Advocacy

Friends of Mallacoota Submission to the Great Outdoors Taskforce: Key Points

Friends of Mallacoota has submitted a response to the Great Outdoors Taskforce. Our key recommendations are as follows:

1. Conservation as an Economic Asset
   We emphasise the intrinsic value of East Gippsland’s forests, highlighting their role in biodiversity, carbon storage, and water conservation. We advocate for:
   • Carbon density assessments for climate change mitigation.
   • Protection of the Betka River Catchment, especially post-2020 fires.
   • Increased focus on passive recreation, like bushwalking and birdwatching.
2. Forest Protection
   We call for:
   • Legal protections against industrial logging and mining.
   • Increased conservation funding for restoration and management of damaged ecosystems.
   • Restrictions on damaging activities like off-roading and hunting.
3. Funding & Support for Conservation
   We urge a boost in funding, staff training, and public education for conservation efforts. We also recommend creating a dedicated Ministry for the Environment, separate from tourism.
4. World Heritage Listing
   We support the combined assessment of East Gippsland’s parks for World Heritage status, which would bring significant environmental and economic benefits.
5. First Nations Consultation
   We strongly advocate for the involvement of Aboriginal groups in the management and consultation processes for local environmental stewardship.

Our submission calls for a balance between conservation, sustainable tourism, and stronger protections to ensure the long-term health of East Gippsland’s natural environments.

Read the full submission here:

https://friendsofmallacoota.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Friends-of-Mallacoota-submission-final.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tH3EAPn8DBMc073H8fw7KSVZ4BB2CE_I/view?usp=sharing