This blog is open to any who wish to comment on Australian society, the state of the environment or political shenanigans at Federal, State and Local Government level.
Oakes https://t.co/iNbKWUodtJ via @YouTube#NSWForestry may log this. The folly, reminds me of Prospero's speech in The Tempest: The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces...shall dissolve..We are such stuff as dreams are made on and our little life Is rounded with a sleep
Nature
Conservation Council (NSW),
media
release,
30 June 2022:
75
hectares of habitat lost each day in NSW
Latest
land clearing data shows 75 hectares of wildlife habitat is bulldozed
or logged every day in NSW, almost twice the average annual rate
recorded before the Coalition overhauled nature laws in 2016. [1]
The
annual Statewide Land and Tree Study (SLATS) data shows 27,610
hectares of native forest were destroyed for farming, forestry and
development in 2020.
“This
astounding rate of deforestation is a disaster for wildlife and the
climate. We call on the government to take urgent action to reverse
the trend,” Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris
Gambian said.
“In
just one year we have lost an area of native forest nearly double the
size of Royal National Park. It is simply unsustainable.
“Using
widely accepted data on wildlife population densities, clearing on
that scale would have killed up to 4.6 million animals - mammals,
birds and reptiles – in just 12 months. [2]
“Native
forests in NSW can absorb up to 44 tonnes/hectare of C02 annually
[3].
“Protected
from logging, NSW public native forests could store an additional 900
million tonnes of CO2 - equivalent to six years of NSW emissions.
“These
forests are a critical carbon sink that we need to protect to pursue
meaningful action on climate change.
“After
the government weakened land clearing laws in 2016, deforestation
rates doubled and have remained at these dangerously high levels ever
since.
“The
Coalition promised it’s new laws would enhance protections for
bushland and wildlife.
“These
figures, and the rising number of threatened species, shows the laws
completely fail to deliver on that promise.
“More
than 1,040 plants and animals are now threatened with extinction in
NSW, about 40 more than when the scheme was introduced.
“The
government must stop uncontrolled deforestation on private land and
in state forests if it is going to tackle the extinction crisis.”
The
SLATS data show a 43% increase in the amount of vegetation cover lost
in production forests, presumably due to the 2019-20 Black Summer
Bushfires.
“Native
forests in NSW can absorb up to 44 tonnes/hectare of C02 annually,”
Mr Gambian said.
“Protected
from logging, NSW public native forests could store an additional 900
million tonnes of CO2 - equivalent to six years of NSW emissions.
“These
forests are a critical carbon sink that we need to protect to pursue
meaningful action on climate change."
[3]
Green Carbon report, The Wilderness Society, 2008 (figure of 44
tonnes/hectare of CO2 arrived at by multiplying the figure of 12
tonnes of Carbon a year by 3.67)
The
NSW Agriculture Minister has signalled the government has no plans to
phase out logging of native hardwood in state forests.
Key
points:
All
North Coast Wood Supply Agreements have been extended until 2028
The
Agriculture Minister says selective harvesting of native forests is
a renewable industry and does not plan to phase out the practice
Critics
say the contracts are 'reckless' and unsustainable post-bushfires
and further threaten the habitats of endangered animals
The
state government announced a five-year extension of North Coast
Wood Supply Agreements last week.
Minister
Dugald Saunders said all agreements due to end next year had been
renewed in order to provide "certainty" for the industry to
"invest in their businesses".
The
agreements cover the area spanning from the Mid North Coast to the
Queensland border, and include state forests in Dorrigo, Wauchope,
Kempsey, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Wingham, Gloucester, Glenn
Innes and Casino.
Mr
Saunders confirmed the main terms were unchanged, meaning Forestry
Corporation would continue to supply existing quantities and species
to timber companies in exchange for payment…..
North East Forest Alliance, media release, 9 April 2022:
The NSW Government’s Koala Strategy released today will do little to turn around their extinction trajectory as it is not stopping logging and clearing of Koala habitat which, along with climate heating, are the main drivers of their demise.
