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Otway Forest Issues

The Otway forest is very valuable: being rich in biodiversity, as water catchments for more than 300 000 people, and as a popular tourism destination. Unfortunately management of the forest by Forestry Victoria focuses on logging, to the detriment of the other values.

This section of the website focuses on forest management and the non-logging values of the Otways. If you are interested in knowing more about logging in the Otways, see the logging section in the menu above.

Water
Tourism
Endangered species
Nature conservation and biodiversity
Rainforest
Forest Management
Fire

Water	Logging in the Otways dramatically reduces the amount of water available to region. For example, if logging was stopped in Warrnambool's water catchment, the water runoff would increase by 28% in ?? years. ?? for Geelong. The economic value of water lost because of logging, is worth ?? more than the revenue to the Government from logging. Logging and logging roads also effect the water quality of creeks and rivers. More info Logging roads increase the risk of landslides which have had a devastating impact on water quality. More info
Tourism	Tourism in the region is huge industry, employing thousands of people. Despite the Government's own recommendations to develop tourism in the Otways (the Great Ocean Road hinterland), they continue to log the forest. Logging of forest degrades the beauty of the Otways and destroys scenic forest that has the potential to be used in the booming forest tourism industry. When the Government logs, it ignores its own prescriptions to preserve scenic quality.
Endangered species	There are many endangered and threatened species and vegetation communities in the Otway forest, including the tiger quoll (or spot-tailed quoll), slender tree fern, and cool temperate rainforest. The Government is failing to properly protect these species and communities from logging.
Biodiversity and Nature Conservation	Biodiversity Government processes fail to protect biodiversity Impacts of Clearfell Logging on biodiversity Otway Reserve System Otway Old Growth Forest Endangered species and threatening processes Rainforest Otway Cool Temperate Rainforest Myrtle Wilt Rainforest Sites of Significance National Estate What is National Estate? Failure to properly assess National Estate Values Case Study: The Lake Elizabeth Area of National Estate Aire River - The values of the Aire River are acknowledged, through the listing of the river under the Heritage Rivers Act. Natural landscapes ??? Scenic quality - the beauty of the Otways is under threat. Endangered species - Government is failing to protect endangered species.
Rainforest	Otway Cool Temperate Rainforest Description and location of rainforest throughout the Otways. Myrtle Wilt A disease promoted by clearfell logging that threatens Otway rainforest. Rainforest Sites of Significance Areas of rainforest in the Otways that are of national, state and regional significance.
Forest Management	Management of the forests in the Otways, and how it is failing to protect the values of the Otways. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act Otway Forest Management Plan West Regional Forest Agreement Sustainable Yield Review (the Jerry Vanclay report) Code of Forest Practices Legislation??
Fire	Logging increases the risk of fire in the Otways, by drying out forest. Fires are often caused directly by logging, particularly the practice of burning areas that have been logged.

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