Submission for the preparation of the final Western RFA

Introduction

To my dismay, rather than concentrating on writing this submission, I felt the need to go up to Riley’s Ridge for a couple of days to help defend it against Sheryl Garbutt’s broken promise. This has left me sorely tempted not to bother with this process at all! I fear for the future not only of the native forests of Victoria which inturn support many other industries, but of due democratic process itself - the demise of public involvement in the decision-making process.

I have found the actions of our current minister for the environment to be unaccountable. I feel the minister needs to be reminded that both she and her bureaucrats are still on the public payroll and are there to serve us. Although the department of Natural Resources and Environment may still be trying to adjust to Victoria’s new political climate, I think that they should take note of what has already been demonstrated in the last state election; good governance and proper management can only be sustained through democratic accountability.

Submission (There are four sections in this submission.)

To achieve this, Sheryl Garbutt must:

b) Incorporate processes of transparency into the RFA consultations by;

ii. publishing each of the RFA panel members’ pecuniary interests,

1. commissioning and releasing independent research into the viability of the Silvicultural System Project (SSP),
2. the Biodiversity Assessment Report is released and given reasonable time to be assessed,
3. releasing photocopies of forest coupe plans and block maps,
4. releasing the specially commissioned endangered Tiger Quoll paper, and exploring all avenues for its preservation and if need be, commission more research programs to better understand the needs of this marsupial,
5. commissioning and releasing independent research into the uniform protection for the Otways Powerful Owl, incorporating both the Otways and the outer boundaries of its habitat toward Portland,
6. commissioning and releasing a study on the economic potential of the Otways forest hinterland for tourism and eco-tourism. This should include:

• a study of the employment potential of hinterland tourism,
• identifying appropriate forest areas for sustainable hinterland tourism development,
• identifying threats to hinterland tourism, and
• identifying environmental impacts of hinterland tourism

vi. placing a moratorium on all logging in all water catchments,

1. commissioning and releasing an independent review of the relationship between sawmill companies, loggers, NRE personnel and ministers’ advisers, to explore avenues of ensuring transparency.
2. publishing a list of all details of the NRE bureaucrats and their pecuniary interests,
3. publishing a list of all contract details with hardwood logging, sawmilling and woodchipping companies,
4. publishing a list of all contract details with PR companies working for the timber industry and documentation relating to their campaign work,

iii. that clearfell logging reduces biodiversity,

vi. that only 6% of the volume logged ends up as high grade timber,

viii. that there needs to be a clear definition of a sawlog driven industry,

9. non-timber forest values such as tourism,
10. how tourism has created new jobs in the renowned logging town of Beech Forrest,
11. that the Great Ocean Road that runs through the Otways earns for the State of Victoria approximately $500 million in tourism,
12. why tourism is one of the biggest drivers of employment growth,
13. the unified opposition of the Greater Geelong City Council, the Surf Coast Shire (representing 84% of the region’s population) and the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce to continued clearfell logging,
14. that the impact of clearfelling on scenic values is catastrophic,
15. how logging in catchments may prevent the expansion of major industries such as dairy and meat processing and tourism,
16. that additional water is needed for the expansion of the dairy processing region,

xvii. that the Gellibrand water catchment yields are shrinking through logging,

19. that the regions dairy processing consists of 6 major processors which inturn employ 2,500 people,
20. that the timber industry must demonstrate how continuation of logging in water catchments is not detrimental to Victoria,
21. that a 20 year arrangement will effectively lockout the public from utilising any rightful democratic processes that they see fit to use in order to make the timber industry more accountable,

a) fulfilling Labor’s election promises to:

1. ‘undertake comprehensive hydrology research to determine the impact of logging on water yields and water quality in the proclaimed water catchments of the Otways State Forest’,

 

2. ‘examine methods of improving Geelong’s water supply including increasing storage, reducing water utilisation and waste as well as measures to improve water yields.’

 

3. ‘change the Victorian Constitution to ensure the retention of all water authorities in public ownership so that they are directly accountable to the Victorian community.’

 

4. ‘set up an independent review to ensure that royalties and charges cover all State management costs.’

 

5. ‘ensure that there is a level playing field between native and plantations in setting charges for logging our timber resources. This makes it likely that logging will not continue in areas that are unprofitable or unsustainable.’

 

6. ‘encourage the use of funding available to the industry through the RFA process to assist with restructuring where logging of native forests proves to be uneconomical.’

