OREN has developed overlays for use with Google Earth to expose the impacts of native logging across southern Australia. More infoSee VEAC map of new Great Otway National Park. |
Otway native forests "woodchip free" since 2008Clearfell logging and woodchipping of all native forest on public land in the Otways is now banned and illegal. After a seven year community campaign driven by the Otway Ranges Environment Network (OREN 1995 - 2002) followed by a six year phase out period (2002-2008), the last truck load of trees for export woodchips was removed in May 2008. After the November 2002 Victorian State election, priority was given to immediately ban clearfell logging in the Geelong water supply catchments and high conservation forests on the south face of the Otways. Before 2002, clearfell logging for woodchips was planned to occur across all the Otways under a Regional Forest Agreement until at least the year 2020. A total ban on Otway woodchipping is unprecedented. The Otways represents the only high rainfall tall forest region in Australia, where an existing and well established native forest woodchip industry for both the domestic (to make Kleenex tissues) and export markets has been totally removed. See "Overview OREN/Otway forest campaign (1995-2008)". Introduction to the Otway forests
The Cumberland River catchment pictured above is the last truly wild river in the Otways. It is unbelievable that the natural landscape values that produce this pure clear natural river water, were until recently, threatened by clearfell logging for woodchips in the forested headwaters.
Fortunately, such management was challenged by the community. Inspired local residents and conservationists campaigned against clearfell logging so the nature conservation values of the Otways could be preserved for all time.
New Management Plans for the OtwaysThe State government is going to develop new management plans for the Otways to accommodate the land use changes that have occurred with the creation of the Great Otway National Park(103,000 ha) and Otway Forest Park(39,000 ha). The community will be invited to comment on draft management plans soon to be released. OREN will take an active role in the process and provide information on this website when it comes available.
Featured sections of OREN websiteFire and Logging No logging in the Otway forest Forestry fails in the Otways BOOK AN OREN SPEAKER Looking around the OREN websiteThe menu bar above has the four categories: OREN - all about the Otway Ranges Environment Network, including latest news, events, membership, donations and helping out. Forest Issues - all about the issues of the Otway Forests, including how water is lost through logging, endangered species, biodiversity, forest tourism, forest management and forest fires. Logging - all about native forest logging in the Otways. Including why logging loses money for the public, what is clearfell logging, where the logging is, who logs the forest, and an explanation of how much of the forest is woodchipped. Campaigns - all about the various parts of the campaign to stop clearfell logging in the Otways. Includes an explanation of values of particular areas, the political situation, ending logging, and what you can do. Other - what's new, links to other sites, photos and maps of the Otways, a page for students, and a glossary of terms.
OREN would like to thank the Conservation Alliance for their support. The Conservation Alliance is an alliance of fifteen outdoor companies which contribute a portion of their turnover to support conservation projects. hosting by Web Necessities - Web Hosting in Melbourne |
News March 2010 Feb 2010. Jan 2010 Dec 2009. Nov 2009. Tue 9 Sept 2009. Mon 8 Sept 2009. 12 August 2009 17 July 2009 15 July 2009 10 March 2009 Wed 18 Feb 2009. Tuesday 17 Feb 2009. Monday 30 June 2008. Monday 2 June 2008 Saturday 3 May 2008 Summer 07/08 25th Nov 2006 Japan's Nippon Paper hypocritical on Otway forest logging. Geelong Council planning permit reminds Midway to avoid Otway woodchip.
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