End of native forest logging

menu_book picture_as_pdf book Victorian NPA Environment Australia Victoria

BWA_August_2023-50

Greater gliderJustin Cally

End of Native Forest Logging

Text and photosVictorian National Park Association

We are elated! On 23 May the state government announced their plan to speed up the transition out of native forest logging.

Native forest logging will end in Victoria on 1 January next year.

In about seven months you're going to be living in a state that protects native wildlife habitat instead of smashing it up for pulp, paper, pallets and firewood. This is a game-changer for nature. This is also a testament to the hard work, resilience and determination of the Victorian nature-loving community. A massive thank you to everyone who emailed or called their elected representatives. To those who donated to our important work.

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At last we get the result that is needed for our forests in Victoria. I have been waiting 30 years for this to happen since the Land Conservation Council's final recommendations that created the Yarra Ranges National Park. VNPA led the way then and continues to do so. Congratulations to all those who have worked so hard for so long – both in the VNPA and all the other organisations that have worked together.

Anne Casey, VNPA President 1996-98

Wow!! Just shed a tear and have taken my 'Protect Nature Now End Native Forest Logging' off my front fence. Congratulations to us all for so many years of activism and a bottom of the heart thank you to all legends at VNPA.

Russell

Too often public and private agendas sidestep, or outright ignore, sufficient upfront environmental governance. Government or industry develops an idea from pitch to project. It's then approved without sufficient environmental governance and progresses despite the threats posed. Then a nature conservation community group learns of the project and exposes the environmental threats and/or legal or regulatory non-compliance. Public-debate, citizen science and legal proceedings lead to project delays and cost overruns. It is a counter-productive cycle set to repeat mode.

There are few winners in a process this broken. Potentially valuable programs are delayed, public funds are wasted and volunteers, not-for-profits and local groups devote precious time and resources to make sure any negative impacts on nature and community are considered and managed appropriately. Many of our campaigns address this fundamental issue.

David Nugent, VNPA President

T o those who spread the word, joined citizen science expeditions, who again and again took action for our special places, creatures and habitats.

We've talked a lot about the trouble with VicForests. From breaking the laws that govern them, to taxpayer funded financial losses, to repeated failures to protect endangered wildlife like the iconic Greater Glider. Now it's time to talk about restoring and recovering what we've lost.

As part of the transition, the government will deliver a program to manage the 1.8 million hectares of public land currently available to log. Importantly, forestry workers will be supported through the transition. Forests will be assessed for protection in new national parks and for activities like camping, hiking and four-wheel driving. This will include opportunities for Traditional Owner management.

We'll be keeping a close eye on what is planned for forest works. Our key concern is the work forest fire agencies are doing is often indistinguishable from intensive logging practices.

This announcement is a powerful reminder that the state-sanctioned destruction of nature isn't inevitable. It's the consequence of poor decisions by the people we've elected and entrusted to look after nature. Better decisions can be made, if we demand them. And that's exactly what our community did, for years on end.

It has finally paid off.

Comments about the win

I know the devil will always be in the detail but an accelerated end to native forest logging in Victoria is great news. And would not have happened without people's courage and work. Thanks so much for your efforts over time to protect the bark cathedrals, the critters, the water and more. I hope you can take a moment and a breath and know you've made a difference.

Dave Sweeney, ACF

This article first appeared in the June 2023 edition of Park Watch, the magazine of the Victorian National Parks Association.

Corduroy RoadPengo

A while ago I cancelled my membership – what was I thinking? Please reinstate my membership and monthly donation of $20. Great news regarding the end of native forest logging in Victoria.

Darren

Matt, you are an inspiration and seriously one of my top 5 heroes in business and in life. It is natural to be anxious about how the parks will be managed from here. But take the time to soak in this today. You did this. VNPA, Bob Brown and the EDO are my go-to agencies for environmental issues and thought leadership in this field.

Blair

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