More protests have stopped illegal logging in NSW state forests this week, this time at Flat Rock State Forest on the south coast and Sheas Nob State Forest on the north coast.
This action by South East Forest Rescue (SEFR) follows the exposure of up to 282 potential breaches of logging rules in NSW state forests. The local communities are left wondering whether Forestry Corporation understands their governing regulations which are designed to protect the endangered greater glider and koala habitat.
SEFR v FCNSW – Battle for Greater Gliders have a fundraiser here.
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NSW Environment Protection Authority
Three weeks ago, conservation groups urged the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to issue stop work orders and investigate the alleged breaches in forestry activities across nine state forests.
With no apparent response from the EPA, a follow-up letter was sent on Monday, revealing that there were now 282 breaches of survey rules with twenty logging operations in violation. (Editors Note: the next week EPA Changes Rules to Protect Greater Gliders, again)
The state forests under scrutiny include Flat Rock, Shallow Crossing, Boyne, Olney, Riamukka, Styx River, Sheas Nob, Wang Wauk, Yarratt, Collombatti, Mistake, Ballengarra, Ewingar, Gibraltar Range, Kangaroo River, Nymboida, and Bondo State Forests.
The regulations stipulate that surveys for greater glider den trees must be conducted within an hour of sunset.
However, an audit conducted by SEFR found that nearly 80% of the searches, amounting to 282 transects, failed to comply with this requirement, rendering the surveys non-compliant.
Despite being informed of these violations, both the EPA and the Forestry Corporation have not taken the necessary steps to halt the non-compliant surveys.
“We have issued community Stop Work Orders on the Forestry Corporation,” said Scott Daines, spokesperson for SEFR.
“This is a blatant breach of the logging laws. The law quite clearly says that operations must not be conducted unless compliant surveys have been undertaken. It is outrageous that the EPA has failed to act in the last 24 days.”
“This failure by the EPA has left no option but for the community to stop these illegal operations to protect our endangered Greater Gliders. We are here to stop a crime being committed.”
Just nine days ago, the Court of Appeal granted South East Forest Rescue (SEFR) the right to continue its prosecution against the NSW Forestry Corporation for alleged breaches of environmental protection laws.
The Court of Appeal’s decision, based on evidence that SEFR is a suitable entity to litigate offenses committed by the NSW Forestry Corporation, marks a significant victory for environmental activists who have long sought greater accountability from forestry operations.
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