Timber plan a shocker for forests and parks

Tuesday, 13 January 2011

Media release

The Victorian National Parks Association and the Wilderness Society have highlighted serious flaws in the State Government's new timber industry action plan, saying it fails to protect native animals, plants and forests.

The VNPA is particularly concerned by proposals for logging in areas once considered off-limits.

"This is a grab for logging in parks and conservation areas and is totally unacceptable," said VNPA Executive Director Matt Ruchel.

"It turns back the conservation clock several decades and damages Victoria's reputation as a leader in conservation management."

The plan includes initiatives that:

• Lock in forestry contracts for 20 years and commit the government to costly compensation claims for any future changes.
• Support logging in parks and water catchments under the guise of 'ecological thinning'.
• Support burning native forests for energy.

Mr Ruchel said ecological thinning has become code for logging by stealth.

"Ecological thinning has no role in commercial forestry and should only be used in small scale, scientifically-informed conservation management programs."

Victorian Forest Campaigner for the Wilderness Society Luke Chamberlain labelled the plan a "shocker for forests", saying it locks in a failing industry for a further 20 years, and makes the public responsible for bailing it out.

He said the plan comes on the back of changes to the forest code of practice that largely removes protections for threatened species from logging activities.

The groups are calling on the Victorian Government to honour the National Parks Act and rule out commercial logging in parks, conservation reserves and water catchments.

For comment

Please contact Matt Ruchel, VNPA Executive Director, on 0418 357 813.