By JESSE GRAHAM
VICFORESTS has moved to calm concerns about a Toolangi coupe that was removed from its Timber Release Plan (TRP) – only to be added in under a different name.
The coupe, which was named 297-505-0003, was removed under the logging body’s latest TRP, but added back in under the name 297-521-0001 with the same boundary.
Concerns were expressed by Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum member Steve Meacher who said the coupe is currently home to the endangered species.
In a letter to the Leadbeater’s possum group, Mr Meacher said the only change to the coupe was the address.
However, VicForests General Manager of Stakeholder and Planning Nathan Trushell said that the re-submission of the coupe was correcting an administrative error.
“It was simply the case that this coupe’s boundary was incorrectly mapped and needed to be amended,” he said.
“The administrative process to correct this mapping error required the coupe to be removed from the TRP, and then re-added.
“This resulted in a new coupe identification number and new boundary.”
Mr Trushell said that all coupes listed in the TRP will be harvested in line with the recently-released Leadbeater’s Possum Advisory Group (LPAG) recommendations.
One of the key recommendations was the doubling of the current logging buffer zones when a possum colony is identified to 200 metres.
Mr Meacher, along with world expert on the Leadbeater’s possum David Lindenmayer, said the buffer zone would not provide enough protection for colonies to flourish in the long term.
The TRP outlines 28 new logging coupes in Toolangi, 13 in Powelltown, 22 in Noojee and 30 in Marysville.
VicForests’ TRP is open for public consultation until Friday 6 June.
For more information, or to view the TRP and comment, visit www.vicforests.com.au/proposed-timber-release-plan.
