Working to protect Gippsland’s forests for future generations of animals, plants and people
After the fantastic news that Fellas Coupe will be regenerated to native forest — thanks (again!) to so many of you in our community — you might think the work's done and we're feet up, slippers on, tea in hand by the fire ..... ha!
There is still much to be done to ensure the protection of threatened species and forests in the Strzeleckis.
A quick summary of where our main campaign strands are up to this month:
- No Pines in the Strzeleckis (FSC 10.1): Third FSC consultation round likely — 3,500 hectares of Mountain Ash at stake.
- Section 69 Agreement: Two state MPs now pressing the State Government on HVP compliance.
- Livingstone Creek win: HVP agrees to regenerate logged Mountain Ash to native forest.
- FSC/ASI complaint: Accepted for investigation by FSC's auditors.
- Turtons Creek habitat corridor: Community pushing HVP for a 100-metre buffer.
- Rainforest ID training: Training with David Cameron to better identify rainforest boundaries.
No Pines in the Strzeleckis (FSC 10.1):
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is likely to have a third round of consultation on whether a native-species plantation, once logged, can be replanted with pine — a decision affecting around 3,500 hectares of Mountain Ash in the Strzeleckis and also native-species plantations Australia-wide. Almost 300 people joined our first and second submissions along with allies including the Biodiversity Council; we're now advocating strongly at all levels of the FSC to maintain the original interpretation for Round Three.
Stay tuned. We still think it’s worth staying with the process even though it feels like a marathon.
Pines - a disaster for biodiversity in the Strzeleckis
The Section 69 Agreement:
We're pressing the Victorian Government to confirm whether the requirements of a 2009 agreement protecting native vegetation across 100+ coupes in the Strzeleckis are being met. We believe planting pine in place of indigenous species and failing to protect adjacent rainforest is inconsistent with this agreement, and we have asked the Government to confirm whether permission has been granted to do so. The Environment Minister’s office has said they are looking into it.
A question raised by Ellen Sandell (Victorian Greens leader) on this issue in State Parliament remains unanswered and Georgie Purcell (Victorian Animal Justice Party leader) plans to raise the issue again in the Senate this week. We are incredibly grateful for the support of these two amazing women and their teams, willing to speak up in support of Strzelecki forests.
This matter remains open.
HVP to restore Native Forest along Livingstone Creek:
HVP has agreed to regenerate some areas of the Turtons Plantation adjacent to Livingstone Creek back to native forest, after the community raised concerns about the logging of Mountain Ash adjacent to Turtons Creek Scenic Reserve, a rainforest site of significance. HVP have committed to regenerating these areas and adding them to the protected custodial land.
A win for the forest!
Areas close to Livingstone Creek will be rehabilitated
Complaint to the Forest Stewardship Council:
Our complaint over inadequate protection of threatened species and the conversion of native forest to pine in the Strzeleckis has been accepted for investigation by ASI, auditors for FSC.
We have been providing detailed evidence for their review.
Outcome pending.
Turtons Creek habitat corridor:
Friends of Turtons Creek, South Gippsland Landcare Network, Save Our Strzeleckis, local neighbours and GFG have asked HVP to establish a 100-metre buffer along the Turtons Creek Stream Reserve. The Reserve supports rare and threatened species and vegetation communities and supplies town water to Meeniyan and Dumbalk. The science is clear that a 100-metre buffer is required to maintain the integrity of the high conservation values in the Turtons Creek Reserve.
Click to watch some drone footage of the area we are aiming to protect.
Rainforest Identification with David Cameron:
We are so grateful to David for offering to train us in the use of his Field Guide to Rainforest Identification in Victoria. David's guide provides botanical keys to identifying rainforest communities and the methodology to map rainforest boundaries in the field. This has really improved our identification skills in Strzelecki Warm and Cool Temperate Rainforest. This is invaluable in our work to ensure the protective buffers for rainforest required by law and for FSC certification are in place in the Strzeleckis. If you are looking for the guide (now out of print) you can find a pdf on our website.
David Cameron discussing his Rainforest Identification Key with Stuart (GFG) and Karl (Just Ecology)
Thank you!
None of this happens without your support — thank you, as always, for your trust and generosity.
If you’d like to learn more, you can listen to Lisa’s recent interview on 3CR via the GFG latest news page, or take a look at the GFG Instagram account, and as always, feel free to get in contact if you have any questions or ideas you’d like to share.
Warm regards,
Victoria and the GFG team