the campaign trail - 15 sep

I'm running in the upcoming state election in the upper house seat of Eastern Metropolitan. It's been another busy week on the campaign trail. This week includes updates on:

- Greens kickstart Doncaster Rail
- Greens announce election commitment: Victorian Family Violence Action Plan
- Tour of the Toolangi forests with Bob Brown and Ellen Sandell
- Phonebanking with the Maroondah Knox Greens
- Greens want a Fair go for Solar Savers

A logging coupe is a devastating sight,
only the Greens will stand up for
our forests, biodiversity and Victoria's
very own Leadbeater's Possum.

You can keep up to date with campaign news on:

facebook - Samantha Dunn EasternMetropolitan
  or
twitter - @greens4eastmet 

to volunteer or donate

web - Samantha Dunn, Candidate for Eastern Metropolitan

leadbeaters possum still threatened

Despite much focus on Victoria’s state faunal emblem, the Leadbeater’s Possum, it’s still under threat, listed as endangered and nominated for consideration as critically endangered.

The two key threats to its ongoing existence are logging and fire. Sadly it’s habitat continues to be logged in Victoria. Most recently a coupe (Rusty in Toolangi) containing 101 hollow bearing trees, habitat critical for the ongoing survival of Leadbeater’s Possum, is being logged to supply woodchip (80%), pallet wood (17%) and a tiny 3% highgrade timber.

 

There’s been a long history of efforts to protect this species. In 2012, the much respected Professor David Lindenmayer, Australia’s foremost expert on the Leadbeater’s Possum (LBP) and their habitat with 30 years’ experience and research, quit the LBP Recovery Team stating that the Victorian government was “managing the Leadbeater’s Possum into extinction.”
 

Toolangi locals and those concerned further afield
are campaigning to highlight logging and its
contribution to extinction, this banner will be
adjusted every week to reflect how many people
have been following the issue online, last Sunday
the number of people exceeded 1.1million.

Prof David Lindenmayer remains one of the critical voices in the fight for the Leadbeater’s Possum and the Central Highlands of Victoria. Despite the ongoing work and focus of many the Leadbeater’s Possum remains under threat.

In the lead up to the Victorian State Election there has been an enormous advocacy campaign to see the creation of a Great Forest National Park, Prof David Lindenmayer said of the park “The Great Forests National Park is an investment for the long-term because it will secure Melbourne's domestic water supply catchments, a suite of new economic opportunities for the region will roll-out, and the state's faunal emblem, the Leadbeater's Possum, among others, will be brought back from the brink of extinction.”

 

Greens Senator Janet rice visited Toolangi late last year.

In September, 2013, The Greens announced their support for the Great Forest National Park and called on broader support for the creation of the park. They said “The Victorian state government is logging some of the Leadbeater's Possum's last remaining habitat, in Victoria's Central Highlands. This logging is driving this endangered animal to extinction. With fewer than 1000 remaining, we need a National Park to ensure they are protected.”
 

In the recent submissions, as part of the Leadbeater’s Possum Advisory Group (LPAG) consultations, 70% of submissions recommended the creation of a Great Forest National Park as a course of action. Other issues raised as part of the LPAG submissions included:

· The need to secure habitat for Leadbeater’s Possum now and into the future, and to ensure this habitat has connectivity and a distribution of age classes.

· A call for the end of clearfall timber harvesting. There is an opinion that timber harvesting should be migrated to plantations.
· Protection of Leadbeater’s Possum colonies was a strong theme throughout the submissions. In line with the position adopted by the leading scientist on the species, Professor David Lindenmayer, many submissions adopted either all his recommendations or variations on those recommendations.
· Address forestry prescriptions to secure environmental benefits – particularly the protection of old growth forest and the need to ensure the recruitment of the next generation of old growth.
· Lack of information and transparency – a call for an end to the (perceived) subsidisation of VicForests, clarity on the sustainability of native timber harvest and the economic impacts/benefits of native timber harvest.

The recommendations from the LPAG are disappointing, but given the terms of reference were framed 'supporting the recovery of the Leadbeater's Possum while maintaining a sustainable timber industry', it’s not surprising.

Recommendations contained will still impact on the long term survival of the species, with Prof Lindenmayer stating “I think it’ll buy the Leadbeater’s Possum maybe five, at most ten years. The possum might survive 25, 30 years from now, instead of 15 to 20 years, (but) this is about 10 per cent of what is needed.” Prof Lindenmayer said the report had ignored the 31 years of science he had contributed on the possum and the ecology of the Central Highlands forests.
 

The Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum labelled the LPAG recommendations as mediocre and have detailed their response to the 13 LPAG recommendations here.

 I’ve got a long history of the issues around logging and leadbeater’s on my blog, click here if you’d like to read some past stories.
 

Meanwhile the community continues to protest the logging in Toolangi and #saverusty is getting a lot of exposure on social media platforms as a way to highlight the plight of our forests and the wildlife that lives in them.  You can find out more about that campaign by searching #saverusty and don’t forget to sign up to support the GreatForest National Park too.

another extinction emergency looming

Last week I attended Extinction Emergency, an event hosted by Greens Senator RichardDi Natale about the increasing biodiversity crisis happening in Victoria's backyard, in the forests of the Central Highlands.


What an inspiring group of people, from left to right:
Tim Flannery, Prof David Lindenmayer, Bob Brown,
Sarah Rees, Adam Bandt and Janet Rice.

The event saw a range of inspiring speakers talk to a packed RMIT Storey Hall about the crisis our State faunal emblem, the Leadbeater's Possum, is facing due to lack of habitat. 

Speakers also outlined a vision for the future, one that is good for jobs, good for the environment, good for climate change, good for water supply and good for biodiversity, the creation of the Great Forest National Park spanning the forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria.

Tim Flannery spoke about the extinction crisis in this country and said it was the eleventh hour for the Leadbeater's Possum, concerned that we will be the last generation to see this species alive. He went on to say that if we do act we can prevent decline of species.

Professor David Lindenmayer has been studying
the Leadbeater's Possum for over three decades.
He says we need to start rethink the management
of public assets for the public good.
for the public good

Prof David Lindenmayer, renowned expert on Leadbeater's Possum, said the plight of the possum was emblematic of the failure of government policy and legislation to protect a species and that industrial scale logging was setting the possum on a path to extinction. He talked about  the Mountain Ash forests of the Central Highlands and their carbon carrying capacity, these are the most carbon dense forests in the world (read more here).   He went on to highlight that only 1.16% of old growth Mountain Ash forest is left, whilst only 0.37% of Alpine Ash forest remains and we continue to log our water catchments explaining in detail the enormous pressure our forests are under.

He talked about the science that shows that logging makes these forests more fire prone and how critical it is to have old trees left in the forests to provide habitat for Leadbeater's Possum (among other species). He raised concerns about logging and the prescriptions that guide not only how but how much gets logged and the urgent need for them to change.

Professor Lindenmayer explained the creation of a Great Forest National Park would address the lack of habitat available to the Leadbeater's Possum as the current reserve system in place is not nearly enough to ensure the survival of the species.  Prof Lindenmayer went on to talk about the wealth of opportunities a Great Forest National Park would create. 

Next up was Bob Brown, long time campaigner and advocate for the environment, now heading up the Bob Brown Foundation, an organisation which aims to help front-line environmentalists wherever they face the imminent destruction of Australia’s wild and scenic heritage. Bob spoke of the magnificence of these forests only an hour or so from Melbourne.  He spoke with great passion about the world's tallest flowering tree, the mountain ash, and the opportunity for the Leadbeater's Possum and a Great Forest National Park if 4 million Melburnians got behind it.

Adam Bandt, Greens MP (and candidate) for Melbourne announced that the Greens were 100% behind the push to create a Great Forest National Park.

Sarah Rees, Healesville based environmentalist and Director of My Environment, spoke of how critical it was to diversify the local economy of the region.  She went on to say that MyEnvironment are in talks with the local timber industry to talk about transition plans out of the industry and into new jobs.

The Kalatha Giant walk in Toolangi is a great example of ecotourism in these magnificent forests, imagine the potential with the Great Forest National Park.  

Part of the Extinction Emergency included vox pop
interviews by Rob Gell. I talked to Rob about my concerns
about diminishing habitat for endangered species in
Yarra Ranges.

It was a great event, with these inspirational speakers highlighting a vision for the future that protects not only the environment and habitat of a range of species including threatened species like Leadbeater's Possum and the Powerful Owl, but has benefits for water supply to Melbourne and carbon storage as a way to mitigate climate change.

