Response to Herald Sun Editorial

OTWAYS LOGGING

The editorial (19/4/01) asserts loggers in the Otways can cut down trees as long as the logging is legal. In December 1998 eleven Otway conservationist who were charged for obstructing logging operations at Wild Dog Ridge in February 1997, had their charges dropped because the Geelong Magistrates Court found the logging authorised by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to be unlawful.

Conservationist in the Otways maintain that logging at Ciancio creek is unlawful because it will breach requirements in the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act to protect rainforest from the die back disease called Myrtle Wilt. It is expected that the 18 conservationists charged by DNRE in the last week will have their charges dropped when it goes before the Magistrate’s Court later this year.

It is the democratic right of conservationists to protest against logging authorised by Sherryl Garbutt. In December 1996, opposition environment spokesperson Garbutt stated in Parliament that protective buffers of up to 350 metres are needed around rainforest. As Minister, Garbutt has done a complete back-flip and is offering no protection for the rainforest from Myrtle Wilt.

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