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🇦🇺 Australia /Environment & Climate

Environmental groups raise concerns about logging 'by stealth' in Victoria

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Environmental groups in Victoria, Australia, are concerned about the logging of large, old trees under the guise of fuel reduction.
  • They report an increase in marked trees for removal since the end of native timber harvesting in 2024, with one instance of a dead endangered possum found after tree removal.
  • The groups argue that the state's new 'Timber By-Product Framework' may facilitate unnecessary timber extraction, potentially harming wildlife habitats.

Environmental advocates in Victoria, Australia, are raising alarms about what they describe as "logging by stealth," expressing concerns over the removal of large, older trees in native forests. Groups like the Wildlife of the Central Highlands (WOCH) have observed a noticeable increase in the number of significant trees marked for removal by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) since the cessation of native timber harvesting in 2024.

This is a tree that our group watch and myself observed greater gliders emerging from its hollows on various nights.

— Blake NesbitBlake Nesbit described the ecological significance of a specific mountain grey gum tree marked for removal.

Blake Nesbit, a member of WOCH, highlighted a specific hollow-bearing mountain grey gum tree near Noojee, noting its importance as habitat for endangered species like the Leadbeater's possum. Nesbit stated he had personally observed greater gliders emerging from its hollows and could easily identify its suitability for wildlife. His group reported finding a dead Leadbeater's possum following the removal of hollow-bearing trees in the area.

Jordan Crook, a nature campaigner at the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), echoed these concerns, suggesting that the state government's recently introduced 'State Forest Timber By-Product Framework' might be enabling unnecessary timber removal. He argued that the end of native timber harvesting has not adequately protected the environment and that timber extraction from public land has intensified. Previously, logs were left in the ecosystem to serve important roles, but this framework, implemented in April, allows for the removal and sale of native timber debris as part of forest and fire management operations.

Just taking a quick look at the tree, I could tell it had suitable large hollows and could be hosting certain animals.

— Blake NesbitBlake Nesbit explained how he identified the tree as important wildlife habitat.

Warburton Environmental Inc. has taken legal action, filing a Federal Court case in May 2024 against the Victorian government to halt the destruction of hollow-bearing trees in state and national parks. The ongoing trial has led to restrictions on fuel break renewal works in the Central Highlands, pending a decision.

This has been a part of fuel break operations, burn preparation and other operations where in the past the logs would be left in the ecosystem to play an important role.

— Jordan CrookJordan Crook contrasted current timber removal practices with past approaches.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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