I encourage you to have a look at the Great Forest National Park website and start to talk to friends, family, work colleagues and politicians about the issues, it's the only way we'll ever see the change we want to see. I also encourage you to visit these magnificent forests, they are truly special places and far too precious to lose to logging.

timber towns no go

report from the roundtable – 27 aug

Last night’s council meeting had to consider a motion to re-join Timber Towns, an advocacy group whose purpose is to represent the interests of councils in relations to logging.

I am pleased to report council voted to not re-join this advocacy group in a four/five vote against the motion. 

In what continues to be a change to the culture and custom of Yarra Ranges Council, the Mayor once again moved the motion to re-join and was seconded by Cr Callanan. Cr Child talked about the serious socio economic issues in the O’Shannassy and Ryrie wards and how the timber industry was an important employer across those regions. He went on to quote economic data around the timber industry in what I would describe as cherry picking to suit the argument. He talked about $30.7million the timber industry contributes to the Yarra Ranges economy, the $19.9million contribution in support services to the industry and the 62 people in Powelltown who are employed directly in the industry.

I could not support the motion, in speaking against the motion I wanted to clarify for councillors the true economic picture of the industry in Yarra Ranges, using data sourced from the Yarra Ranges Economic Development Department. I acknowledge the importance of the industry to townships like Powelltown but could not see how being a member of Timber Towns would translate in protecting and growing those jobs.

In terms of the economic data, the $30.7milion contribution is a very small part of what is a $10.5billion economy, it represents 0.2% of the total economy in the Yarra Ranges. The $19.9million in support services is measured in support across the agricultural sector, it includes the horticulture, viticulture and floriculture industries, there will be a component that does support the timber industry but very small in terms of the size of those other agricultural industries in Yarra Ranges.

There are 56 direct jobs in the timber industry, out of 35,000 jobs in Yarra Ranges. There are 780 road transport jobs and a very small percentage of this figure could be attributed to local timber cartage companies. There are 444 jobs in Saw Mill, Wood & Paper Product Manufacturing, these cannot all be attributed to sawmilling as the data includes prefabricated wooden building manufacturing and wooden structural fitting and component manufacturing.

I don’t doubt that the community of Powelltown needs support, it was my view that we’d be better off supporting that community directly and giving any money we are considering for Timber Towns directly to them for community projects.  We know that the timber industry is in contraction, supported by evidence given by Vic Forests at the recent Supreme Court case re logging in Toolangi.

I’ll do more on this story later in the day in terms of what councillors said for and against the motion.

samantha in the media

Extinction Emergency: Save our forests
The Australian Greens
Aug 2013

Council debt to hit $50million
by Jesse Graham
Mail Newspapers
20 Aug 2013

leadbeater's possum - situation critical

Pam Miskin, President of the Friends of Leadbeaters Possum,
Eric Wilkinson who rediscovered the species in 1961 and
Cr Samantha Dunn, keen to continue to highlight the plight of our
state emblem, the Leadbeater's Possum.

It was great to get up into the forests in Camberville behind Melbourne's water catchments as part of the Leadbeater's Possum Awareness Week. Leadbeater’s Possum is Victoria’s State Faunal emblem. An endangered species with both State and National Recovery Programs in place. Endemic to Victoria, they exist nowhere else but the Central Highlands forests, Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and alpine areas between Lake Mountain & Mt. Baw Baw. 

Dave Blair assists Prof David Lindenmayer with his
research work in the Central Highlands forests.

Friends of Leadbeater's Possum organised a walk and talk led by David Blair, scientific researcher for Professor David Lindenmayer, world expert on Leadbeater's Possum.

Eric Wilkinson has many a tale to tell about rediscovering
Leadbeater's Possum, including the challenges of
photographing his discovery with old bulb flash technology.

It was wonderful to hear from Eric Wilkinson, who rediscovered the possum in on the 3rd April, 1961. Eric retold his tales of exploring the region in his Hillman Minx as a 22 year old and his amazement that he had seen a Leadbeater's Possum, at the time, thought to have been extinct.

David Blair led the group on a walk through both intact, burnt and severely burned forests and explained the importance of large old trees to this species and the many threats to this species including fire and logging.

People came from near and far to learn more about
the Central Highlands forests, home to Leadbeater's Possum.

Population estimates for Leadbeater's Possum prior to the 2009 bushfires were around 2,000-2,500 individuals, post-fire estimates are at around 800. Approximately 40-50% of their prime habitat was lost in the fires whilst what is left is often logged, the legislation in place to protect the species, weak, currently being contested in the MyEnvironment v VicForests Supreme Court Appeal.

