Proposed TRP Amendment - Toolangi Resident -Bernie Mace Submission

Submission To VicForests regarding Timber Release Plan Amendments

To the Board of Directors,

Vicforests

We are very concerned to learn that VicForests is applying for an increase of 148 new coupes in Central Highlands logging coupe allocations under the Timber Release Plan TRP 2010-1.

1 - The Central Highlands was hard hit by the Black Saturday and subsequent fires last year, leaving relatively small areas of unburned forest to continue growing toward mature ecosystems. These precious remnants of the original forest are vital refuges for native animals fortunate enough to have survived the fires. Some of these are highly threatened species such as Leadbeater's Possum, Greater Glider, Sooty Owl and Powerful Owl, to say nothing of the many less exotic native creatures, and the important vegetation communities that are represented. Obviously the responsible decision would be to protect these refuge areas, and give nature a chance to recover, rather than log them to support VicForests economic objectives - by selling the woodchips to Japan.

The Central Highlands has been logged to excess for many years, and this action has radically changed the environment from a natural mixed age/species forest system, to a monoculture of regrowth saplings. This young regrowth forest, being practically devoid of tree hollows and the natural complexity of understorey vegetation, is effectively sterile, when compared to an ecologically mature forest system that provides appropriate breeding and refuge habitat for the complex of fauna that is naturally found in this region (2).

The proposed increase in coupe allocations, in an already highly stressed environment following widespread burning in the February 2009 bushfires, and subsequent heavy salvage logging (against the advice of forest scientists (1), would aggravate the destructive processes and trauma to the Central Highlands State Forest (publicly owned) system. When I undertook the task of finding the locations of many of the new coupes, I realized that most were located adjacent to currently planned logging operations, and/or adjacent to coupes that have been logged in the recent past. This careful and deliberate process of selection, increases the collective area of logged terrain (coupes) in multiples of two, three or more, progressively removes remnant unlogged areas, and thus deprives the regional environment of the mature forest that signifies the true vegetated character of the region.

2 - I was alarmed to see that two coupes are planned for the north-east side of Myers Creek Rd between Monda Track and approximately opposite Strathvea Guesthouse (see attached file –VicForests Toolangi Coupes 2.pdf, Fig 3). Myers Creek valley is a classical sheltered 'wet forest environment', and as such survived the February fires that crept through much of the area as a slow moving, low intensity burn - without the loss of a single house. The height of the established trees is such that 'crowning' (flames burning at canopy level) was rarely a problem, and the landform sheltered the burning bush from the worst of the winds that in other, more exposed areas, whipped the fire into a frenzy. It is interesting to note that in the younger areas of the forest (closer to Healesville) the fire was more aggressive than in the older growth near the head of the creek. In fact the fires petered out on the transition to the oldest forest at the top end of Myers Creek Reserve. Logging large areas of the forested headwaters of Myers Creek will change for the next 50+ years the 'wet forest status' of the valley and result in a more fire-prone environment, increasing the likelihood of future catastrophic fire events (see references attached). This at a time when global warming is exacerbating our regional environmental problems.

3 - Myers Creek valley is a discrete catchment, that has achieved the enviable record of maintaining a continuously flowing creek through the 11 year drought period, while many others (such as Chum Creek) have periodically dried up. This relates to the extent and continuity of the maturing forest on both sides of the valley, and the fact that at the head of the creek, there is an 'old growth' region that sustains a rich diversity of animals and plants, including huge old Mountain Ash trees. This reliable stream flow provides the main water source to local residents, accommodation businesses and agriculture. We all receive regular updates about stream flow and restrictions. If clear-felling is carried out as per the VicForest plans, on the adjoining forest located on the slopes of Mt St.Leonard, it will alter the hydrology of the headwaters region of the valley and risk jeopardising the natural balance that is providing a continuous and reliable flow in Myers Creek (see attached - City counts cost of logging )

http://www.earthgarden.com.au/portal/readarticle.php?article_id=35 . Logging adjacent to streams is a well known cause of siltation, that adversely effects stream life and water quality.