1. restore the balance of protected areas against exploited areas,
2. incorporate a ‘precautionary principle’ when managing environmental, indigenous and/or culturally sensitive areas,
3. assist sawmilling companies with the conversion from hard wood to soft wood processing,
4. provide investment incentives for ‘value adding’ for the soft wood industry to:

• increase employment prospects,
• replace hard wood with soft wood logging,
• revitalise rural areas and infrastructure that has been run down,
• ensure the protection of the Otways from native logging,
• ensure the protection of non-timber based forest industries from the flow-on effects of native logging,

1. either repeal the arrangement covering the interest payments on the outstanding $8 million in timber royalties to the Victorian government, and if necessary confiscate the equivalent amount in assets from those companies which either refuse or cannot pay the amount owing, or
2. ensure that saw mills invest the equivalent of the outstanding royalties in new soft wood processing technology,
3. with the support of the community, actively sponsor the restructuring of the timber industry,
4. maintain some level of investment performance requirements on the timber industry to ensure;

• that smaller mills can compete with multinational timber companies,
• local employment quotas are kept,
• local management is employed,
• that some profit is reinvested back into the community.

1. appropriate compensation packages must be made available for any loss or downturn in non-timber forest related industries wrought by the timber industry,
2. guarantee the protection of the Tiger Quoll and other endangered species,
3. protect Riley’s Ridge and other contentious areas from further destruction.

1. The Great Ocean Road Study lists its areas of special consideration including:

• ‘continued prosperity of the corridor
• provision of water-supply and sewerage treatment
• provision of coordinated and environmentally acceptable direction and tourist signing.’

Since tourism rellies heavily on water, special provisions must be made in the final RFA to allow for the continual ‘flow on’ of new employment opportunities in tourism and other related areas.

1. Colac Otway Shires’ web site says that Colac;

‘has a strong commitment to creating a high quality business environment that develops new jobs, fosters innovation in technology and diversifies the economic base. It is keen to work with potential investors to develop new opportunities in food production.’

In an increasingly globalised world, diversification is the key to our future. This will only occur by defining key resources and having the strategy that will give us the comparative advantage over our competitors. Given that the Great Ocean Road and its surrounding environs are already internationally renowned, and the basic infrastructure is in place to utilise and invest in these resources, it would be folly to sacrifice such opportunities for a dieing, outmoded and destructive industry.

 

2. The Victorian Coastal Strategy developed by the Victorian Coastal Council ensures ‘sustainable and balanced use of coastal resources. This strategy proposes reinforcement of the Great Ocean Road as the major tourism spine...’

Given that Riley’s Ridge is visible from the Great Ocean Road, where is the logic in clearfelling this wild life corridor? It would make more sense for the timber industry to try to keep their embarrassingly destructive practises out of the public eye.

The RFA process must include a comprehensive study on the economic potential of the Otway forest hinterland for tourism.

Conclusion

The RFA must foster investor confidence in all spheres if it is to succeed. However, if the timber industry is allowed to run amok then the ramifications and strategies for expropriation must be factored into the final agreement, ie

• appropriate compensation packages at the market price must be made available for any loss or downturn wrought by the timber industry,
• the Western RFA can not afford to ignore the social costs brought about by such downturns,
• unless the timber industry can provide evidence that the continued practise of clear felling in water catchments will benefit Victoria, the full costs of expropriation must be born by the industry,

Out of the estimated 30,000 indigenous sites, only 263 have so far been surveyed. In the spirit of Reconciliation, what concrete assurances can the RFA make that these other 29 000 odd sites will be;

1. surveyed?
2. protected?

What systems are being utilised for identification?

How can non-Australian multinational timber companies be expected to negotiate with the indigenous custodians?

If the sites are interfered with, vandalised or destroyed, how will the indigenous custodians be compensated?

Who will calculate the cost for damages? And how?

What authority will enforce the protection of these sites?

The Western RFA must not override The UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Article 13 stipulates; ‘The Right To Freedom Of Movement’.

The Western RFA must guarantee all Victorians the right to travel anywhere within their own Otway State Forest.

Article 19 stipulates ‘The Right To Freedom Of Opinion and Expression’.

Article 20 stipulates; ‘The Right To Freedom Of Peaceful Assembly and Association’.

The Western RFA as it currently stands will only inflame the friction between the loggers, non-timber forest industries, Shires, and protestors, etc. The RFA must guarantee the safety of peaceful protesters and ensure that every precaution is taken against the loggers who appear willing to take the law into their own hands and arm themselves with weapons.

Article 29 stipulates ‘Everyone Has Duties to the Community’.

Allowing the native logging and woodchipping of old growth forests to continue only serves one narrow section of the community, ignoring the wishes of the rest of the community. This therefore undermines the ‘community’ as a whole for it removes its ability to grow and function properly as an entire entity.

Article 30 stipulates ‘No Person Has the Right To Destroy Any Of These Rights and Freedoms’.

Not even Ms Sheryl Garbutt, the Minister for Natural Resources and Environment.

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