Neville Smith Timber Industry or NSTI, is a name we should all take note of. It’s based in Heyfield, Central Gippsland and is painting itself as ‘forest friendly’. NSTI are involved in: Ads depicting beautiful forests, furniture and musical instruments, implying native forests don’t suffer a broken twig in their making. Investment in …
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 …
The opportunistic logging of a 70 km slice of the Snowy River National Park in late February outraged more than just environment groups. The normally compliant Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is so disgusted by this shameless act of vandalism, it is carrying out an investigation. The plan was to brush up an almost …
The threat of a major charcoal burning industry in East Gippsland has finally died. The company, Australian Silicone, made an announcement on 10th March to the Stock Exchange that it would be withdrawing from feasibility studies and plans to establish a silicone and associated charcoal plant in Australia. It couldn’t find a friendly region anywhere …
Widespread salvage logging for 30 years after the 1939 fires had huge ecological impacts. It favoured cutting fire damaged (but living) larger diameter trees. After a fire, generally there will be a return of a healthy multi-staged forest required to provide maximum habitat. Bushfires usually leave a high level of this structural complexity in the …
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 …