“The Strategy proposes nothing to redress the logging of Koala habitat on public lands where at best 5-10 small potential Koala feed trees per hectare need to be protected in core Koala habitat, with the only other requirement being to wait for a Koala to leave before cutting down its tree” NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh said.
“We know that Koalas preferentially choose larger individuals of a limited variety of tree species for feeding, and losses of these trees will reduce populations. So protecting and restoring feed and roost trees is a prerequisite for allowing populations to grow on public lands.
“The most important and extensive Koala habitat we know of in NSW is in the proposed Great Koala National Park, encompassing 175,000 hectares of State Forests south of Grafton and west of Coffs Harbour.
“Similarly on the Richmond River lowlands the most important and extensive area known is the proposed Sandy Creek Koala Park, encompassing 7,000 ha of State Forests south of Casino.
“These are public lands that we know are important Koala habitat that need to be protected from further degradation if we want to recover Koala populations. There are many other areas of important Koala habitat on State forests in need of identification and protection from logging.
“The centrepiece of the NSW Koala Strategy is to spend $71 million on private lands, buying properties and implementing conservation agreements over up to 22,000 hectares.
“This will not compensate for the Liberal’s promises to the Nationals, as peace terms in the 2020 Koala Wars, to remove the requirement to obtain permission before clearing core Koala habitat, to end the prohibition on logging core Koala habitat, to open up all environmental zones for logging, and to stop core Koala habitat being added to environmental zones.
“Throwing money at piecemeal protection of private land, while allowing some of the best Koala habitat to be cleared and logged will not save Koalas
“Similarly their strategy to spend $31.5 million to restore and plant new Koala habitat could help, but only if they first stopped clearing and logging existing Koala habitat.
“Rather than the proposed piecemeal approach, what we need for private lands is for the Government to fund Councils to prepare Comprehensive Koala Plans of Management that identify where the core Koala habitat and important linkages are, and then to direct funding to best protecting those lands.
“The NSW Koala Strategy is set to fail because it does not fulfill the most fundamental requirement of stopping existing Koala habitat from being cleared and degraded, and lacks a strategic approach to identify the highest priority lands for protection and revegetation” Mr. Pugh said.
NSW FORESTRY CORPORATION is salvage logging KOALA HABITAT in CLOUDS CREEK and ELLIS STATE FOREST AGAIN IN 2022.
These wet sclerophyll public native forest compartments are within the proposed GREAT KOALA NATIONAL PARK and were extensively burnt during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires in November 2019.
This short video clip is a time series of satellite images taken from 16 September 2018 through to 9 June 2022, showing the impacts of logging and bushfire on the local landscape.
The forests here on the Dorrigo Plateau adjoin the NYMBOI-BINDERAY NATIONAL PARK and surround the Clouds Creek Pine Plantations in the southern end of Clarence Valley in northern NSW.
They are managed by the Grafton office of NSW Forestry Corporation, Hardwood Division.
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW OEH) has mapped the forests here as preferred koala habitat and the Clouds Creek state forest is recognised as a priority Koala Hub in need of protection to prevent NSW Koalas becoming extinct by 2050.
The Chaelundi Bioregion is a higher elevation, biodiversity hotspot which lies within the north western bounds of the Great Koala National Park proposal and provides forest connectivity across the eastern ranges critical to providing climate adaptivity for a multitude of threatened species living in these old growth, subtropical and warm temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest areas above 600 metres asl.
Logging truck in the Brooman State Forest less than a year after NSW 2019-20 bushfires destroyed more than 80 per cent of the Shoalhaven's bush. IMAGE: The Bush Telegraph, 12 October 2020.