Even as part of his judgement Justice Robert Osborn said, "MyEnvironment has demonstrated a strong case for the overall review of the adequacy of the reserve system intended to protect LBP habitat within the Central Highlands Forest Management Area. The [2009] bushfires have materially changed the circumstances in which the existing system was planned and implemented and there is, on the evidence, an urgent need to review it".

The future of Leadbeater's Possum is dire, a recent article in New Matilda highlights the proposed watering down of legislation to protect this species, the Victorian State government has since backed away from these changes, highlighted in a story in today's Age.

Back in September last year, Prof David Lindenmayer resigned from the Leadbeater's Recovery Team in protest over policies which he said was managing the species into extinction. At the time Prof Lindenmayer said he could no longer work with "the most environmentally bankrupt administration". You can read more about it in this Age article.     

In the state of Victoria Leadbeater’s Possum is listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 as threatened.

In Australia Leadbeater’s Possum is listed under the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 as endangered.

The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Animals 1994 lists Leadbeater’s Possum as endangered.

Logging of the Mountain Ash forests in the Central Highlands for woodchips (paper production) has resulted in the loss of vast areas of Leadbeater’s Possum habitat. Prof Lindenmayer says our forests are being overcut, so there'll be no habitat left for Leadbeater's Possum into the future.

The fragmentation of suitable habitat by timber harvesting causes isolated small populations of animals, who are then unable to reach other colonies for breeding.

Other events, such as bushfires, disease, drought (climate change) and collapsing old habitat trees are also threatening processes for Leadbeater’s Possum.

It is a crisis and we have to ask ourselves as Victorians, do we accept watching on as this species, our state emblem, teeters on the brink of extinction.

If you'd like to help Friends of Leadbeater's Possum in their efforts you can find out more about them here. My congratulations to the group, it was sobering to learn more about the perilous situation Leadbeater's Possum are in and I'll be doing my utmost to continue to highlight their plight.

 

 

ethical paper unpledged

report from the roundtable – 12 feb

At last night’s council meeting I moved a rescission motion in an attempt to convince councillors to maintain council’s support of the Ethical Paper Pledge. I was concerned that the complexities of the issue weren’t fully understood by my colleagues at our meeting of 11 December, 2012 where councillors voted to unsign the pledge and wanted an opportunity to present facts on the issue to my colleagues.

Yarra Ranges past Young Environmental Achiever of the Year, Jordan Crook, presented to council on the motion. He talked about the facts and the science and urged councillors to reinstate the support of the pledge. He spoke passionately about the science that shows clearfelling is not sustainable and how important it was to support workers and wildlife. He ended his presentation by urging councillors to “be leaders, don’t be led”.

In speaking to the rescission motion I talked about the significant role local government has to play as advocates, such an important role, that it is enshrined in the Local Government Act. I went on to talk about the expectation that we show leadership and signing the pledge is a public way to demonstrate that. I reiterated that when council first supported the pledge we received 56 emails in support in 2 days, unprecedented for local government, who generally don’t receive many letters of support.

Leadership is about doing what’s right and it was my view that the campaign around the controversy of signing the pledge was orchestrated by only a handful people. I also posed the question, how many jobs have been lost because we signed the pledge? None. I reminded councillors of our Vision, how strong environmental values featured in the vision because it’s important to our community.

In relation to VicForests I highlighted to councillors that it is my understanding that VicForests don’t want to move to Yarra Ranges and asked councillors what efforts they’d undertaken to ascertain if VicForests wanted to move. The VicForests move would see 30 city based people relocated, it’s not about new job creation, it’s about making those city based people commute out to Yarra Ranges. As a ‘government business enterprise’ it is the VicForests Board who makes decisions about where they move, not the Minister, they are not a government department, they are supposed to be autonomous from government.

I highlighted my concerns about state government interference, referring to the letter written to council by Minister Walsh. Council’s relationship is not in jeopardy from this. The community wants local government to make decisions in their own right, not with pressure from state government. It’s not necessary to play this political game of football and kowtowing to state government does not strengthen our relationship.

In relation to the last part of my argument around Forest Stewardship Council certification, I advised councillors that Australian Paper, makers of Reflex, lost their FSC certification because they source woodchip from high conservation forest, they log high conservation forest and I looked forward to a time when Australian made FSC certified paper will be available.

Cr Jason Callanan in speaking against the motion said he hasn’t changed his view and hasn’t seen any resounding facts to change his mind.

