Recent information from our friends in WOTCH (Wildlife of the Central Highlands) suggests that VicForests propose to log sections of the Tallarook State Forest in the near future. A map of the area, as we understand it, is attached below.

BEAM is alarmed at this proposition on a number of fronts

• VicForests has a shameful record in forest management, failing to meet FSC standards consistently.  [Bunnings recently banned the sales of VicForest timber for this reason];
• Logging native forests may well cease by 2030, so this appears a “6 o’clock swill” effort to cull as much forest as possible, unnecessarily;
• The quality of the forest trees as timber in the Tallarook State Forest is poor. The forest generally is not of saw log size, so clear felling may well produce wood for pulp only. Are we to accept the clear-felling of the Tallarook Forest, and all of its non-forestry values, for just paper pulp? Seriously, when existing forest areas are so valuable in carbon draw down, and Victoria prides itself on its climate change action commitments?
• VicForests got an $18million grant last year to clean up its act, and only returned a $2million profit as we understand. If this was a private business not subsidised by the taxpayer, it would have folded years ago. Victoria can’t afford to be propping up a “basket case business” like this when so many decent businesses must remain closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It doesn’t stack up. VicForests is a decades-old festering sore that continues as an environmental flashpoint across this State.
• The small tree size and consequent low timber value must be weighed against the benefits of a standing forest– habitat for wildlife in the air and on the ground, carbon draw down, educational value and recreational value. This is a popular forest for walking, camping, cycling (with or without engines) and hunting. A clear-felled area provides none of these.
• The Tallarook State Forest contains several threatened species listed in the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas, including the vulnerable Powerful Owl and Southern Greater Glider. In this time of extinction crisis, it is likely that the Forest contains many other species not yet recorded in the forest or listed as threatened. This north-west island of mountain forest is a significant link for species moving between the plains and the Great Dividing Range.
• There are important jobs in the timber industry. The jobs in plantation timber are secure. The jobs in native forest logging, however, are comparatively few and disappearing, but there are  a lot of jobs in recreational tourism threatened when native forests are diminished.

BEAM calls on all of our respected local members, to intervene and stop this proposed logging.

Even if there were no endangered species in the forest, the standing forest has far more value than subsidised clear-felling and the environmental disaster that ensues for so many years.    Mitchell Shire could better use the funds that subsidise VicForests in the destruction of our forests for a financial loss. As a triple bottom line analysis, the demand that we must make post-Covid, this proposal is a loss on all three accounts.

It should NOT proceed, and we ask for their active support to save our forests.

Peter Lockyer, President

Aerial photo showing the proposed logging coupes (outlined in red) in the headwaters of Trawool Reservoir.

Close-up photo of Trawool Reservoir showing previous logging coupes to the west of the reservoir

Feeling like a challenge in challenging times?            C’mon, seize the day              and                             RATTLE YOUR PEN, or at least the keyboard.

Write to your Federal member for Nicholls…. Damian Drum MP

And enlighten him on your views about how we might emerge stronger from Covid-19

The BEAM president did on June 8….complete with a forwarded email from Helen Haines (Indi MP) about the Community Energy Plan that she is building for regional Australia, with broad community input (see below).

Damian and staff,

THIS is the type of action and direction that has appeal for the challenges for rural and regional Australia.

THIS is an opportunity for the Nationals to join the 21st century and the post Covid opportunities that can excite about the future.

THIS is an approach for Nicholls electorate that I would like to see.

Whats to stop you, Damian, talking with Helen Haines and building some momentum on this. We need a different type of economy that responds to our environmental challenges, too often understated, and a net-zero carbon future.

I’d like a reply please.

regards

Peter Lockyer

president BEAM Mitchell Environment Group.

And Damian did reply

Drum, Damian (MP)                                                              Tue, 7 Jul, 13:04

Peter

To be perfectly blunt, we have enough people pushing for renewables. You don’t need help from me, given that Australia is already leading the way with rooftop solar in a way no other country can compare with per capita.

If Helen has the time to hold community meetings about a plan, that’s great, I hope the plan she develops fits in with the Governments plans, otherwise her time will have been wasted.

Anyway, I am rapt that so much renewable power is being built in Australia and in Nicholls and also rapt with our recent report card on achieving our Paris emissions commitment.

Thanks

Damian

Damian Drum MP
Federal Member for Nicholls and Nationals Chief Whip
damian.drum.mp@aph.gov.au

But Damian’s response raises more questions than answers.  

Does he speak for you?

Is rooftop solar the limit to Drum’s interest in renewables? What about big wind and solar and batteries and a power future beyond coal? Damian Drum is distracted by gas (as he told PL on the phone), and he toes the party line. Is this good enough? What do you think?

Helen Haines “plan” for Community Energy must fit with the Government plans? Well, the Federal Government has NO energy policy, let alone policy on Community Energy and the value to regional communities of community-owned power. Helen Haines may indeed “write” the Federal policy! What about Policy over Politics, and team up with the neighbouring member in a bi-partisan spirit? There is so much potential here, but our Federal member shows disdain towards Independents (who are a real threat to The Nationals holding their seats. Any wonder why?) and can’t pick up the phone to build a partnership for regional Australia in the renewables, with jobs and investment at stake.

Will the Federal Government meet our Paris Emissions?  The Federal Government has a paltry 26-28% emissions reduction on 2005 figures as its target for 2030 in the Paris Agreement.                        In contrast, most Australian States have targets around 50% reductions by 2030, irrespective of their political stripes.

