8 December, 2014
Cable logging trial threatens vital wildlife habitat on the North Coast
The Nature Conservation Council is calling on NSW Government to abandon plans to trial cable logging on steep slopes on the North Coast because of the devastating impact it would have on the region’s native species and water quality in streams and rivers.
“Logging on slopes over 30 degrees was abandoned years ago and must not be allowed to return to our forests - the environmental costs are simply too high,” NCC CEO Kate Smolski said.
“In the Upper Bellinger Valley, 80,000 tonnes of soil washed into the river during as single logging operation on steep slopes in the early 1990s.
“As a result of the community outcry and a damning Land and Environment Court judgment, State Forests were subsequently required to prepare environmental impacts statements before logging, and steep lands were effectively removed from forestry operations.
“Now, quite incredibly, the Forestry Corporation is preparing to pillage steeply sloping forests in this region once again, this time a controversial and costly technique called cable logging.” [1]
Ms Smolski said environment groups on the North Coast were deeply opposed to the trial because of the risks it posed to large, forest-dependent fauna, many of them threatened species, including powerful owls and yellow-bellied gliders.
“These areas are currently in very good condition, with lots of mature trees that contain hollows that are essential as nesting sites for many species,” Ms Smolski said.
“These precious areas must not be destroyed for short-term financial gain.”
The region’s struggling koala population, which is under intense pressure from habitat fragmentation, disease, and inbreeding, would be further threatened by this proposal.
“Sightings and other records show koalas use these steeply sloping forest areas for feeding and as corridors between colonies, which allows separate populations to mingle and avoid inbreeding,” she said.
“We are calling on the Baird Government to abandon this reckless plan, and for all candidates standing for seats on the North Coast in next year’s state election to declare where they stand.”
Ms Smolski is in the Coffs Harbour, Grafton, and Northern Tablelands regions this week inspecting habitat restoration and rehabilitation projects that are being coordinated by the NCC, including one that seeks to bring the North Coast Emu back from the brink of extinction by improving conditions in the Upper Cold Stream catchment near Grafton.
[1] www.epa.nsw.gov.au/forestagreements/coastIFOAsHarvestingTrial.htm
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