Stop the destruction of Greater Glider habitat trees

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Dear Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and State Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos
 
Re: Native forest logging on private land – a huge burden on endangered wildlife and local government

I applaud the Victorian Government’s decision to end native forest logging on public land. This was a long overdue necessity, and a genuine action to celebrate.

I'm now extremely concerned that another threat has emerged – this time in the form of native forest logging on private land.

Already in 2024, the Victorian National Parks Association identified five private properties where native forest logging has started (or is planned to). 
Victoria is already the most cleared state in Australia.  Over 2000 threatened plants and animals are listed on the state's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

With so many of these forest-dependent and near extinction, any further destruction and fragmentation of critical habitat is of great concern.
 
Private land logging operations have negative impacts on threatened wildlife and communities. They appear to occur without proper wildlife protections, public transparency, effective regulation or oversight by local and state governments. 
 
I note that oversight and regulation from the Federal Government will be required when the Regional Forestry Agreements (RFAs) are terminated at the end of this year. Such logging would no longer have an exemption under the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. The potential for significant impacts to threatened wildlife would need to be assessed & mitigated under the EPBC Act from the end of this year.

I respectfully request your government phase-out/ban native forest logging on private land in line with your commitment to end logging on public land. 
 
Until that time, there is an urgent need for all levels of government to apply interim or immediate regulatory measures to native logging on private land:
 
• Enhanced application and enforcement of the conservation of biodiversity provision of code of practice for timber production.
 
• Compliance with obligations under the FFG Act. This includes proper consideration of Action Statements for forest-dependent threatened species and communities, and the objectives of the Act, consistent with your duties in section 4B of the Act.
 
• Full implementation of Commonwealth Recovery Plans for forest-dependent threatened species. Using the Leadbeater’s Possum as an example, this would require no destruction or modification of current and prospective suitable (critical) habitat, as well as the protection and buffering of large and hollow-bearing trees.

• Enhanced public consultation and transparency of native forest logging proposals, agreements, negotiated outcomes and subsequent documentation between landowners and Local and State government. 
 
I eagerly await your prompt and decisive action to end the exploitation of significant logging loopholes across the state.
 
Sincerely,

Native wildlife across Victoria are struggling to find homes. Especially old trees with hollows for nesting. It’s one of the reasons native forest logging needed to end.

Trouble is, habitat destruction in native forests continue. But this time, it’s on private property. And who suffers? Native critters and the web of life. Critically Endangered Leadbeater’s Possums, Vulnerable Yellow-bellied Gliders and Endangered Long-footed Potoroos.

Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen damaging operations scar the landscapes of privately-owned forest blocks. Our leaders must stop wildlife habitat being plundered for commercial profit.

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