Cr Len Cox in speaking for the motion talked about the extraordinary overreaction from one small element of the community and state government over signing the Ethical Paper Pledge. He highlighted the ongoing losses sustained by VicForests with the bill footed by taxpayers. He talked about the forest before and after clearfelling and the importance of tourism as one of our biggest employers. He also talked about the importance of council being an independent thinker.

Cr Terry Avery spoke in support of the motion. He highlighted we are charged with protecting and enhancing the environment and unsigning the pledge made a mockery of that.

Cr Andy Witlox spoke against the motion. He said that he will continue to support local industry, a small industry with a long history, and wont boycott but support this local product.

Cr Fiona McAllister spoke against the motion, she reiterated she’d made her views clear in a letter to the paper, talked about a degree of confusion, and how the issue is dividing “her” community. She assured the meeting she was committed to looking after endangered species, however thought it was only appropriate for individuals and non government organisations to sign the pledge. She said she was astounded by valuable council time being used on this issue.

Cr Maria McCarthy said she supported Cr McAllister’s comments.

Cr Jim Child said he wouldn’t speak on the matter

Cr Noel Cliff spoke in support of the motion. He challenged Cr McAllister’s comments in relation to taking up “valuable council time” and said the importance of the issue meant we should take as much time as we need. He highlighted how critical the environment is, we live in it and it sustains us. If it takes up twice as much time to debate then he’s happy to take the time and we should take the time. He talked about children and their future and how he thought people with children would have thought looking after the environment was one of the most important issues into the future. He highlighted the dire state of the Leadbeaters Possum which we are succeeding in wiping off the planet. He’s not against the timber industry but against pulping and once again raised the issue of the loss of taxpayers’ dollars by VicForests and how important tourism is for our local economy.

In summing up I raised the issue of political agendas as it has been a recurrent theme in local media and social networking sites that the pledge has been a political and personal agenda of mine.

The original vote to sign the pledge was 8 councillors for and 1 against. Those councillors are from all persuasions, they’re certainly not Greens councillors.

I posed the question, If I’m running a personal or political agenda then why do I keep getting re-elected, an election is a good test of whether you are representing the community and as the councillor with the highest primary vote at the last election I’m clearly not running personal or political agendas.

What we have seen is a well orchestrated campaign by the Liberal/National party run through our local media and social networking sites.

At that point I referred to slides that had been presented by Cr McCarthy at the last meeting with some additional commentary added by me.

I reminded Cr Callanan of his election commitments to support a ‘great and beautiful environment’, I reminded Cr Wiltox of his statements about “protecting our environment”.

I held up a copy of The Age – A state of extinction. Our Leadbeaters Possum is at a critical point, before long it will be extinct.

I asked councillors if they care about
Climate change
Water security
Food security
Wildlife
Habitat
Intergenerational inheritance

It is our children, and Jordan (our submitter) who will be dealing with this mess, I urged councillors to be leaders, our community expects nothing less.

The motion was lost 4 votes for, 5 votes against.

For: Crs Samantha Dunn, Noel Cliff, Len Cox and Terry Avery
Against: Crs Fiona McAllister, Jason Callanan, Andy Witlox, Maria McCarthy and Jim Child.

burke, considering a visit?

I thought it timely on National Threatened Species Day to report back on Yarra Ranges' invitation to Minister Tony Burke.

Back in June council resolved to invite the Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, to visit Yarra Ranges to visit threatened habitat of the Leadbeaters Possum, Victoria's faunal emblem (see blog). It was terrific to learn that last week Murrundindi Council also resolved to invite Minister Burke down for a visit.

As a follow up to our invitation Yarra Ranges Council has been advised that the Compliance and Enforcement Branch of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (yes that's a big portfolio) is currently reviewing the documents produced during the MyEnvironment v VicForests court case (see blog) to determine whether logging operations have been, and are being, conducted in accordance with the Central Highlands Regional Forest Agreement.

I've also been advised that the federal Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will be initiating engagement with both the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and VicForests to discuss the forest management issues relating to Leadbeaters Possum.

The Minister advises that our invitation will be considered "in the light of his present and future commitments". I do hope the Minister does have the opportunity to visit, he himself can see the devastation being caused and the significant loss of habitat and biodiversity.

fundraiser for forests

community call for mt st leonard

samantha in the press - environment

Mt St Leonard logging: shire sends SOS to CanberraYarra Ranges Weekly
by Claire Thwaites
19 June 2012

you're invited tony

report from the roundtable - 12 Jun

At this week's council meeting I moved a motion (item 9.2) to invite the Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, to Yarra Ranges to visit the habitat of threatened species being impacted by logging.

