SEFR CONDEMNS THE LATEST IN AN ONGOING STRING OF ILLEGAL LOGGING OF SE FORESTS

This morning conservationists have halted logging in Glenbog State Forest Compartment 2332. Three logging machines are cabled to a tree sit 25 metres above the ground.

The Forestry Corporation NSW, South East Fibre Exports (the Eden woodchip mill) and their authorised logging contractors logging practices are being investigated, after the discovery of a spate of breaches including the logging of rock outcrops, debris around habitat trees, no marking up or poor selection of habitat trees, and destroying the habitat of threatened and endangered native animals.

The damage, at Glenbog State Forest at the top of the Brown Mountain, was uncovered by an environment group, South East Forest Rescue.

Glenbog State Forest provides a home for many threatened and endangered animals and plants such as Owls, Yellow-bellied Gliders and Montane Peatland, which is an endangered ecological community, and other animal such as wombats. The small logging road is a buffer between the logging compartment and the South East Forest National Park.

“Audits have exposed illegal logging of endangered ecological communities, old-growth and rock outcrops,” said Mr Daines, spokesperson for South East Forest Rescue. “We have proven systemic re-occurring breaches on the south coast that show a pattern of non-compliance.”

The Environment Protection Authority has handed out penalty notices to the Forestry Corporation for breaking these logging rules, yet despite this SEFR today confirmed that the illegal logging of native forests continues.

“The propping up by the State Government of this unlawful industry just makes no sense given that the Forestry Corporation’s native forest logging has proven to be unsustainable,” said Mr Daines.

“The penalties the EPA have handed out are just not working. It is clear that the woodchip and logging companies are treating the law with contempt. Given what we know about the link between loss of biodiversity, land degradation, deforestation and climate change, to merely give a warning letter or a fine is outrageous,” said Mr Daines.

The group is calling on the State government to end native forest logging on public land and begin the process for fair exit packages for forest workers.

State authorities have been called in. Police are on ground.
Lisa Stone