NSW
PARLIAMENT,
retrieved 25 February 2022:
LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY - Signing ePetition - End Public Native Forest Logging
To
sign the ePetition, confirm you are a resident of New South Wales and
enter your title, first name and last name. Once you click ‘submit’
you will have signed the ePetition and will be re-directed to the
Legislative Assembly’s ‘ePetitions open for signature’ page
End
Public Native Forest Logging
To
the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
Public
native forest logging is pushing iconic species like the koala, swift
parrot and greater glider towards extinction.
The
2019/20 Black Summer bushfires burnt over 5 million hectares of
forest and have left them more vulnerable to the impacts of logging.
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) and the Environmental
Protection Agency have recommended that in bushfire affected areas
logging should cease entirely or face tighter restrictions, as
current logging practices may cause irreversible damage to ecosystems
and wildlife.
Logging
of public native forests is tax-payer subsidised. Forestry
Corporation’s Hardwood Division has been operating at a significant
loss for the past decade. In 2020/21 it ran at a loss of $20 million,
with predictions that it will face losses of $15 million until 2024.
Reports
also show our state forests can generate far more income through
their protection than from logging, through recreation, tourism and
carbon abatement.
The
Western Australian and Victorian Governments have already committed
to ending this industry and have developed transition plans to
support affected workers and businesses.
The
petitioners ask the Legislative Assembly to:
1.
Develop a plan to transition the native forestry industry to 100%
sustainable plantations by 2024.
2.
In the interim, place a moratorium on public native forest logging
until the regulatory framework reflects the recommendations of the
leaked NRC report.
3.
Immediately protect high-conservation value forests through gazettal
in the National Parks estate.
4.
Ban use of native forest materials as biomass fuel.
The
Australian endemic bee, Pharohylaeus lactiferus (Colletidae:
Hylaeinae) is a rare species that requires conservation assessment.
Prior to this study, the last published record of this bee species
was from 1923 in Queensland, and nothing was known of its biology.
Hence, I aimed to locate extant populations, provide biological
information and undertake exploratory analyses relevant to its
assessment. Pharohylaeus lactiferus was recently rediscovered as a
result of extensive sampling of 225 general and 20 targeted sampling
sites across New South Wales and Queensland. Collections indicate
possible floral and habitat specialisation with specimens only found
near Tropical or Sub-Tropical Rainforest and only visiting
Stenocarpus sinuatus (Proteaceae) and Brachychiton acerifolius
(Malvaceae), to the exclusion of other available floral resources.
Three populations were found by sampling bees visiting these plant
species along much of the Australian east coast, suggesting
population isolation. GIS analyses used to explore habitat
destruction in the Wet Tropics and Central Mackay Coast bioregions
indicate susceptibility of Queensland rainforests and P. lactiferus
populations to bushfires, particularly in the context of a fragmented
landscape. Highly fragmented habitat and potential host
specialisation might explain the rarity of P. lactiferus. Targeted
sampling and demographic analyses are likely required to thoroughly
assess the status of this species and others like it.
The
greatest threats to ecosystems and species worldwide are habitat
loss, fragmentation and degradation (Vie et al. 2009). Australia has
already cleared over 40% of its forests and woodlands since European
colonisation, leaving much of the remainder fragmented and degraded
(Bradshaw 2012). The vast majority of clearing has occurred on
freehold and leasehold land and for animal agriculture (Evans 2016).
In particular, Queensland is a contemporary land-clearing hotspot and
is responsible for more than half of all land-clearing in Australia
over the past four decades (Evans 2016). It is a failing of state and
federal government policy and regulation that land clearing in
Queensland continues at rates that should be of concern both
nationally and internationally (Reside et al. 2017).
