Bush battlezone

By Kath Gannaway
A BATTLE is looming in Hoddles Creek over plans to log 99 hectares of bushland in a rural conservation zone in Thoneman’s Road, Beenak.
Moran Logging Company Pty Ltd of Warburton has lodged an application with the Shire of Yarra Ranges to log the area which is part of a 128 hectare property purchased by the company earlier this year.
Ray Turner and Jennifer Seabrook, members of Friends of Hoddles Creek (FOHC) and residents of Thoneman’s Road, said the group is strongly opposed to the proposal and that a consultation meeting held recently between the Shire of Yarra Ranges, objectors and concerned residents and Moran Logging Company representatives did nothing to ease their concerns.
Ms Seabrook said a flora and fauna survey indicated the property has plants of significance and important wildlife habitat.
“Animals included bandicoots, possums and gliders, wombats, wallabies and birds, including the threatened Powerful Owl,” Ms Seabrook said.
“The extensive clearfelling proposed will dramatically reduce wildlife habitat and increase the risks of washout and erosion,” she said.
Mr Turner rejected claims the application would create improved biodiversity and net environmental gain.
“They plan to leave five ‘seed’ trees’ per hectare to provide the basis for regrowth, as well as several large trees per hectare with hollows for wildlife use but it’s proven that isolated trees scattered across cleared land provide little effective habitat and are very susceptible to storm and wind damage,” he said.
“I think most people would be shocked to think a property in a Rural Conservation Zone could come under threat from logging and even if there is a remote possibility, it needs to be stopped in its tracks,” he said.
He said other issues included the fact that logging would be carried out over three years and that the roads in the area are narrow and winding.
“Timber trucks would add significantly to the road hazards for drivers and pedestrians, create dust, noise and road degradation,” he said.
Another objector, David Griffiths, said he was concerned the application would set a precedent in the area for logging on private land.
He said the 40 to 50 year re-growth plan would be unmanageable.
“All the land that is logged is looked after by DSE. If, being private land, the shire had to look after the re-vegetation, they would have to set up a whole new department.”
Lionel and Jesse Helmi, who were among members of the FOHC who gathered at the proposed logging site last week, said they also feared it would set a precedent.
They said they were also concerned about the effect the loss of such a large area of bushland would have on climate change.
Shire of Yarra Ranges communications manager James Martin confirmed that although the land is in a rural conservation zone it can be granted a permit for timber harvesting.
“There is certainly the ability to grant a permit if appropriate but it is something which would need to be considered on its merits,” he said.
He said a report would be prepared as a result of the consultation meeting and he expected the matter would be considered in the new year.
“Logging has taken place on private land in the past and each application is judged on its merit,” Mr Martin said.
He rejected the proposal that granting of this particular permit would set a precedent.
“If it was felt logging on private land was inappropriate then precedent doesn’t come into it.”
The Friends of Hoddles Creek will hold a further meeting for objectors at the Hoddles Creek Hall on Wednesday, 14 December, at 7pm.
The Mail contacted Mr Gary Moran of Moran Logging Pty Ltd on Monday.
He said he did not wish to make comment on the application at this stage.