Brad Giblin is in Nicholls and he responded to this point of Damian Drum’s rapt with our scorecard

“Far from enough…

In the 2020 edition of the Sustainable Development Report, Australia’s score for “climate action” saw it rank second last, sitting 176th of 177 countries assessed, with oil and gas heavy Brunei the only country that received a worse score.”

https://reneweconomy.com.au/australia-ranks-second-worst-in-world-on-climate-action-outside-top-50-on-clean-energy-90879/

Australia is the biggest exporter of fossil fuels globally. Are we comfortable with this?

Rattle your pen– it’s a strong way of making something of a lockdown. Can YOU get a reply from Damian too?

Contact Damian Drum MP, the member for Nicholls.

Emails:                  damian.drum.mp@aph.gov.au       

Telephone:          Office.   5821 5371         Mob.     0407 576 604

Post:                     426 Wyndham Street, Shepparton Vic 3630

BUT its hard to get a direct response from the member for Nicholls, Damian Drum.        You may be better off writing to a local newspaper, or any newspaper in Nicholls, and sending a copy to Damian’s office. You can be sure that his staff are trawling local opinion in Letters to the Editor.

Shepparton News.                        editor@sheppnews.com.au

The Telegraph in Seymour.              editor@seymourtelegraph.com.au

The Border Mail…Albury Wodonga.              editor@bordermail.com.au

Euroa.                                            editor@euroa-gazette.com.au

Country News (has a big insert in The Seymour Telegraph, and elsewhere in our region) editor@countrynews.com.au

editor@newspaperhouse.com.au gets into the North Central Review

In a recent video conference about making a difference in the climate change space,  ALP shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler stated that if you want to make an impact on policy in Canberra, you have to make a lot of noise.

Keeping low in lock-down…………. a great time to Make some Noise with your pen. Don’t waste a moment, and have some fun.

And keep safe whilst you do.

Peter Lockyer,  President BEAM Mitchel Environment Group Inc.

If you want an update on Helen Haines MP’s Renewable Energy Plan for regional Australia https://www.helenhaines.org/issues/energy which has a link to the Discussion Paper https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cb8b5b02f0054b43871a338074a4cb23.

Sign the petition NOW
  SIGN  HERE

The National Climate Emergency Summit held in Melbourne Feb 14-15 2020 painted a dark picture on where our climate trajectory is taking us if we fail to address out carbon emissions and our relationships with mother Earth. The Summit produced a positive action-based declaration “The Safe Climate Declaration” at its conclusion. Former Australian Coal Association president Ian Dunlop read the declaration, flanked by Carmen Lawrence. What was reassuring at the conference was the diversity of skills and leadership on climate action from very different political backgrounds….Peter Garrett and John Hewson, for example. The Safe Climate Declaration is a straight shooting document for action, a positive document of policy above policy. As the bipartisan parliamentary action on Covid-19 demonstrates, we are not beyond responding to an emergency despite our different politics.

Hello to all BEAM members and friends,

We hope you are all keeping well and well occupied in your new lives.  We have been spending a lot of time in the garden during our lovely Autumn days.

Judging by the conversations with friends – and the sale of seedlings in the local shops – many people are also sitting outside with a cup or glass or getting down and dirty in the garden.  The time now available to many of us at home has created lots of opportunities to enjoy, enhance our gardens and record the wildlife in our backyards.   Read on…..

Creating a Garden for Wildlife

Now is a great time to working in your gardens.  We have been re-organising our vegetable garden and planting lots of vegetables.  But we have also re-designed our garden to accommodate more native plants.  We are now seeing a few more birds and a wide variety of insects, spiders and more in our backyard.  Recently we were surprised and very pleased to see a female Red-capped Robin in our yard.  Apart from the pleasure of watching native wildlife in your garden, you will be helping the survival of our local fauna and your garden will benefit from attracting all the pollinators and predators needed to create a healthy garden and a joyous place to be. 

In addition to planting a diversity of native plants for birds and insects, you can also:  set up a bird bath or 2, make and install insect hotels for native bees, set up a frog pond (I have seen clips on using PVC pipe scraps to create shelter for frogs), set up rock piles for shelter and basking areas and much more!

Here are some useful sites on providing information and ideas for helping you make a garden that is wildlife friendly. 

Gardens for Wildlife:  https://gardensforwildlifevictoria.com/.  Local Group at   http://www.apsmitchell.org.au/gardens-for-wildlife/ or @g4wmitchell on Facebook

Habitat Stepping Stones:  http://www.habitatsteppingstones.org.au/

Sustainable Gardening Australia:  https://www.sgaonline.org.au/.  Great site for resources and advice on setting your gardens up sustainably – useful for productive and non productive gardens as well as tips for wildlife friendly gardening

Citizen science in your backyard

You can get even more involved by recording and talking about the species you see in your backyard.  Several citizen science projects are running now and they are great family activities.

Birdlife Australia:  Birding at Home activities:  https://www.networkbirdlife.org/birding-at-home.  Enjoy a cuppa with the birds – 10 min bird survey during your morning cuppa.  Site has information, video clips of birds and resources

Wild Pollinator Count – open now:  https://wildpollinatorcount.com/blog/.  This is a simple survey run twice yearly – get involved.  The site has great resources and guides on how to contribute

Happy gardening

Peter and Barbara