Despite
the ecological importance of Australian native bees, we know very
little about their biology (Batley and Hogendoorn 2009) or
conservation status. North Queensland hosts high species richness and
endemism (Crisp et al. 2001; Orme et al. 2005; Hurlbert and Jetz
2007) and several bee genera that are found nowhere else in Australia
(Houston 2018; Smith 2018). These restricted bee genera include:
Ctenoplectra Kirby (Apidae: Apinae), Nomada Scopoli (Apidae:
Nomadinae), Mellitidia Guérin-Méneville (Halictidae: Nomiinae),
Reepenia Friese (Halictidae: Nomiinae), Patellapis Friese
(Halictidae: Halictinae) and Pharohylaeus Michener (Colletidae:
Hylaeinae).
Pharohylaeus
has only two described species: P. papuaensis Hirashima & Roberts
in Papua New Guinea and P. lactiferus (Cockerell) in Australia
(Houston 1975; Hirashima and Roberts 1986). Both species are
relatively large (9–11 mm), robust, mostly black with distinctive
white facial and body markings, and have the first three tergal
segments enlarged and enclosing the others. The former is known only
from two females which were collected on Syzygium aqueum (Burm.f.)
Alston (Myrtaceae) in 1982 (Hirashima and Roberts 1986). No published
records of P. lactiferus have been made since the third of January
1923, when three males were collected in the Atherton Tablelands; in
May of 1900 a male and a female were collected in Mackay while
another female was collected in Kuranda prior to 1910 (Cockerell
1910; Houston 1975). However, the collection localities of these
specimens are imprecise and no biological data were recorded.
Due
to the dearth of biological information on P. lactiferus prior to
this study, I aimed to locate extant populations and contribute
biological information as part of a broader bee survey. Because of
this, much of what follows are exploratory analyses of the potential
risks for P. lactiferus and suggestions for future research. Hence, I
undertook a series of post-hoc analyses in order to provide insights
into the biology, ecology and potential extinction risks associated
with P. lactiferus. I provide insights into the circumstances of the
rediscovery of P. lactiferus and what is now known of its floral and
habitat associations. I also explore spatial data relating to P.
lactiferus (vegetation association, potential fire risks and
occurrences) and my sampling methods (for potential biases). The
possible floral and habitat specialisation along with the rarity of
P. lactiferus raises concerns about its conservation status. I
further highlight the need for preservation of remnant vegetation and
better arthropod-diversity monitoring, particularly for at-risk and
phylogenetically important species.
The
forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) has been there longer than
the Freckles Early Childhood Learning Centre in Tweed Heads West but
the impact of the ibises who are roosting there at night are leaving
their deposits on the ground. While this is entirely natural for the
birds it has been a cause of concern for the Childcare Centre and
Tweed Shire Councillor Warren Polglase (conservative) put forward a
Notice of Motion (NoM) at last Thursday’s Council meeting (18
February) to have the tree removed.
While
Cr Polglase acknowledged that the tree had been there before the
childcare centre and that the ‘25 page arborist report was full of
jargon’ that he didn’t understand he felt it should be removed at
the cost of the Freckles Childhood Centre…….
‘We
should be active and take the tree down,’ Cr Polglase told the
meeting.
The forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis). Photo Aslan Shand.
Lights,
wind, action
An
amendment was put forward by Mayor Chris Cherry (Independent) and
seconded by Cr James Owen (Liberal) to ‘investigate the treatment
of the ibis with lighting and try to deter ibis from roosting in the
tree’ according to Mayor Cherry.
Both
Cr Owen and Mayor Cherry both highlighted the magnificence of the
tree.
‘The
forest red gum is a magnificent tree at 1.6m in girth. The arborist
report shows the tree is of exceptional health with less than one per
cent of [decay] in the crown. I went with an open mind. I thought
could be in bad condition. I really want to find a solution that
addresses the issue for the early learning centre but doesn’t
require the removal of the tree.’
Cr
Owen thanked Cr Polglase for bringing the issue to the councillors
attention and that he had been working on the issue with the
childhood centre for over 12 months.
‘The
primary concern [from the childcare centre] was the Ibis,’ Cr Owen
told the meeting.
