School of Geography - Theses
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ItemModern Aboriginal land management: a Victorian perspective( 1999)The aim of this research was to find out what land management activities are being undertaken by Aboriginal communities in Victoria and what barriers these communities face in doing so. Six Victorian Aboriginal communities were contacted and representatives were interviewed about the land management activities undertaken by their communities. Those involved were Ballarat, Framlingham, Healesville, Mildura, Orbost and Swan Hill. Information gathered from these interviews revealed a number of patterns in Victorian Aboriginal land management. First, there is a wide range of land management activities undertaken across the State that have been little documented. In this thesis they are described under these headings: conservation and land management activities; cultural heritage management; environmental and cultural tourism and education; and native title. This research has shown that communities that have title to land or are near areas of national park are likely to be more involved in land management than those surrounded by private property. Secondly, it was found that many of the works undertaken also involve an element of cultural heritage management. Finally the research revealed that Aboriginal land management activities in Victoria are likely to involve modem techniques of land management rather than what might be thought of as 'traditional' methods. This thesis also identifies the barriers that communities face in becoming involved in land management. The main causes are financial, lack of access to land and the lack of employment opportunities in the area land management. Most of these barriers are the result of political decisions and institutional arrangements. This thesis has only scratched the surface of this large issue and should be seen as a starting point. It raises many more questions that need to be asked if Aboriginal communities in Victoria are to realise their goals of managing and caring for the land.
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ItemA study of the integration of science and park management in Victoria with reference to scientific mandates for national parks agencies in the United States and Canada( 1999)Managing for competing uses within national parks has become increasingly difficult. Recreation and preservation are two uses for which national park managers must provide, however, to provide for both presents a dilemma. Recreational uses often lead to degradation of a park's natural resources, and therefore, compromises the preservation of the park. How should managers make their decisions? This thesis proposes that managers should formulate their management strategies using a scientific framework of data gathering and monitoring in the decision-making process. Management decisions should be based upon what provides the least amount of degradation to the park's natural resources. True knowledge upon which managers can make their decisions comes from a (1) scientific understanding of the park's ecosystems and (2) the impacts upon those ecosystems. Science provides the necessary information that leads to better knowledge of the parks resources. However, science has not always been incorporated in the management process. This thesis details why science is important and the reasons it has not been thoroughly integrated into the park's management process. It critiques the present-day integration of science in Victorian national park management, as well as Parks Victoria's management strategies. The thesis also examines the history of science and its integration into national park management by Victorian, the United States and Canadian agencies and the current attitude toward the integration of science and national park management within the three agencies. Several key figures in national park management were interviewed, and from these interviews, a story detailing the state of science in national parks developed.