Logging has again been stopped in Tantawangalo State Forest following the discovery by SEFR of fresh evidence of illegal logging. A tree sit suspended 30m high is connected by steel cables to 3 machines halting the operation.
On Thursday South East Forest Rescue (SEFR) again audited a small area of compartment 2433 and discovered 3 more rock outcrop breaches. This follows from the discovery last week by SEFR of breaches committed by the Forestry Corporation and their authorised contractors.
“It is clear that the Forestry Corporation are totally incapable at identifying and protecting these areas,” said Mr Scott Daines, spokesperson for SEFR. “The only one having problems with the interpretation of the licence condition is the Forestry Corporation. The EPA and SEFR are on the same page when identifying these outcrops”
In talks with the EPA last week SEFR demanded that the EPA suspend the operation and the remaining area be protected as compensatory habitat for the damage already done. The EPA told SEFR that the logging had been suspended. However, SEFR since discovered logging was continuing.
“We are not allowed to take Forestry to court, so the only option left for us is to stop the operation ourselves,” said Mr Daines.
18 years ago, the rights of third parties like SEFR to take legal action against FCNSW for breaches of regulations was withdrawn and all enforcement action placed in-house with Government agencies.
The Forestry Corporation is shielded from legal action by section 69ZA of the Forestry Act 2012. This prevents citizens from launching legal proceedings against Forestry Corporation for a breach of any Act or any law, nor can people try to restrain the Forestry Corporation from future breaches. Only the government can initiate legal proceedings.
In 2011 the O’Farrell government cut and pasted s 40 from the Forestry and National Parks Estate Act 1998. This was against the advice of their Legislative Committee.
“This was meant to adequately protect the environment from destructive logging activities but this is clearly not working,” said Mr Daines. “That much of this logging is unlawful is confirmed by the Government itself.”
“The Minister for the Environment Mark Speakman, needs to step up to the crease and stand up to the Forestry Corporation and get them to leave Tantawangalo immediately before more environmental vandalism occurs,” said Mr Daines. “After countless years and countless proven breaches, enough is enough.”
Scott Daines