‘This
alternative [motion] seems a possible way to go. I have been down
several times – I haven’t seen any fallen branches. I have seen a
lot of ibis droppings… Chopping the tree down is a last resort
though it may be what occurs further down the track. I think it is a
sensible approach to protect such a magnificent tree.’
Councillor
Katie Milne sought that the investigation of wind spinners as well as
lighting as a way to deter the ibis from nesting in the tree. She
pointed out to the council that the forest red gum is a ‘is a
primary koala food tree and important seed dispersal.
‘We
have been advised there is minimal health risk with the tree. We have
to have a policy, and we do have a policy, and we should abide by our
policy’ pointed out Cr Milne…..
The
amendment was carried with Deputy Mayor Reece Byrnes, and Crs Allsop,
and Polglase voting against.
For
now the tree will remain – but if the attempts to disperse the ibis
fail it will once again be in line for removal.
Under cover of the public heath emergency created by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Berejiklian Government is still not genuinely moving to save koala populations in New South Wales from extinction.
The Liberal Party leadership is still paralysed by the blackmail threats of National Party leader and MLA for Monaro John Barilaro - and so Liberal MLA for Hornsby Matt Kean in his conflicted role of Minister for Energy and Environment is doing little except mouthing soothing platitudes and making empty promises.
Because logging remaining native forests on Crown and private land - for woodchip, logs, sawn & dressed timber and biomass for power station/s - is what Liberal and Nationals shadowy political donors, greedy logging companies and developers hungry for cheap land are insisting needs to happen.
People in the Northern Rivers region are noticing.
I see #koalakiller is trending again. @GladysB if you don't want to see this keep trending, solutions are simple - 1st you need local koala coordinators & local koala community action plans for each population, then you need to fund them. Each population has its own needs🙏🐨💖 pic.twitter.com/Yy8RERhdEY
Koala advocates say the NSW government is not doing enough to save the animal from extinction after it backed without qualification a quarter of the recommendations of an upper house inquiry into the marsupial's populations and habitat.
In its formal response into the koala inquiry, the government supported 11 of the 42 recommendations, while offering "support in principle" to 17 others.
It "noted" the remaining 14.
Among the recommendations supported was the suggestion the government rule out opening old-growth forests within the state reserve for logging, and that it create Georges River National Park to secure habitat on Sydney's southern fringe.
However, it only "noted" the call to investigate setting up a Great Koala National Park in northern NSW.
“Recommendations such as the government urgently investigates the ‘utilisation of core koala habitat on private land and in state forests to replenish koala habitat lost in the bushfires’ appear to be rejected out of hand," Cate Faehrmann, the Greens MP and chair of the upper house committee, said.
“Many of the key recommendations, the vast majority of which were supported by all committee members because they are what needs to be done to save koalas from extinction, seem to have been rejected outright."
The inquiry's report, released last June, found koalas were on track for extinction in the wild in NSW before 2050 with habitat loss the main driver of their demise. Environment Minister Matt Kean said in the following month that he would set a goal to double the numbers of the animals - believed to be as few as 15,000 to 20,000 - by 2050.....
“Just
to give a shout-out for our friends the trees, I'd like to put on the
record that trees are renewable and they are recyclable. We believe
that we will manage them in a sustainable way. They are
carbon-positive and they are a resource that belongs to all
Australians. If you were going to go out and invent the absolutely
perfect product—as the big man who invented trees in the first
place did—you would invent a tree. I'm sure that trees were put on
this earth in the very first instance because they were able to be
cut down, because they would grow again and because they would
provide a resource for myriad different things—not just for possums
and for people to go and look at for a tourism adventure…”[
South Australian Liberal Senator Anne
Rushton,
Senate
Hansard 8 February 2018] {my yellow highlighting}
Wildlife
Crusaders For Our Environment shared
this letter on Facebook.
