Victoria’s Conservation Regulator is assessing a number of allegations of non-compliance with timber harvesting laws in the Wombat State Forest.
A Conservation Regulator spokesperson said the action was prompted by the department’s proactive coupe inspection program and reports from the community.
“It is our standard practice, proportionate and within our powers, to gather information while assessing allegations of non-compliance, including in relation to contracting arrangements and associated harvesting and haulage activities,” the spokesperson said.
The action comes as local forest activists report that a third salvage logging site has commenced in the forest along Osborne Road at Bullarto.
“A large area has been cleared and graveled for heavy machinery and logs,” Wombat Forestcare’s Gayle Osborne said.
“This site is also within the proposed Wombat-Lerderderg National Park and within a Special Management Zone designated for the protection of powerful owls.
“We are now in the breeding season for powerful owls (May 1 to November 30) and very shortly the female will lay her eggs in a large hollow.
“The noise and activities from the machinery could easily disturb their breeding.”
Ms Osborne said it was inconceivable that these salvage operations were permitted with the soil sodden from the heavy autumn and winter rains.
“The Code of Practice for Timber Production provides little protection for environmental values,” she said.
“Habitat trees that survived the storm have been damaged by machinery at Babbington Hill, but there is nothing in the code to say that this should not occur.
“This is all on top of a number of coupes near Spring Hill, also in the proposed National Park, that are designated as commercial firewood coupes.
“These coupes contain large numbers of greater gliders, a species threatened with extinction. Their habitat urgently needs to be safeguarded.”
Ms Osborne questioned the government allowing damage to a landscape that they consider worthy of being a National Park.
“VicForests should not be allowed to rampage through the Wombat Forest, grabbing logs where they choose and leaving a trail of destruction,” she said.
“Wombat Forestcare calls on the Andrews government to call an immediate halt to this salvage operation and legislate the proposed Wombat-Lerderderg National Park.”
GLIDERS AT RISK
New research has uncovered a population hotspot of the greater glider in Wombat Forest, a discovery that could trigger Victoria’s protection act and restrict VicForests’ proposed logging of the area.
The population survey, conducted over three nights in January by citizen scientists supported by the Victorian National Parks Association, recorded an unexpected 40 greater gliders, four koalas and even a powerful owl, Australia’s largest owl species.
“We were expecting to spot a few greater gliders but to see such a dense population, especially this far west and after a third of their habitat was destroyed in the 2019/20 bushfires in eastern Victoria was really thrilling,” said Matt Ruchel, VNPA executive director.
“The discovery of a greater glider population hotspot demands that all logging in the area must immediately stop and further investigation be urgently undertaken.”
The discovery comes amid growing frustration with the government, which despite designating the Wombat Forest as a national park 12 months ago has expanded forestry and salvage logging in the area.
