"The parks people know what they're risking which is why they requested police attendance for their operation near Benambra. People and communities are stressed and this sort of action can often be the last straw."

Mountain Cattleman Philip Maguire who returned his cattle to the Bogong High Plains in January said Parks Victoria had not targeted his cattle.

"We've been working with parks representatives who were well aware of the legal dispute over my right to graze this summer," he said.

"We've had a successful grazing season and managed to avoid any serious problems."

But Mr Maguire said he was appalled by the decision to recruit contract musterers from within local communities.

"They must realise the potential that has to cause some pretty serious social conflict," he said.

"If managing a national park has to disrupt the life of country communities it's time to ask whether the park is worth it's cost in social terms. A peaceful and cooperative community is vastly more important than the issue of a few cows running in the bush."

Mr Maguire said that Environment Minister John Thwaites was a social and environmental vandal who didn't deserve to be a Member Of Parliament.

"He was incompetent from the start, now he's irresponsible and negligent. He should stick to Albert Park where he's appreciated and stay out of the bush where he's not,' Mr Maguire said.