Most of you will be aware that early last year, Vicforests carried out logging at the Parlours Creek coupe in the Lima East area of the Strathbogie State forest. The so-called single tree selection logging resulted in the destruction of around 80% of the coupe, resulting in the loss of habitat for large numbers of the critically endangered Greater Gliders, as well as numerous other forest dwelling animals and birds.
Now, Vicforests are at it again, but this time the situation is even more desperate!
The Barjarg Flat coupe on the corner of Barjarg and Tallangalook Rds is twice the size (around 60 hectares) of Parlours Creek coupe, but more importantly, independent surveys carried out late last year by the Arthur Rylah Institute, included the highest ever recorded density in Victoria of Greater Gliders, and in addition, a Powerful Owl has been detected in the same area.
These facts should trigger a red flag alarm for the Environment Minister to intervene and stop the logging, at least until an extensive assessment of the area has been completed. Powerful Owl Management Areas (POMA) were established over 20 years ago in Victoria, based on information then available, but now out of date. A POMA requires an automatic logging exclusion zone of 500 hectares, and for this to happen at Barjarg Flat, we need to get the minister to listen and act.
The problem is – she is just not listening!
We, and the Gliders and Owls need your help.
Please phone and/or email the minister’s office over the next few days to express your URGENT concerns – logging was supposed to have commenced 2 days ago, but thankfully, no equipment is on site yet.
The contact details are listed below, and also for Jaclyn Symes, the Labor member for Northern Victoria in the Legislative Council.
Lily D’Ambrosio (Environment Minister) Ph: 96379504 Email: lily.d’[email protected]
Jaclyn Symes (MLC Northern Victoria) Ph: 57832000 Email: [email protected]
Thank you, in anticipation of your support.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Holmes Ph: 0438625638 Email: [email protected]