Logging heats up

By Dion Teasdale
THE controversy over the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s (VCAT) decision to allow the logging of a protected forest in Hoddles Creek is hotting up.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges has stepped up its campaign to have VCAT and State planning laws, which gave the logging contract the go-ahead last month, overhauled.
However, logging industry representatives have come out in support of the decision and have defended VCAT’s right to make decisions on complex local planning issues.
Last week councillor Samantha Dunn was interviewed on ABC radio 774 and called on the State Government to reform the planning act and give local councils more power to make planning decisions.
“VCAT completely turned its back on our local policies in determining its decision,” she told presenter Chris Clark.
“We are determined to lobby the Planning Minister on this issue.
“Clearly, the framework in which VCAT operates is wrong; it does not represent the local community.”
The following day four of the shire’s councillors joined mayor Monika Keane and the shire’s chief executive Ron Hauser in Hoddles Creek for a photo opportunity with local environment groups and residents.
James Martin, the shire’s community relations manager, said councillors wanted to show they were “upping their fight”.
“It might be too late for this forest but we are keen to show how VCAT has completely disregarded our local planning policies,” he said.
Allowing the Moran Logging Company of Warburton to log the 99 hectare forest, which runs along Thonemans Road, brings the number of council decisions overturned by VCAT in the past three years to 15, Mr Martin said.
Gary Moran, the man behind Moran Logging Company, said he was satisfied with VCAT’s operation.
“It’s been a long process, I have ensured that scientific information was the basis for my application and made sure that no stone was left unturned,” he said.
“I have followed my democratic right and gone through the correct planning procedures and am pleased that VCAT has ruled in favour of the application.”
Mr Moran rejected the shire’s argument that VCAT’s approval of his logging plans was an insult to the local community.
“The outcome is a win-win situation for all. True environmentalist would realise that this outcome has been balanced and that well managed timber harvesting and environmental management can work hand in hand,” he said.
Scott Gentle, Victorian state manager of Timber Communities Australia said the decision to allow Mr Moran to log his Hoddles Creek property was made with “common sense prevailing”.
He said the shire’s campaign to show VCAT as out of step with the wishes of the local community was misleading.
“Unlike the comments made by the Shire of Yarra Ranges, the whole community is not against timber harvesting proceeding on Gary’s property,” he said.
“Locals recognise that the region has had a long history associated with the timber industry.”
Planning Minister Rob Hulls said he would release a statement early next year outlining how local government policies could be better interpreted by VCAT.