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Say 'no' to replacing native species plantations with pine trees... again!

NOTE THIS SUBMISSION IS NOW CLOSED - thank you to everyone who signed on.

Click here now to easily sign on to our submission to a second round of FSC consultation

or
Read on to find out what it's all about.
  1. A large logging company, HVP, has been logging 1000's of hectares of native Mountain ash in the Strzelecki's and replacing it with pine trees; an invasive species and an absolute disaster for all the threatened plants and animals residing in the gullies of these forestry coupes. 
  2. In 2025, we successfully challenged HVPs plan to replant the Mountain ash that had been logged n the Fella’s Track Coupe in Turtons Creek with pine trees.  We did this through a complaint to the voluntary sustainability scheme - the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
  3. The FSC requires certified companies to regenerate sites to 'pre-harvest condition'.  We said that replanting a site of Mountain Ash with pines cannot do this.
  4. FSC International published an interpretation that we thought was exactly correct ...and right.  They said (in plain language) 'No...  the FSC .. Standard of Australia does not permit replanting a harvested native species plantation with an exotic species, such as Pinus radiata.
  5. A huge number of our supporters made submissions supporting the draft interpretation. If this included you then THANK YOU AGAIN!

So where are we now?  

  1. FSC Australia has now released a second draft interpretation for consultation.
  2. It's not good.
  3. We've analysed it and prepared a submission to tell the FSC what we think of it.
  4. Click here now to add your voice to our submission.

We need the FSC to get this right.

The outcome will affect native species plantations across the country and determine whether native eucalyptus plantations can be replaced with exotic species like pine. Over 10,000 hectares in the Strzelecki's alone are at risk.  The interpretation relates to Principle 10.1 of the FSC Australian standard which clearly states that harvested areas shall be regenerated to ‘pre-harvest or more natural conditions’.

It is our view that native species plantations should be replaced with native species, not replaced with exotics from overseas such as pine trees. 

Click here to add your voice to our submission.

Want more detail?  Click here to read the full wording of the draft interpretation and click here to read our draft submission in full (we'll add your name before submitting).

 

If you'd like to make your own submission:

Click here to find out how you access the FSC portal and some tips on submitting.