1. Conflicts of Interest about the use of natural environments
Conflicts of interest occur because of different values about the use of natural environments

2. Interest groups in conflict
An interest group:
is an organised group of people, including commercial, recreational and conservation users, with a shared opinion about a particular environmental issue

3. Interest groups are sometimes referred to as a pressure group
attempts to influence the making or implementing and administering of government decisions

4. Interest groups
DO NOT confuse interest groups with government agencies !!!
I.e. VNPA & MCAV
Vs DEPI, PARKS VIC etc

5. Methods
Are ways of influencing change over use of natural environments.
There is a diversity of methods used by interest groups
The purpose of methods:
To increase public awareness and community support of issues
To apply direct pressure to influence the decision making processes/decision makers

6. Effectiveness of methods
Interest groups may need to use a number of different methods
Some methods used by interest groups may be more successful than others
The success/effectiveness of particular methods may depend on:
the characteristics of the conflict and the interest groups involved
What decision making process is being applied to the particular conflict

7. Direct Action Direct action can include: Picketing/strikes
Protest rallies/demonstrations/marches
Blockades

8. Direct Action Boycotts/bans Stunts: eg. climbing towers with signs
Tree sitting/ chaining to machinery

9. Lobbying decision makers
Lobbying involves direct contact and meetings with decision makers or their representatives.

10. Lobbying…
Can be conducted directly by interest groups (eg. delegations) or
by employing professional lobbyists who have access to government ministers
Can involve phone calls, s or delegations to local councillors/State or Federal politicians/Gov’t Departments

11. Petitions and Letters/emails
Sent to decision makers, newspapers or politicians
Can include:
Petitions
Postcards
Pre-printed letters
Handwritten letters
Petitions sent to politicians must be tabled in Parliament
(you will be able to find a pre written letter on behalf of the VNPA in the investigation)

12. Using the Media Media releases by interest groups
Paid advertising : TV ,Radio, Newspaper
Websites
Interviews in newspapers, radio or TV
Talkback Radio

13. Using the Media Letters to the editor (local and national papers)
Phone-in polls
Having prominent people as spokespersons to gain attention
Stunts to gain media attention

14. Publicity campaigns Street stalls/stands Bumper stickers T-shirts
Banners
Distributing material
relating to issue:
Flyers
Letterbox drops

15. Education campaigns Pamphlets, brochures and leaflets
Websites, books and other publications
Newsletters, bulletins from specific interest groups

16. Other methods include Information evenings/public meetings
Forming partnerships with other groups
Use of prominent people
Gathering own evidence/presenting reports:
Scientific reports
Social reports

17. Processes

18. Processes
Processes are systematic actions used by decision makers to try to resolve conflicting interests over the use of natural environments.
When conflict is over crown land it is the responsibility of the organisation or authority in charge of the management of that land ( statutory authorities established by Federal or State gov’t)

19. Government agencies/bodies related to public land management
Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI)
Parks Victoria (Parks Vic)
Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC)

20. Department of Environment and Primary Industries
Victorian State Government agency for sustainable management of:
water resources,
climate,
bushfires,
public land, forests and ecosystems.
It advises the Government Ministers for:
Water
Environment and Climate Change

21. DEPI
DEPI aims to manage environments with balance and a variety of uses:
conserving flora and fauna,
protecting water catchments, protecting landscape and historical and cultural values
timber extraction & grazing,
recreational uses

22. Parks Victoria Manages:
national, wilderness, state and regional parks, marine national parks and sanctuaries
Melbourne’s metropolitan parks and open space network as well as the Lower Yarra, Maribyrnong and Patterson Rivers and Port Phillip and Western Port Bays.

23. Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC)
provides independent and strategic advice on matters relating to the protection and ecologically sustainable management of the environment and natural resources of Victoria’s public land.
investigates the use of public land on the request of the Minister.
consults with the community and is required to include community responses in its investigation reports.

24. VEAC
It DOES NOT make decisions about public land but presents recommendations to the Minister after its investigation.
Any investigation and recommendations must consider social impacts, resource use and the needs of the environment.