It was written by Catherine
Cusack,
Member of the NSW Legislative Council since March 2013, to Friends
of Kalang Headwaters:
Dear
Friends of Kalang Headwaters,
Can
I say I am incredibly flattered by the invitation and if I could be
there without cancelling other commitments I would 100% be there.
Apart
from the many good reasons to join you, the best part of my job is
first hand seeing our incredible ancient landscape with people who
understand it and can explain what I am looking at, what has happened
and the actions we need to take.
The
real heroes in our state are those who care, whose deep knowledge is
the result of years of observation, concern, research and trying to
share with their communities and people like me in politics who they
believe have a duty to respect and act upon the facts.
I
cannot find words to adequately describe my respect for all that work
and advocacy for our environment. And I would add the word worry.
People are really worried about past mistakes, how we can address
them and where things are headed. Anxiety for our precious and
fragile landscape and the species in trouble because it’s their
home and we failed to respect that. All of it is local. All of it is
respectful and all of it is informed by science - and I am just the
blow in whose contribution is simply to listen and absorb the
information. Information that has taken years of work to discern.
The briefings I receive are beautifully prepared often people take
time off work and fit in with my program. I cannot tell you how lucky
I am in this job and how duty bound I feel to act on the information
I am given. There is patience even when it’s forced because frankly
past mistakes for whatever reason make me angry and so I can only
imagine how local communities who live through the errors must feel.
I
voted against my Government's Bill because it was just wrong and a big
mistake - the suffering was all about being disloyal to my team who
gave me no choice.
The
messages of support I received were completely unexpected and
overwhelming. I was stunned and of course very grateful because it
was a big fall for me - and people who I don’t know reached out to
put me back on my feet again.
I
have thought so much about how surprised and pleased people were by
my vote. I can only guess they have become used to disappointment in
decisions and how “the system” just isn’t hearing what they are
saying. These people I am referring to have poured their lives into
helping our environment and while I am grateful, I am also sorry it
was an unexpected surprise. I get it because I worked hard before the
Bill was debated in Parliament and well know that sinking feeling -
this is super important and nobody is listening to me.
After
the vote they played Tom Perry’s song “I won’t back down”. I
certainly experienced a rush of affection for them but needed to
message that wasn’t the song I was listening to as I dragged my
sorry self up to Parliament that morning. The song I was playing on a
loop that I will always associate with that issue was The Eagles
“Take it to the Limit”. Because for me that song was all about
OMG I am failing but I have got to keep trying and when I fail again
I need to try harder.
I
tell this story because these feelings I recognise in every
passionate person trying to assist our environment. I sure know that
weariness and so when in spite of being so tired you keep going -
well that’s what inspires me.
There
is a Bobby Kennedy quote I first heard as a child. This is off topic
but google Bobby Kennedy’s son Robert Kennedy Jnr environment
podcasts and get ready to be inspired.
Anyway
this is his father’s quote and I love it because gives me so much
optimism about the power of community activism.
“ Each
time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of
others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny
ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different
centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can
sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
There
are ripples of hope crisscrossing our state and all of you know this
to be true because you are the ripples of hope. And it is becoming a
mighty torrent.
Last
week the torrent was unleashed on a government Bill I voted against.
It happened to be me - but I was just the end product of a massive
shift in opinion driven by local activism. I wouldn’t be there or
be able to do that if not for you. What you are doing is reversing
political currents in politics it is making a difference and the
power only grows because of perseverance in the face of
disappointments and adversity.
Please
never stop or feel disheartened. It is making such a difference.
In
my speech I mentioned the sad fate of a local koala colony in Ballina
Shire impacted by the construction of the Pacific Motorway. I tried
so hard at a really early stage of the project and to cut a very long
story short, I failed. It is an experience I say honestly, I am
embittered by what happened; there were other options but no, it was
the koalas who copped it. In some ways my decision to block the LLS
Bill is rooted in that defeat. I am not interested anymore in
“mitigation” or “offsets” we are so far beyond those ideas as
viable strategies. Nothing will restore what happened there in the
Blackhall Range and nothing can console the adoring community who
knew each koala and cared for their habitat. I share that story of a
lost battle because it contributed to the defeat of the Bill last
week. Losing battles can sometimes win wars - I am bewildered as to
why this is so hard but it is and we just push through it regardless.
