Following a storm of criticism of DELWP's draft revision of the Code of Forest Practice, Minister D'Ambrosio has today (23 Sept) announced the abandonment of the Stage 1 review. RFPG warmly appreciates Minister D'Ambrosio's very sensible decision.
A combination of fire and intensive clearfell logging since 1980, and particularly since 2000, has created a predominantly young forest throughout the ash forests of the Central Forest Management Area.
The RFPG Annual Report for 2018-19 is now available for download. The report recalls the goals of the Group and the Threats which the Rubicon Forest is facing. The report reviews the broad strategy which the Group has adopted and reviews activities for 2018-19 in relation to that broad strategy.
New data released today reveal the looming threat to biodiversity in Victoria's state forests.
The recent IPBES report regarding the accelerating rates of species extinction sets the context for this research.
Following its thumbs down rating in the 2018 Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) audit, VicForests has embarked on a 'targeted program to address issues raised in the report and prepare for a further evaluation against FSC Controlled Wood standard in 2020' - its FSC2020 project.
In its submission to the RFA Modernisation Consultation the RFPG is sharply critical of the Independent Consultation Paper; argues strongly against the renewal of the RFAs; and outlines a range of priority policy intiatives to arrest the degradation of Victoria's state forests which could be included in a 'modernised' RFA but should be progressed regardless.
In early 2019 Victorian forest policy is in flux. A range of separate but linked initiatives and processes are in train and established policies and regulatory frameworks are open for reform. The direction that such reform might take will depend, in part, on the continued drive of the forest conservation movement.
VicForests plans to commence logging on the southwestern slopes of Mt Bullfight as early as November 2018. This group of coupes is only 2km from the northern end of the Lake Mountain part of the Yarra Ranges National Park and will wreck the middleground views from Panorama Lookout and the Boundary Hut run for years to come. (See views from Panorama Lookout.)
This new video, assembled by Nick Legge (October 2018), uses photographs old and new, landsat images and grahics based on VicForests harvesting data to show the intensification of logging (beyond Unsustainable!) in the Rubicon State Forest since the 2009 fires.
