To: Mr Peter Walsh MLA
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security
Re: Native Forest Harvesting
(Your Letter)
Dear Mr Walsh
Thankyou for your responses to my email.
However, your letter has raised a number of questions some of which I have included below. Could you please supply me with answers where possible, or point me in the direction where I might be able to find the information so I may be better informed.
You mentioned that I was incorrect regarding harvesting in Special Protection Zones. I am aware that the Threatened Species Verification Report conducted by the DSE on July 18th 2011 in the Gunbarrel and Froddo reserves and submitted on July 29th 2011 recommended Vicforests carry out further surveys. So, it seems the correct delineation of the SPZ is a matter still being debated.
Has Vicforests undertaken additional surveys as a result of these recommendations? What survey methods were used, who evaluated the survey results and are the results publicly available. If so where?
Are you aware of an Action Statement or Forest Management Plan for the Leadbeater’s Possum?
You may not be aware that there are an estimated 1000 individual Leadbeater’s Possums left on the planet, placing it amongst the 50 most endangered mammals on earth, and yet DSE has no Species-specific Standards for monitoring this nocturnal creature as it has for other some species.
Why has DSE not published Species-specific survey standards for Leadbeater’s possum as it has for other species? Are the existing Survey-standards followed when Vicforests undertakes surveys for other species prior to logging? Are the survey results publicly available and if so where. And if not why not?
Does the current State Government stand by the stated aims of the Department of Sustainability and the Environment Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement –
“To guarantee that Leadbeater's Possum can survive, flourish and retain their potential for evolutionary development in the wild. In quantitative terms this may be described as to ensure the survival of Leadbeater's Possum by managing its forest habitat towards a target of no more than a 1% probability of extinction over 250 years?”
You may be aware that David Lindenmayer, has recently said that Leadbeater's possum will probably only last for another 30 to 40 years.
You have also stated that no timber harvesting is permitted within the reserve system designed to protect Leadbeater’s possum habitat. However, according to the United Nations Redlist for Endangered Species, approximately 31% of its Ash forest habitat is protected, while about 69% is allocated for timber production. Who is responsible for determining the extent of this reserve system and under what criteria?
You have acknowledged that “forestry and native timber harvesting has endured a “history of … debate” and has “tended to divide communities.” And you have also noted that there are 6.6million hectares of public native forest 3million of which are in protected reserves.
Why, when there is, by your figures, an alternative 99.92% of native forest annually available for logging, have you chosen to allow Vicforests into areas of the Central Highlands and East Gippsland which are amongst the most sensitive to disruption, most fought over, most fire ravaged and most important to our endangered species, especially the Leadbeaters Possum and the Long Footed Potoroo, the Powerful Owl, the Spot Tailed Quoll to mention just a few that rate amongst the most endangered species on the planet.
Have you read any of the peer reviewed papers or published books by our world recognised forest experts David Lindenmayer or Judith Adjani, both lecturers at ANU, regarding fire in Victoria’s forests, the sustainable management of Ash Forests and the sustainability of the forestry industry and its future in plantations? If not then who are the people and organisations you turn to for expert opinion in determining forestry policy and who reports to you on research and development in the debate on forestry operations in the Central Highlands and East Gippsland?
Do you have any update on Vicforests’ attempts to regenerate of logging coupes? You will be aware if the most recent DSE report on Monitoring Annual Harvest Performance findings that over 7000 hectares of harvested forest required additional treatment to achieve satisfactory regeneration and a further 19000 hectares were overdue for regeneration surveys. It would seem this is an area where more personnel are necessary.
In your letter you state that 11,000 people are employed in the timber and wood products industry yet the DSE reports that only 9% of these are employed in forestry and logging, and with currently 14% of forest products coming from native forests it would seem that our endangered species and our environmental heritage is being sacrificed for fewer than 150 jobs. The forestry industry itself refers to a declining numbers wanting to enter the industry. Why has no thought been given to employment in the eco-tourism industry? Tourism in Victoria is at risk from forestry activities despite considered to be one of the fastest growing employment industries for the past 25 or more years. (I have experienced unemployment myself and I understand how challenging it can be to retrain and start a new career late in life, but it can be done.)
And finally, given all the evidence publically available and the persistent breaches of conditions, is there a reason why Victorian Governments, both past and present, continue to support the activities of Vicforests so passionately?
Yours Sincerely