I
applaud the conservation proposal for the Kalang headwaters. I love
that river and I am jealous of everyone who is present at the
ceremony. Thank all of you for caring for the river it’s ecosystem
and wildlife.
Please
never stop believing politics can be better than it is. My personal
motto is the longer it takes, the bigger the party when we get there!
Let’s try together to get there.
Bungabbee Forest near Bentley under threat from logging. Photo supplied.
Bungabbee Forest sits midway between Lismore, Casino and Kyogle – right near Bentley. Bungabbee is a little known environmental gem of the Northern Rivers.
Bungabbee is home to many threatened species. It forms part of the Mackellar Wildlife Corridor, connecting to the World Heritage Border Ranges. It is an area of outstanding biodiversity value in an extensively cleared landscape.
If this place is so wonderful, why is theNSW Forestry Corporation are planning to conduct logging here in April 2021?
Twenty-seven threatened species
Twenty-seven threatened species have been previously recorded from this vicinity, including Koalas, Glossy Black Cockatoos, Powerful Owls, Yellow Bellied Gliders, Squirrel Gliders, Greater Gliders. Parma Wallabies and Red-legged Pademelons. As well as the critically endangered Scrub Turpentine, and three endangered flora species: Rainforest Cassia, Tinospora Vine, and Native Jute.
The North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) recently organised a weekend survey by botanists and zoologists that additionally revealed the previously unknown presence of two vulnerable animals – Long-nosed Potoroo and Marbled Frogmouth – and the Critically Endangered Native Guava, along with localities of 175 threatened plants.
NEFA Spokesperson Dailan Pugh said finding a large unknown outlying population of the regionally endemic Marbled Frogmouth is exciting. ‘This is one of only a handful of species that the Forestry Corporation is still required to protect additional habitat for, though in this case there is no requirement to look before they log.
‘Luckily we did.’
Scrub Turpentine and Native Guava unlikely to regenerate
Mr Pugh said that it was particularly disturbing to find significant populations of the Critically Endangered Scrub Turpentine and Native Guava. ‘The very survival of these species is threatened by the introduced fungus Myrtle Rust, they are unlikely to regenerate and now the Forestry Corporation are intending to bulldoze over the survivors.
‘Our results clearly demonstrate the need for pre-logging surveys to identify the presence and locations of threatened species so they can be appropriately protected”
‘More surveys are required to identify other threatened species and their localities.’
Mr Pugh said that Bungabbee is of significant recreational value and is utilised by bush walkers, horse riders and mountain bike riders. ‘The proposed rail trail passes within a few kilometres of Bungabee, which would provide a cluster of trails perfect for those seeking more challenging cycling experiences,’ he said.
Renata Phelps has been working with a team of locals to share information and organise future actions. ‘The local community is strongly opposed to the logging and are taking a pro-active stance lobbying against the proposed actions,’ she said.
Residents feel a residual sense of affinity to Bentley
‘Bentley is an area that many Northern Rivers residents feel a residual sense of affinity to, after our iconic community win against CSG drilling in 2014.
‘With an increased emphasis on local tourism post COVID, Bungabbee is far more valuable as a forest, accessible to the public, than as wood chip. We should focus on enhancing the environmental, recreational and tourism potential of this area, not destroy it.
‘Recent bushfires, drought, and land clearing have greatly impacted our region. Now, more than ever before, it is essential we preserved key wildlife habitats such as Bungabbee,’ said Ms Phelps.
A Petition against the logging can be signed online at
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[Adopted and proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948]
Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.
