Workers take exit and re-enter packages Many workers who have chosen to pack up and leave the logging industry have taken up to $90,000 off the government under the exit packages offered. However, with this cash in hand many have also walked out the door, turned around and walked straight back in to get back …
GREENIES DON’T FIGHT FIRES Contrary to the constant blathering of “greenies don’t fight fires”, myself and many other conservationists were also out there getting soot stained and coming home exhausted from the front line. In fact at the Tubbut fire, of the 12 crew in three trucks one night, at least five of us were …
The Regional Forest Agreement promised the MAXIMUM amount of logs that could be taken from public forest, while providing the MINIMUM area to meet conservation criteria. No allowance was made for fire. There was no margin of error for events outside the control of governments. If fires destroy even part of the reserve system or …
It wasn’t so much the record dry and drought, the changed flammable nature of the forests or the high temperatures and strong winds that caused the huge fires, it was the Greenies! The blame game has been eagerly played by many who profit from exploiting the land – high country graziers and loggers in particular. …
About 90% has already been logged over the past 25 years, but before the November 2002 State election, Bracks promised no more woodchipping the Wombat – never ever. Some logging will continue – around 8,500 m3 a year. Congratulations to all who helped get the chippers out. BUT – the Minister was unwilling to say …
WHAT COST GOOLENGOOK? CROEG obtained documents under Freedom of Information (FOI), which shows tax payers helped fund the 5th March 2002 Goolengook raid and logging operation to the tune of over $1.5 million. Royalties gained from logs were estimated to be between $70 – 110,000. Police costs included: Staff overtime $143,054 Travel costs while in …
Reopening the 63 km rail line from Sale to Bairnsdale for passengers has been a political promise for years – and it’s finally happening. But the down side is that 44,000 Redgum sleepers are to be used for the upgrade. The patronage on the current bus service is very low so the passenger line might …
The huge Daishowa export woodchip mill at Eden in NSW seems to have had some trouble with plastic and other contaminants getting into their chip pile last year. They of course blame conservationists but it could be the workers lunch wrappers for all we know. When the contaminated chips get to Japan, they can cause …
State and commonwealth ministers were lured in to launch a new “Australian Forestry Standard” (AFS) rubber stamp last October. The stamp certifies plundered native forest products. The tick of approval tries to reassure buyers that their timber is environmentally ticketty – boo. No logging operation anywhere will have to change its plunderous ways to get …
Investigations by Lawyers For Forests (LFF), have shown that the Code of Forest Practices is vague, unenforceable and needs reform. Recently the Bracks government put the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in charge of overseeing auditing of the Code, instead of government foresters. This is still a worry. For example, the EPA needs funding and powers …
