Local residents together with WOTCH citizen scientists, recently discovered a high density of Greater Gliders in the mixed eucalypt forest about to be logged, just upstream of the popular Snobs Creek waterfall and rapids, and Victoria’s most important fish hatchery.

Snobs Creek fish hatchery produces a variety of fish for release throughout Victoria for recreational fishing. However, its continued operations depend on the purity of water, natural water flow and temperature of Snobs Creek.

Four wheel drive enthusiasts, Prue and John Hasler frequently lead trips of various 4WD clubs into Rubicon State Forest. Prue says “the Rubicon forests and Snob’s Creek waterfall are some of our favourite places to take other 4WD club members on day and weekend trips from Melbourne. We are disappointed to learn that this beautiful forest and its magical bird sounds will soon be gone.”

Ken Deacon, Convenor of the Rubicon Forest Protection Group, explains “this is one of the most popular areas within Murrindindi Shire. Locals and visitors alike enjoy spending time at the Snobs Creek waterfall, visiting the fish hatchery, fishing in Snobs Creek and bushwalking, cycling, horseriding, motorcycling and driving through
the Rubicon State Forest.

“It is unbelievable that VicForests hasn’t complied with its legal requirements to assess all forest values before even planning to log these forests, especially threatened species like the remarkable greater glider and also, the implications for the fish hatchery and valuable tourism industry. Most distressing is that VicForests has completely disregarded our previously expressed concerns about the significance of the Snob’s Creek forests.”

“Instead of being a mecca for tourism, recreation, sightseeing and in  articular, their rich biodiversity, the magnificent mountain forests of Rubicon State Forest are being changed forever. They are rapidly becoming silent, denuded wastelands of eroding hillsides, silted rivers and rampant blackberries, with regrown logging coupes essentially monocultures of eucalypts or wattles. Sadly, this widespread destruction
is mostly for paper!” Mr Deacon said.

RFPG Media Release 12 Feb 2018