26. Review VEAC and Angahook-Otway recommendations
What role does the VEAC have in deciding how public land and environments should be used?
How does the VEAC consider how public land should be used?
What recommendations did the VEAC make for the Otways?

27. Processes
The ideal resolution to any conflict is a compromise between opposing groups, ensuring all groups feel they have been heard and all can work with the decisions made.
A range of processes
can be used to resolve
conflict
Some processes are
more effective than others:
if there is no compromise
= winners and losers

28. Types of processes Legislation (use of laws)
Litigation (use of court system)
Arbitration
Police Action
Formation of a consultative group
Community consultation
Setting up a management committee
Management plans
Zoning of areas

29. Types of processes Senate enquiries
Referendums
Direct negotiation
Community education
Environmental Impact Studies/Environmental Effects Statements
Nomination for World Heritage listing
International treaties (RAMSAR, World Heritage)
Senate enquiries
Executive decisions by controlling bodies (cabinet, local council)

30. Legislation Involves use of existing laws or creation of new laws
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act,
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
Marine National Parks legislation
Forest Exclusion zones
Legislation can be enacted by any level of gov’t (Federal, State or local)
Purpose of legislation is to allow an activity to happen or prevent/prohibit an activity from happening
eg. banning of cattle grazing in Alpine national park
A change of government may lead to
a change in laws (As above)

31. Effectiveness of Legislation
Advantage: Provides for a quick, clear decision
Disadvantage: often results in one interest group getting what they want while others may remain opposed to the law and fight against it
Creation of laws can lead to a win/lose resolution

32. Litigation
Involves groups using the court system when existing laws relating to conflict over use of a natural environment are unclear
Courts are used to stop the activity until clarification or interpretation of the law is achieved
Used when one law contradicts another (many laws relating to land ownership land use and environmental protection)
eg. High Court ruling on Mabo and Franklin River, Native Title cases

33. Effectiveness of Litigation
Results in a clear decision but the process can be long and prohibitively costly
Produces a win/lose situation
After a decision is made a gov’t can also change the law in order to overturn a decision = creates continuing uncertainty

34. Police action
Used when a clear decision is made in regard to a conflict, with the decision supported by laws. (eg. Franklin River trespass laws)
Although laws may support the decision, they may not be respected by some interest groups who may continue to undertake direct action (eg logging blockades).
Police are ordered in to take action to enforce laws

35. Police Action Pics

38. Effectiveness of Police Action
It ensures by-laws and legislation are upheld
Often expensive
Can create physical confrontation and can lead to individuals getting injured

39. Arbitration (appeal):
taking decisions to a third party to help resolve conflict

40. Management plans
Management plans are written and applied by statutory authority and regulations are supported by law (eg. National Park management plans required under National Parks Act)
Often include ZONING of areas to manage visitor activity and protect natural and cultural values.
Can be an effective process as it allows for the needs of a range of user groups
People not following regulations can be prosecuted

41. Setting up a consultative group
Group can include:
decision makers and representatives of all interest groups
may also include individuals who may have expert knowledge
Purpose is to gather accurate information/data and can lead to group providing recommendations about use of environment

42. Setting up a consultative group
Promotes possibility of compromise
Can lead to win/win situation
Can take long periods of time
May be expensive
May result in no agreement

43. Community consultation
call for and consider submissions from interest groups relating to use of an environment or development of management plans
produce draft recommendations and invite public comment again
produce final recommendations for decision makers (ECC,VEAC)

44. Environmental Effects studies
Studies can be carried out and reports compiled to determine the environmental effects of activities:
Environmental Impacts Studies
Environmental Effects Statements
(eg. Bay dredging, Otways Forest Logging, Alpine Park Grazing)

45. Community education
Producing materials to increase public awareness or knowledge/understanding of issues relating to land use or conflict
eg. Minimal Impact Code brochures

46. Use of international agreements
Nominate area for World Heritage listing
SW Tasmania (successful)
Wilson’s Promontory N.P (unsuccessful)
Alpine National Park
Use international obligations to protect area:
World Heritage regulations to protect area (eg.Franklin Dam, Jabiluka)
RAMSAR Agreement