Photo by Trevor Poulton (2001) of Fort Goolengook
GOOLENGOOK STIRS NEW FOREST REVOLT FOR GOVERNMENT (23/4/2002)
Environmental groups and minor political parties have reacted swiftly to reports that the State Government intends to resume logging in Goolengook Forest in East Gippsland in August after public condemnation over recent logging of four coupes in the forest block.
The State government last month broke a four year suspension on logging the forest block at the time of publicly releasing its new forest policy Our Forests Our Future which revealed that Victoria has been excessively over logged under the Regional Forest Agreements.
A broad range of environmental and community groups including ACF, Victorian National Parks Association and Humane Society International and Australian Democrats and the Greens Party and an informal ALP lobby group have endorsed a common position statement demanding that the Brack’s Government immediately integrates Goolengook Upper Catchment into the Errinundra National Park.
According to Save Goolengook (Melbourne Desk) spokesperson Nicky Moffat, “Goolengook Forest represents one of the largest old-growth forest stands in a single headwater catchment in Victoria. The forest also contains many sites of national significance and threatened plant and animal species. It can only be protected environmentally by integrating it into the adjoining National Park. Further logging will destroy any potential for this to happen and that appears to be the Government’s agenda.”
Ms Moffat questioned recent actions of the Government which involved police excluding the media, including Channel 9 & 10 from up to 30 km away from coupes being logged in Goolengook and the arrest of over 70 protesters. “This is contrary to the ALP’s own pledge when it was elected, to repeal forest management regulations that hide logging operations from the public.”
Members of the ALP have also been quick to respond. According to Trevor Poulton, spokesperson for ALP ORIG, an informal lobby group within the ALP, “We support the proposal. We will be taking this issue to the ALP State Conference in four weeks time. The Government chose not to consult with ALP Policy Committees or community groups over the future of Goolengook. Premier Brack’s has shown a lack of conviction when it comes to responsible forest management. Party members are becoming disillusioned with the Government’s attempt to characterise native State forests as basically a resource for woodchips and sawlogs.”
Mr Poulton said, “The ALP will determine its own policy for Goolengook at the May ALP State Conference because of the Government’s intractable position. We will be calling for an independent inquiry into the National Park proposal.”
“The Government is pandering to the financial interests of larger mill proprietors with investments in woodchipping and logging-truck contractors, at the expense of community values. This is destroying our ancient forests as well as undermining the tourism industry and the potential for long-term jobs in regional Victoria.”
ATTACHED IS COMMON POSITION PREPARED BY SAVE GOOLENGOOK iN and LETTER SEEKING ENDORSEMENT
Nicky Moffat - Save Goolengook Inc (Melbourne Desk)
Trevor Poulton - Save Goolengook Inc (Melbourne Desk) + ALP
GOOLENGOOK STIRS NEW FOREST REVOLT FOR GOVERNMENT (23/4/2002)
Environmental groups and minor political parties have reacted swiftly to reports that the State Government intends to resume logging in Goolengook Forest in East Gippsland in August after public condemnation over recent logging of four coupes in the forest block.
The State government last month broke a four year suspension on logging the forest block at the time of publicly releasing its new forest policy Our Forests Our Future which revealed that Victoria has been excessively over logged under the Regional Forest Agreements.
A broad range of environmental and community groups including ACF, Victorian National Parks Association and Humane Society International and Australian Democrats and the Greens Party and an informal ALP lobby group have endorsed a common position statement demanding that the Brack’s Government immediately integrates Goolengook Upper Catchment into the Errinundra National Park.
According to Save Goolengook (Melbourne Desk) spokesperson Nicky Moffat, “Goolengook Forest represents one of the largest old-growth forest stands in a single headwater catchment in Victoria. The forest also contains many sites of national significance and threatened plant and animal species. It can only be protected environmentally by integrating it into the adjoining National Park. Further logging will destroy any potential for this to happen and that appears to be the Government’s agenda.”
Ms Moffat questioned recent actions of the Government which involved police excluding the media, including Channel 9 & 10 from up to 30 km away from coupes being logged in Goolengook and the arrest of over 70 protesters. “This is contrary to the ALP’s own pledge when it was elected, to repeal forest management regulations that hide logging operations from the public.”
Members of the ALP have also been quick to respond. According to Trevor Poulton, spokesperson for ALP ORIG, an informal lobby group within the ALP, “We support the proposal. We will be taking this issue to the ALP State Conference in four weeks time. The Government chose not to consult with ALP Policy Committees or community groups over the future of Goolengook. Premier Brack’s has shown a lack of conviction when it comes to responsible forest management. Party members are becoming disillusioned with the Government’s attempt to characterise native State forests as basically a resource for woodchips and sawlogs.”
Mr Poulton said, “The ALP will determine its own policy for Goolengook at the May ALP State Conference because of the Government’s intractable position. We will be calling for an independent inquiry into the National Park proposal.”
“The Government is pandering to the financial interests of larger mill proprietors with investments in woodchipping and logging-truck contractors, at the expense of community values. This is destroying our ancient forests as well as undermining the tourism industry and the potential for long-term jobs in regional Victoria.”
ATTACHED IS COMMON POSITION PREPARED BY SAVE GOOLENGOOK iN and LETTER SEEKING ENDORSEMENT
Nicky Moffat - Save Goolengook Inc (Melbourne Desk)
Trevor Poulton - Save Goolengook Inc (Melbourne Desk) + ALP
| saving_goolengook_[_love_song].mp3 |
