By Callum Ludwig
Environmental groups statewide carried out large action on Saturday 20 May ahead of the Timber Harvesting Safety Zones amendment that is coming into place.
Citizen scientists were in Toolangi and Powelltown over the weekend surveying for protected flora and fauna.
Committee Member of Kinglake Friends of the Forest Aawa White was at the surveys in Toolangi and Powelltown and said the new laws are going to really impact the ability of citizen scientists to go out and conduct surveys in areas of forest scheduled for logging.
“We make sure that if there are threatened species there, they’re adequately protected and buffered from logging operations.
“We’ve all tried to coordinate to conduct surveys in our area, inviting some volunteers to come out and see the forest as well as push back against what we see as laws designed to suppress the community’s ability to keep an eye on what is being done and advocate for our forests.”
The Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022 will mean that protesters who illegally enter timber harvesting zones and dangerously interfere with workers or their machinery will face maximum fines of more than $21,000 or 12-months imprisonment.
Ms White said it’s not just individual species endangered by logging.
“These ecosystems themselves are on the brink, we’re devastated that logging continues despite us knowing these forests are precious and really struggling to get by,” she said.
“The forest ecosystem is being drastically weakened and compromised by this widespread landscape-scale logging.”
At least 180 attendees are expected at five sites in Victoria.
Ms White said there was a day and night survey in Toolangi and a day survey in Powelltown run by Warburton Environment.
“The Powelltown survey is focused on looking for the endangered understory plant the Tree Geebung, which can often get crushed during logging if it isn’t surveyed for,” she said.
“In Toolangi, the day survey will focus on flora, which is not just the trees but the understory as well, and we’ve got a night survey where we’ll be focusing on Greater Gliders, Yellow Belly Gliders and Leadbeater’s Possums.”
In total, 45 people attended the Toolamngi surveys, with seven attending both and 12 attended the Powelltown survey.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said every Victorian is entitled to a safe workplace.
“These changes aim to deter dangerous behaviour in potentially dangerous working zones by increasing penalties for already existing offences. Many Timber Harvesting Safety Zones currently in place to safeguard workers and the public are where recovery operations continue following storm and bushfire damage,” they said.
“With timber harvesting disrupted by court action, the Government is providing significant support to timber workers. These impacted workers and their families are at the front of our minds.”
