The immediate end to old growth logging will protect some of Victoria’s most spectacular and intact native forests.
In response to the announcement that the Victorian Government will immediately end old growth logging and phase out all native forest logging over the next decade, Jess Abrahams, Nature Campaigner at the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and a former member of the Forest Industry Taskforce, said:
“Victorians love our native forests and wildlife, so this is a major announcement by the Andrews Government, albeit one that is long overdue.
“An immediate end to old growth logging will protect some of Victoria’s most spectacular and intact native forests.
“The protection of a further 96,000 hectares of habitat for the vulnerable Greater glider is very good news.
“The transition from logging native forests to plantations can’t come soon enough – ten years is just too slow for the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, which is on the brink of extinction.
“The transition, and any payouts, must be fully locked in and bedded down to prevent a future government trying to bring a zombie native forest logging industry back to life.
“Protecting forests is good for all Victorians, helping create clean air, fresh water, beautiful wildlife, sustainable jobs and a safe climate for future generations to enjoy.
“Some other states plan to keep logging their native forests like it’s the 18th century.
“Unsustainable logging persists in New South Wales and just last week the Queensland Government let the timber industry in to native forests north of Noosa which had been scheduled to become national park.
“Tasmania, where government efforts to unravel a historic peace deal have left ancient forests vulnerable to exploitation, should also set a timetable to end native forest logging.”
Greater glider pic by Matt Wright.