Event
summary
BAMOS
Dec 2018
Delivering the 2018 Victorian State of
the Environment Report
Peter Degorski
On your typical Sunday morning, 10,000 Victorians go running,
walking, swimming, driving, sailing, kite boarding or just sit
and admire the panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay’s beautiful
coast. Port Phillip Bay is a natural treasure which adorns
Victoria’s landscape. Similar to how Sydney-siders refer to “the
Harbour” we collectively refer to the “The Bay” for that big
body of water that unites many Victorians. The bay is not alone
among state treasures; Victoria has a glimmering assortment
of environmental gifts which your average Victorian frequents
from the wet Dandenong Ranges, to the flat dry western plains
to the wonders of the alpine country and wilderness beyond
that. These landmarks of our collective environment are part of
the stories of all of us. However, the ordinary Victorian may not
appreciate the legislation and governance arrangements that
are implemented to monitor and protect these spaces.
As part of the ongoing effort to understand and be informed
on what is occurring in the Earth System Sciences, the Victorian
chapter of AMOS supported by the Royal Society of Victoria
heard from Commissioner Gillian Sparkes as she explained and
outlined the role of her office. The office is a relatively new one
having come into existence by legislation enacted in 2003, with
the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Act 2003.
The Act outlines the responsibility of the office including its
objective, functions, powers and accountability.
Two objectives of the office that AMOS members may be most
interested in are to:
a. report on matters relating to the condition of the natural
environment of Victoria; and
b. enhance knowledge and understanding of issues
relating to ecologically sustainable development and the
environment.
The talk outlined the challenges facing the Victorian
environment and focussed on the ways that reporting on the
environment and governance arrangements could improve the
sustainability of Victoria. Improving the reporting process was
high on the priority list which is unsurprising given how central
it is to the functions of the commission.
A key “monitoring/lack of data” challenge involved biodiversity
on private lands. Victoria has programs such as the Land for
Wildlife Program (a State government program supporting
landholders or managers who provide habitat for native wildlife
on their land). Challenges around biodiversity monitoring in
general were outlined. Indeed after the presentation it was an
issue that repeatedly came up in the questions. It would seem
that inconsistencies in how reporting was undertaken resulted
in a situation where we are no longer able to compare like with
like.
For AMOS membership the most relevant insight we can share
involves the Commissioner’s thoughts on the challenges of
monitoring air quality. Fitting with a vision of moving towards
a more dynamically updated environmental monitoring
framework, the Commissioner signposted Victoria’s expanding
inventory of data relating to air quality as a data stream which
could be coupled to weather data streams. Some AMOS
members have experience on this type of work and would no
doubt be encouraged to make contact.
As a scientific body, AMOS members appreciate the value that
is inherent in collecting and analysing data. The role of the
Commissioner’s Office is to compile and report on the health
of our Victorian environment so that we can continue to enjoy
the benefits and “natural services” that our coasts, rivers, plains,
mountains and forests provide us.
The session was recorded and is now available online.
21