Council call on logging pipped at the post

By Tania Martin
THE town of Hoddles Creek has had a small environmental victory after the Shire of Yarra Ranges agreed to oppose an application for the logging of native vegetation on 99 hectares of land.
However, the fight is just beginning because before council could make a decision the applicant, Morgan Logging logged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The appeal was lodged by Morgan Logging as it felt the council had taken too long to make a decision.
The council last Tuesday agreed that the logging of the vegetation would have an adverse effect on the local environment and planned to inform VCAT that it was opposed to the application.
The applicant, Morgan Logging, applied for a permit to remove 99 hectares of native vegetation for the purposes of timber production at 565 Thonemans Road in Hoddles Creek.
However, the council received 25 objections from nearby residents and environmental groups outraged at the application.
The residents raised concerns about the destruction of flora and fauna, adverse impact on the surrounding habitat and the fragmentation of the bushland.
Spokesperson for the objectors, Jennifer Seabrook said the site, 128 hectares of multi-age native forest that fronts Hoddles and McCrae Creek was an excellent example of a richly biodiverse, ecological community, that forms part of a critical habitat corridor.
Mrs Seabrook said the application was completely opposite to the shire’s Vision 2020 policy and was at odds with other legislation.
She said the Vision 2020 requires the shire as environmental stewards to actively lead the way in enhancing the ecological Sustainability of the Yarra Ranges.
Mrs Seabrook said clear-felling as intended by the applicant would leave token understorey islands and seed trees and would dramatically reduce its viability.
“This proposal will have a major impact on the amenity and lifestyle of the local community, who have a strong appreciation of the local bushland,” she said.
Walling Ward councillor Len Cox said this application was one of the worst he had seen in quite some time.
Cr Cox said it was pity a the applicant didn’t turn up to the council meeting to hear the council and the local community’s view on the situation.
“It’s an appalling application, and our environment does not need any more of these applications.
“I just hope that VCAT see it the way we see it and do the right thing on what should have been our (the council’s) decision,” he said.
Mrs Seabrook said the residents of Hoddles Creek were delighted with the council’s unanimous decision to oppose the application.
The appeal will now go before VCAT on Friday, 24 March.