23 May 2023 – Conservationists celebrate reports that state government will end native forest logging by the end of the year.
This morning the ABC has reported that the Daniel Andrews government has made a decision to bring forward the transition out of native forest logging, from 2030 to January 2024.
The Australia Institute, Victorian Forest Alliance, Friends of the Earth Melbourne & Victorian National Parks Association have all reacted positively to the news that Victoria will end logging in native forests in January 2024.
Tasmania must end native forest logging after crucial Victorian decision – The Australia Institute
The Australia Institute is calling on the Tasmanian Government to follow Victoria and end native forest logging from 2024.
The Australia Institute Tasmania Director Eloise Carr said Victoria’s decision to bring forward its native logging ban from 2030 was well overdue, and urged Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff to end the economically and environmentally unsustainable industry.
“Tasmania has been handed a golden opportunity to protect its native forests by closing the curtain on this economically and environmentally unsustainable industry,” Ms Carr said.
“Australia Institute research over many years has highlighted the financial and economic losses of native forestry. The sector is a relatively small employer, heavily subsidised by the taxpayer and it causes climate change and habitat loss.”
Logging reduces carbon storage, threatens native species and increases fire hazard as Australia heads into another El Nino, which brings renewed bushfire risk after years of heavy rain.
“The end of native forest logging is long overdue and Tasmania’s environment cannot afford the State Government delaying the inevitable end of an industry well past its use-by date,” Ms Carr said.
“With Victoria today bringing forward its native forest logging ban to 2024, Tasmania and NSW are the only states dragging the chain,” Ms Carr said.
“If the Tasmanian Government ended native forest logging it would not just good environmental policy but good economic policy.”
Native Forest Logging and Biodiversity – Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth Melbourne have applauded the Andrews government, as they announce that the end of Native forest logging is to be brought forward to January 2024, with $200m allocated to assist forestry workers and their communities with the transition.
After decades of community campaigning, finally native forests will be safe from woodchipping and clear felling.
“This is a huge moment for everyone who has worked tirelessly to end logging and bring forward this transition date,” said Friends of the Earth forest campaigner Alana Mountain. It’s what we have needed for decades; to protect remaining carbon sinks, biodiversity, water catchments and First Nations culture. This is a sensible move to wind up the timber industry and transition affected workers. This is justice for climate, forests, and humanity.”
“We just protected one of the world’s largest carbon sinks in this state, a globally significant area for climate mitigation,” said Alana.
“This is an outcome achieved by various environmental groups and the grassroots community with court cases, relentless citizen science efforts, lobbying of decision makers, forest tours and of course a long blockading legacy,” said Alana.
“It’s vital that the government continues to support affected communities and we welcome the announcement of an additional $200 million to support workers and their families as they exit the industry.”
“Right now is a sensitive time for affected workers, but with the clarity this announcement provides, people are no longer in limbo. It’s an opportunity for communities to come together, develop a collective vision for their local economy, and create ongoing jobs that are rooted in regenerative land stewardship, climate resilience, and caring for one another.”
“We thank the new environment minister Ingrid Stitt for showing leadership and finally listening to what communities that have been calling for a long time. Transitioning earlier is in line with the ecological and climate realities we’re facing and it also makes it possible for communities to transition with dignity and embrace the opportunity to create a long-term future beyond logging.”
Victorian nature community elated over faster end to native forest logging in the state – Victorian National Parks Association
The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) has welcomed the announcement of the State Government’s decision to bring forward the end of native forest logging to January 2024.
The end date will be accelerated from 2030 to the start of next year through additional $200 million of measures announced in Tuesday’s State Budget.
“After decades of campaigning to protect Victoria’s native forests from state-funded native forest logging, we’re elated to hear the Victorian Government show leadership on this issue,” VNPA Executive Director Matt Ruchel said.
“This is a great step forward for all the groups and community folk who spent so long working to protect these incredible habitats, wildlife and special places.”
“The news that the end of native forest logging in our state is to be brought forward is critical for the current and future health of our natural world, and the security of workers and community.
“We’re keen to see the detail and better understand how these forests will be managed and protected into the future, and welcome the commitment for a full assessment of forest suitable for new national parks.
“We also hope this will clear the way for the previously promised national parks in the central west to be established as soon as possible”.
VicForests has been under pressure over the logging of native forests following the devastating black summer bushfires in 2019-20, and after being found via community court cases to have broken the laws in three cases, over failing to protect endangered wildlife like the iconic Greater Glider.
VicForests made a loss of $54.2 million in 2022 despite receiving government handouts. Let’s hope winding up VicForests is part of the solution.
VNPA support assistance in supporting forestry workers and the ongoing health of our remaining native forests, but are keen to see the detail of what is planned for forest management works announced in the government package, which will allow workers to continue to work in the forests and contribute to bushfire risk reduction.
Conservationists celebrate reports that state government will end native forest logging by the end of the year. – Victorian Forest Alliance
Conservationists and forest campaigners from across the state are celebrating the news, after long, and hard fought campaigns, some spanning nearly four decades.
Only months after the announcement in 2019 that native forest logging would be phased out through a decade-long transition, one of the largest and most devastating bushfires in human memory wiped out more than two thirds of the forest in the far east of the state, decimating forests and wildlife.
Despite the catastrophic impacts of the fires, native forest logging continued.
Before the announcement in 2019, and to this day, state owned logging company VicForests has been involved in countless controversies and scandals, from serious breaches to environment laws, to using public funds to spy on conservationists and scientists. Last year VicForests reported a record annual loss of $54 million, subsidised by tax-payers.
Community legal cases and forms of direct action like citizen science have long been used to hold the state owned logging agency accountable to the law, and to try and protect forests under threat from logging. Most recently a landmark case halted logging where endangered greater gliders and yellow-bellied gliders are found. The case was instrumental in upholding VicForests’ legal requirements to survey for wildlife prior to logging, a law they had been ignoring for years.
Spokesperson and Campaign Coordinator for the Victorian Forest Alliance, Chris Schuringa stated, “This is a monumental win; for forests, for wildlife, for climate, and for the hard-working people who have spent countless hours surveying for endangered species, preparing evidence for court cases, lobbying, and campaigning. Some have been fighting for this for over three decades.”
“There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure these forests are permanently protected from all kinds of destructive practices – not just conventional logging. The next priority is to focus on supporting workers through a just transition and restoring Victoria’s native forests, which will provide real, lasting, sustainable employment for regional communities.”
“But for now, we are overjoyed by this historic announcement, and acknowledge the hard work, passion and perseverance of all the people who have been fighting for this for so long.” said Chris Schuringa, VFA Campaign Coordinator.
Established in November 2021, the Victorian Forest Alliance (VFA) brings together more than 35 existing and well-established grassroots forest groups actively protecting native forests across Victoria. Collectively, we have decades of experience working with our local communities.
Image courtesy of Mark Graham
