Preceden

Alpine Cattle Grazing

Events

ACT high country stop cattle grazing

1900

People discovered that cow dung was contaminating rivers and threatening drinking water supplies. Cattle grazing was stopped in the high country of ACT in the hope of protecting the water catchments.

Mount Buffalo stop cattle grazing

1923

Soil issues at the Snowy River

1938

The Upper Snowy River was declared an erosion hazard by the NSW Government

Land management practices were introduced

1940

In Victoria, controlled burning was banned and grazing of sheep and horses stopped. Leases were given out for grazing cattle but stock numbers were restricted.

Parts of Kosciuszko State Park stop cattle grazing

1944

To protect water catchment in the Snowy Mountains, grazing was stopped in the highest parts of Kosciuszko National Park (back then Kosciuszko State Park).

Mount Buffalo stop cattle grazing

1956

For over 10 years, people argued that cattle faeces were having damaging effect on the soil and were destroying many native plants. There were also complaints that the cattle were ruining the drinking water. The Committee of Management was persuaded to stop cattle grazing in Mount Buffalo.

Some parts of Alpine National Park stop cattle grazing

1956

The highest summits of the Alpine National Park banned cattle grazing to protect the water catchment and preserve the alpine vegetation. These summits included Mount Hotham, Mount Feathertop, Mount Loch and Mount Bogong

NSW Government begin long-term re-establishing program

1958

Grazing is banned from the high country above 1,370 metres. The Soil Conservation Service re-established vegetation cover for native species.

Grazing stopped in remaining snow leases of NSW

1961

Kosciuszko State Park became a national park

1967

Kosciuszko National Park stop cattle grazing

1969 - 1973

Cattle grazing was completely banned in 1969 and the remaining leases ended three years later.

Namadgi National Park stops cattle grazing

1970

Stock removed from Falls Creek resort

1981

Snowy River, Howitt Plains and Wonnangatta Valley stop cattle grazing

1988

Recommendations by the Land Conservation Council and the government purchase of the Wonnangatta Station caused the areas of the Snowy River, Howitt Plains and Wonnangatta Valley to make cattle grazing withdrawals.

Legislation passed for Alpine National Park cattle grazing

1989

Parliament passed legislation to allow cattle grazing to continue in the Alpine National Park, with the exception of the particularly high and sensitive areas. 7 year licences were given, with restrictions to the number of stock, vehicles and firearms.

Bogong High Plains, The Bluff, Wabonga Plateau and Davis Plain stop cattle grazing

1991

Alpine National Park stop cattle grazing

2005

Alpine National Park fire risk project

2010

A project to reduce fire risk meant that cattle were returned to the Alpine National Park. This included up to 400 cattle in 6 different study research sites.

Federal Government remove cattle from the Alpine National Park

2011

The Victorian Government needed the Federal Government's approval to continue the project - which they didn't get.