Note: Clear-felling of the south face of Mt Riddell in the late ‘70s, was carried out by the Forests Commission and Melbourne Water, allegedly to test the theory that additional water yield would be the result. The reverse was true, and it not only caused major siltation problems in the catchment, but also seriously reduced run-off, and provoked a large amount of community protest over the ‘eyesore on the mount’ they were forced to live with thereafter (it is just healing now). The Mt St Leonard coupes would prove to be a similar, if not worse, catastrophe.

4 - Myers Creek valley is a well known landslip area, and as residents we have all received notification of the dangers in relation to earthworks and buildings, particularly on the steeper slopes. We personally recall the description by the late John McVea of the massive landslip that occurred decades ago following heavy rain in an area that had been logged following the 1939 fires. The ground became saturated, and without the anchoring effect of mature tree root systems, it slipped dramatically blocking Myers Creek Rd and damming the creek, opposite Strathvea's driveway (see attached image from DPI ref below). If logging is carried out by VicForests, there is reason to expect another massive landslip as a possible future outcome. The danger to people (eg. traffic) and the environment is obvious and must be avoided.
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/36ff1eef35fb658dca2567710003f883/c3dab0bc2ae36567ca2574c8002ccb67/$FILE/EROSION_VICTORIA_appendixland%20(4).pdf

5 - Excessive logging at the expense of the natural ecosystem values of the central highlands, has altered the vegetated character of the region (progressively removing the oldest and largest trees), contributing to climatic change and the susceptibility to increasing risk of catastrophic bushfires of the nature of the Black Saturday events. Scientists have reached the conclusion that the value of these forests lies more in their ability to store huge amounts of carbon, than in the timber yield that is inefficiently derived from current logging practices (see attached - http://news.theage.com.au/national/trees-will-fight-climate-change-report-20080805-3q1n.html ). It is also clear from the increasing wealth of scientific data, that forests modulate the local and regional climate (3), and that older, more mature forest ecosystems are superior to the young (regrowth after logging) as air conditioners. Local climate is a component of regional climate, just as surely as regional climate is a component of global climate. Consequently protecting the forested environment in our region, is a positive contribution to global climate problems.

6 - The south west face of Mt St.Leonard can be seen from many parts of the Yarra Valley, and from the main street of Healesville, as a central focus to the backdrop of this beautiful area. Why should this be jeopardised by the ugly scarring of a logging coup for decades to come. There is a clear felled coup on the north side of Monda Track, half way up Mt St Leonard, that is visible to tourists from Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Glen and many other approaches to Healesville. This not only affects the tourist potential of the area, it also reduces run-off to the Yea River. Similarly, every readily visible logging coup in the region adversely affects tourism potential and water yield. Perhaps we should be having a value placed on our scenic assets, and send VicForests the account for losses.

Personally, I am deeply moved by the natural beauty that remains in quiet moments, despite the tourist traffic, in Myers Creek valley and other of the more intact remnants of the Central highlands. It saddens and disturbs me that VicForests continues to use such destructive processes as clear-felling, and fails to moderate its consumption of the forest system for minor economic gain. I feel a duty to protect what we have left, and improve the state of the environment for all the native wildlife, and humanity (particularly those who care). For depth of feeling and caring I turn to C.J.Dennis for the final word…

CJ Dennis:

The Singing Garden – The Quiet Hour

“As the gloaming deepens, there descends upon this scene a mantle of peace so profound that it is past explaining - a feeling of content so deep, of such calm and unquestioning acceptance of all things, that it seems to hold some quality of mystery that 'twould be folly to explore. Out of the brooding forest, the darkening sky, the last goings and comings of birds, the little whispered calls and secret songs and rustlings, there steals to one a sense of infinite well-being, definite and real enough while the mind accepts it without question; yet so impalpable as to vanish utterly the moment it becomes a problem for curious enquiry.”

“In such a pleasant place I have lived and worked for nearly thirty years; and, if I have succeeded in conveying to readers something of the joys and (for the sake of truth) of the rare tragedies of this forest place, then the whole of my task has been done, for I set out to do no more than that.”

Sincerely,

Bernard Mace.

References:

1 Lindenmayer et al., Salvage Logging and its Ecological Consequences. CSIRO Pub.

2 Tom Griffiths, Forests of Ash, (PP 102-114 The Theatre of Nature) Cambridge Un Pr.

3 Mackey, Lindenmayer, Gill, McCarthy & Lindsay, Wildlife, Fire and Future Climate

CSIRO Publishing