The motion was carried, councillors voting for the motion were Crs Samantha Dunn, Len Cox, Jeanette McRae, Noel Cliff and Tim Heenan. Whilst Crs Graham Warren, Terry Avery, Chris Templer and Richard Higgins voted against the motion.

In speaking to the motion I talked about the recent court case of MyEnvironment v VicForests and the statement made by Justice Osborn where he recognised the the deficit in the reserve system given the 13 year drought and extreme bushfire events to hit the Central Highlands.

To quote Justice Osborn "MyEnvironment has demonstrated a strong case for the overall review of the adequacy of the reserve system intended to protect Leadbeater's Possum habitat within the Central Highlands Forest Management Area. The (2009) bushfires have materially changed the circumstances in which the existing system was planned and implemented and there is, on evidence, an urgent need to review it."

The Shire of Yarra Ranges prides itself on being home to three of Victoria's 4 state emblems, we proudly talk about our municipality in terms of it's importance to the cultural and environmental heritage of the state. (The Leadbeater's Possum is Victoria's state emblem)

It is of great concern to hear Professor David Lindenmayer, world expert on Leadbeater's Possum, talk about a population in collapse. In fact only recently the last three remaining Leadbeater's Possums were removed from Lake Mountain and taken to Healesville Sanctuary in an attempt to save the species. So what we have already at Lake Mountain is a local extinction. 

The Minister, Tony Burke, has powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999), should the Minister perceive a serious threat, a critical habitat may be registered for any nationally listed threatened species or ecological community and in my view there is certainly a serious threat to Leadbeater's Possum habitat. 

According to Prof Lindenmayer there will be no old trees left in the landscape by 2065, this is disastrous for the many hollow dependent fauna in our environment. According to research undertaken there's only 2000 hectares of forest left in the Central Highlands that hasn't been disturbed by logging or fire. That's 1.2% of intact forest left, the situation is critical. 

I think it is important that the Minister understand what is happening in the Central Highlands so he can determine if there's a role for him and the EPBC Act. 

In terms of the second part of my motion, that council write to the Federal Minister to detail our concerns about loss of Leadbeater's Possum habitat, there is ample recent information  to inform our submission. 

Most recently was our submission to the VicForests Timber Release Plan where council articulated its concerns around the protection of threatened species habitat and coupes adjacent to Special Protection Zones and the Leadbeater's Possum Permanent Reserve System. We also detailed concerns about the retention and long term protection of habitat elements for native fauna species and highlighted issues around fragmentation and habitat connectivity. 

We are a council who has long been concerned about our endangered species. The science is in, we have species in decline, whilst the threats to habitat still exist. The Minister needs to understand first hand what is happening across the landscape in Yarra Ranges and the Central Highlands. 

The motion received a majority vote of council. I certainly hope the Minister takes us up on our offer of a visit. 

samantha in the press - environment

Push to save forests
Mail Newspapers
by Mara Pattison-Sowden
10 May 2012

council submissions - container deposits & timber release plan

report from the roundtable - 24 apr

As part of council's committment to open and transparent governance we have started to report back via our formal meeting process submissions we have made.

This time round submissions for noting included our submission to:

1. The Standing Council on Environment and Water regarding Packaging Impacts Consultation Regulation Impact Statement
2. VicForests on proposed changes to the 2011-2016 timber release plan.

The first submission highlighted the benefits to Yarra Ranges Council of a Container Deposit Scheme to reduce waste to landfill and the associated costs to council. Yarra Ranges Council has long supported the concept of a Container Deposit Scheme as a way to reduce litter in the environment, reduce the cost of waste management, provide opportunities for community groups to raise income, better reuse resources, increase recycling rates and decrease waste to landfill.

The second submission (to VicForests) highlighted council's concerns, previously detailed in our submission last year (click here for details). They include issues around logging in water catchments, impacts on local tourism and economy, impacts on the environment, quality of ecological assessments, retention of habitat trees, protection of threatened species habitat and regeneration of logged coupes. It is worth noting no changes were made in relation to any submissions made by stakeholders last time round, I suspect it will be the same outcome this time round.

If you'd like to look at either of council's submissions click here for a copy.