mmg.com.au

Barmah cattlemen are asking for a grazing trial to be run at a state forest near Barmah National Park to reduce the fire risk.

Barmah Cattlemen’s Association met last week and has sent a letter to Member for Rodney Paul Weller to seek permission for the trial on Barmah Island.

Cattle were barred from most of the Barmah forest when it became a national park in 2010.

The National Party had promised to reintroduce grazing, but when the Coalition formed government, the promise was not fulfilled.

The association’s president Brad Caldwell said the 1200ha Barmah Island could be a good place for a trial as it was within a contained area and was state forest, not a national park.

‘‘It could be six or 12 months. We would leave that to the scientists to determine,’’ he said.

Mr Caldwell said the fuel load was daunting for Barmah users and for neighbouring properties.

He said the fuel load in the Barmah forests was high.

‘‘I wouldn’t like to be a camper on the banks of the Murray, with one access track in, if a fire got started,’’ he said.

Mr Caldwell hopes the cattlemen’s request would be treated seriously.

‘‘We have a good working relationship with our local members,’’ he said.

‘‘We think the cattle would make an impact on the fuel load.’’

He said he was disappointed there was no Barmah management board in place yet.