This audit examined whether Victoria’s native forest timber resources on public land are being managed productively and sustainably. The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI), VicForests and the Department of Treasury and Finance are managing the timber resources in a productive way that delivers socio-economic benefits to regional communities. VicForests has demonstrated that its …
Ministers will no longer be forced to consider formal conservation advice for endangered species in projects approved before the end of this year, under changes to the national environment law agreed on by the Coalition and Labor. The pact between the two major parties effectively eliminates implications of a landmark case earlier this year in …
The Victorian government plans to introduce far reaching changes to Victoria’s native vegetation laws this month. If you’re wondering why the government is referring to changes to Victoria’s native vegetation protection laws as “permitted clearing regulations” then this map will set you straight. White = vegetation already lost. Blue = “low risk”. Most low risk …
The petrolhead haven of Calder Park is normally dominated by drag racing and hot rods. But if state government mapping is to be believed, then the race track’s infield is also the unlikely home for rare native plants. Over in Greensborough, the Yandell Reserve supports orchids known as Silurian striped greenhoods and is a breeding …
As eight ”nannas” face the clogged court system for knitting in a logging coupe, the price of protest in Victoria is set to escalate. Fourteen months ago, six grandmothers and two grandfathers entered a logging coupe at Mount St Leonard, placed their chairs in a neat row, and quietly sat down to knit. The group …
In November Premier Napthine brought in new changes to existing laws that deal with protesters in forests and on our wetlands. These were couched in terms of ‘public safety’ rather than environmental atrocities protection. The changes include: ‘possessing prohibited objects or substances’ at a logging site – maximum penalty $2,877 (knitting needles or placards maybe?). …
Victoria should overhaul its energy supply and change its approach to planned burns as part of efforts to stop worrying declines in the state’s environmental health. A major stocktake of Victoria’s environment prepared for the state government – the first of its kind in five years – has detailed significant worsening trends in critical areas. …
The mountain cattlemen are launching yet another attempt to get cattle back into the Alpine National Park. The decision by the previous Federal Government to ban alpine grazing was a victory for common sense and good science. There is more than 60 years of science that shows cattle damage alpine wetlands and peatbeds, and threaten …
Ecologist says Australia has a ‘dreadful’ track record in planning, monitoring and responding to threats to endangered species Australia is failing to protect its endangered species due a “dreadful” track record in planning, monitoring and responding to threats, a group of leading conservationists has warned. A paper published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and …