A false flag musing: I have noticed one particular voice on Facebook which is Pollyanna-positive on the subject of the Port of Yamba becoming a designated cruise ship destination. What this gentleman doesn’t disclose is that, as a principal of Middle Star Pty Ltd, he could be thought to have a potential pecuniary interest due to the fact that this corporation (which has had an office in Grafton since 2012) provides consultancy services and tourismbusiness development services.
A religion & local government musing: On 11 October 2017 Clarence Valley Council has the Church of Jesus Christ Development Fund Inc in Sutherland Local Court No. 6 for a small claims hearing. It would appear that there may be a little issue in rendering unto Caesar. On 19 September 2017 an ordained minister of a religion (which was named by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to 40 instances of historical child sexual abuse on the NSW North Coast) read the Opening Prayer at Council’s ordinary monthly meeting. Earlier in the year an ordained minister (from a church network alleged to have supported an overseas orphanage closed because of child abuse claims in 2013) read the Opening Prayer and an ordained minister (belonging to yet another church network accused of ignoring child sexual abuse in the US and racism in South Africa) read the Opening Prayer at yet another ordinary monthly meeting. Nice one councillors - you are covering yourselves with glory!
An investigative musing: Newcastle Herald, 12 August 2017: The state’s corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate the finances of the Awabakal Aboriginal Local Land Council, less than 12 months after the troubled organisation was placed into administration by the state government. The Newcastle Herald understands accounting firm PKF Lawler made the decision to refer the land council to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after discovering a number of irregularities during an audit of its financial statements.The results of the audit were recently presented to a meeting of Awabakal members. Administrator Terry Lawler did not respond when contacted by the Herald and a PKF Lawler spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter. Given the intricate web of company relationships that existed with at least one former board member it is not outside the realms of possibility that, if ICAC accepts this referral, then United Land Councils Limited (registered New Zealand) and United First Peoples Syndications Pty Ltd(registered Australia) might be interviewed. North Coast Voices readers will remember that on 15 August 2015 representatives of these two companied gave evidence before NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 6 INQUIRY INTO CROWN LAND. This evidence included advocating for a Yamba mega port.
A Nationals musing: Word around the traps is that NSW Nats MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has been talking up the notion of cruise ships visiting the Clarence River estuary. Fair dinkum! That man can be guaranteed to run with any bad idea put to him. I'm sure one or more cruise ships moored in the main navigation channel on a regular basis for one, two or three days is something other regular river users will really welcome. *pause for appreciation of irony* The draft of the smallest of the smaller cruise vessels is 3 metres and it would only stay safely afloat in that channel. Even the Yamba-Iluka ferry has been known to get momentarily stuck in silt/sand from time to time in Yamba Bay and even a very small cruise ship wouldn't be able to safely enter and exit Iluka Bay. You can bet your bottom dollar operators of cruise lines would soon be calling for dredging at the approach to the river mouth - and you know how well that goes down with the local residents.
A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?
A serial pest musing: I'm sure the Clarence Valley was thrilled to find that a well-known fantasist is active once again in the wee small hours of the morning treading a well-worn path of accusations involving police, local business owners and others.
An investigative musing: Which NSW North Coast council is batting to have the longest running code of conduct complaint investigation on record?
A which bank? musing: Despite a net profit last year of $9,227 million the Commonwealth Bank still insists on paying below Centrelink deeming rates interest on money held in Pensioner Security Accounts. One local wag says he’s waiting for the first bill from the bank charging him for the privilege of keeping his pension dollars at that bank.
A Daily Examiner musing: Just when you thought this newspaper could sink no lower under News Corp management, it continues to give column space to Andrew Bolt.
A thought to ponder musing: In case of bushfire or flood - do you have an emergency evacuation plan for the family pet?
An adoption musing: Every week on the NSW North Coast a number of cats and dogs find themselves without a home. If you want to do your bit and give one bundle of joy a new family, contact Happy Paws on 0419 404 766 or your local council pound.
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