Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BURN REPORT DISPUTES MINISTER’S CLAIMS
A report to be released tomorrow shows claims by the Environment Minister, Gavin Jennings that only 12
habitat trees were destroyed in a prescribed burn in the Barmah forest are false.
The report, written by prominent forest ecologist Professor Peter Attiwill AM shows that 80 red gum trees
were destroyed by the 25 hectare burn and the report provides the GPS locations of those trees.
The report also highlights copious growth of noxious weeds at the burn site, which remain unmanaged,
further degrading conservation values.
In a letter to local parliamentarian Paul Weller, the minister refused to conduct an independent ecological
audit of the burn which occurred on October 16th 2008 saying he was satisfied the burn was conducted
appropriately, despite damage to a large number of trees in a known superb parrot nesting site.
The Rivers and Red Gum Environment Alliance had presented a 23 page report to the minister last
December damning the timing and conduct of the burn that produced such a poor outcome for the forest
environment.
“When the extent of the environmental damage became clear we asked for an independent assessment
to help improve future management practices” said Peter Newman, chairman of the Rivers and Red Gum
Environment Alliance.
“It was clear to us that near surface fuel should have been reduced via controlled cattle grazing prior to
the prescribed burn and that the burn should have been carried out in autumn. No habitat trees had been
destroyed at Browns Camp in 150 years of white settlement until this burn that saw 80 trees destroyed.
When the minister denied the extent of damage, saying only 12 trees had fallen, we challenged him to
come and count the dead trees and we offered $10,000 to charity if he proved our claims wrong, but he
declined. The offer is still open” concluded Mr Newman.
Legislation that will create a new national park encompassing the burn site is due to be debated in state
parliament next week.
Deputy Leader of the Nationals Peter Walsh and local member of parliament Paul Weller will release the
report at 10am Thursday 5th at Browns Camp in Barmah State Park.
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ENDS -
Media Contact: Max Rheese 0428 621320. info@rrgea.org
The Rivers & Red Gum Environment Alliance is a not-for-profit community and user group based
environment organisation having no political affiliation. A viable solution to the land and water
management challenges facing the red gum forests along the Murray River and its major tributaries is
paramount for the environment as well as the communities along the rivers. For more information about
November 4th 2009
NEWS 
