LETTER TO THE EDITOR

18 August1999

Mr Macarthur does not believe that clearfell logging in the Otways has an adverse impact upon the water supply of the Geelong region (GA 17/8/99). Unfortunately for Mr Macarthur this is not an issue which he can simply dismiss by shifting the burden of proof to the Otway Ranges Environment Network. It would be fair to say that the majority of people in attendance at last Monday’s meeting about the West Regional Forest Agreement already accept the evidence presented by OREN.

Can Mr Macarthur clarify why essential hydrology research was abandoned in the Otway Ranges before the data he demands from Mr Birrell could be obtained? Upon what information does Mr Macarthur base his opinion that hydrology research in Melbourne catchments which supports OREN’s case cannot translate to our region? Can he also account for the photographic evidence which Mr Birrell has distributed of a massive land slip just below a logging coup in the Otways?

Perhaps if Mr Macarthur had attended either of the public meetings on the West RFA which have taken place in Geelong in recent weeks he would be better placed to put his views to an increasingly sceptical public.

Still, all is not lost! Mr Macarthur is more than welcome to make a presentation at our next workshop where we will be assisting the community with the preparation of submissions on the Comprehensive Regional Assessment section of the West RFA.

We would like to invite everyone who is interested to attend this workshop which will be held on Thursday 26th August, 7:00-9:00pm, 4 Gheringhap Street, Geelong. The CRA report is lengthy, and the consultation time allowed by the state and federal governments is disappointingly brief. Come along and have your say on ‘Our water, Our forests, Our future’.

Serena O’Meley
Geelong Community Forum