Four new river red gum sanctuaries Victoria

Eric Frei · 1st January 2009, 02:14 PM

Victoria moves to save iconic gum trees, timber groups fume - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Quote:

Victoria moves to save iconic gum trees, timber groups fume

Posted Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:37pm AEDT

The New South Wales Government is being urged to look downriver to see how to save the centuries-old red gums along the Murray.

The Victorian Government is creating four new national parks to protect the trees.

But while environment groups have applauded the decision, it will cost dozens of timber workers their jobs.

On some stretches of the Murray River three quarters of the red gums are dead or dying. Victoria's Environment Minister Gavin Jennings has walked among them.

"A 500-year-old tree that you can't see the top of when you stand at its base - this is the magic and majesty of the trees that we're actually talking about," he says.

The Victorian Government is now acting on an election promise to protect the trees, creating four national parks along the Murray, Goulburn and Ovens rivers.

Premier John Brumby says the new national parks will come at the expense of up to 56 jobs, as commercial timber harvesting is phased out.

"What's occurring at the moment is just not sustainable. If you want to save these forests then logging in these areas, the national park areas, does have to cease," Mr Brumby said.

It may not be as old as many of the trees, but the timber industry that relies on the river red gum is a significant employer in river communities.

Paul Madden is the managing director of Arbuthnot Sawmills, which has been processing red gum timber at Koondrook for about 120 years. His mill employs 20 people and he says the loss of access to the forests will devastate the community.

"The timing is appalling. When we're supposed to be celebrating Christmas and New Year, it's pretty soul destroying," he said.

He says a large portion of the mill's log intake will be lost, and it will have a huge impact on the local community.

"The red gum industry in Koondrook is about 30 per cent of the work force. You take 30 per cent of the work force away from any community and it creates a devastating effect," he said.

Farmers are also angry that they are losing access for cattle grazing.

Simon Ramsay is the president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, and says the Victorian Government has missed its target.

"The issue and the problem is about drought. A national park is not going to make it rain," he said.

The announcement of four new river red gum sanctuaries has been warmly welcomed by environmentalists.

"It's the best conservation announcement Premier Brumby has made since being Premier," said Gavan McFadzean from the Wilderness Society.

He says he now wants the New South Wales Government to follow Victoria's lead.

"There are significant areas of red gum forests also on the New South Wales side of the border which are not part of this decision but are equally worthy of protection," he said.

"So we think the New South Wales Government should take heed of the lead taken by the Brumby Government and also look at protecting red gum forests on the New South Wales side of the border."

New South Wales Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald says the sustainability of logging red gums in New South Wales is now being investigated, but he doesn't expect there'll be any need for change.

I have been onto the mentioned website of the logging company and noted this page.

Arbuthnot Sawmills, Pty. Ltd. EST. 1889

Quote:

Arbuthnot Sawmills Pty Ltd are a licensed member of the EcoSelect, "Wood Lives On" program run by the Victorian Timber Promotion Council.
The EcoSelect brand guarantees that the timber has been carefully harvested from sustainably managed, natural Australian Forests.
EcoSelect brand of timber allows consumers and specifiers to make a choice for the environment when sourcing their timber requirements.

I think there's more to this, have emailed the company to see if they got some inside story.... I mean, what's the licence system all about?

newguy18 · 2nd January 2009, 06:41 AM

The government made a decision,a crumby one at that imo,whats worse,logging or killing 30 percent of a community's workforce because of some treehuggers,i'm all for saving trees but this is extreme and unessacary imo,now selective logging where they selectivly thin it out and replant would be better,everyone compromises and everyone wins.Also couldn't they just buy acreage,plant some weed like pinus elliottii and continuely log and replant?They do it around here and elsewhere i'm sure.
Floridata: Pinus elliotti

Drouin Tree Service · 2nd January 2009, 11:31 AM

Aparently these trees need just what there name suggests "a river" goverment better off fixing the river problem first.

Eric Frei · 2nd January 2009, 11:41 AM

Hey Lopa, the govt wanted to tap that river and suck it dry so the Melbournites can wash their cars.

Done it · 2nd January 2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_lopa

Aparently these trees need just what there name suggests "a river" goverment better off fixing the river problem first.

Exactly.

NG there are thousands of acres of Radiata pine not far from there, I even own some, worse luck.

NSW needs to do the same thing, but everything takes so long with Governments.

Murray River Red Gums Rescue — The Wilderness Society

newguy18 · 3rd January 2009, 02:31 AM

Is Radiata pine good for logging?Does it grow back fast?

Done it · 3rd January 2009, 07:52 PM

Pretty similar to elliotti. Where mine are, final felling is now 28 years, due to new tech. About 114000 acres there. [VIC]

A lot in NSW as well, Forest Facts: Radiata pine - 'The Remarkable Pine'

newguy18 · 3rd January 2009, 11:52 PM

2nd January 2009, 06:41 AM	#2
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Four new river red gum sanctuaries Victoria The government made a decision,a crumby one at that imo,whats worse,logging or killing 30 percent of a community's workforce because of some treehuggers,i'm all for saving trees but this is extreme and unessacary imo,now selective logging where they selectivly thin it out and replant would be better,everyone compromises and everyone wins.Also couldn't they just buy acreage,plant some weed like pinus elliottii and continuely log and replant?They do it around here and elsewhere i'm sure. Floridata: Pinus elliotti __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

2nd January 2009, 11:31 AM	#3
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,696	Re: Four new river red gum sanctuaries Victoria Aparently these trees need just what there name suggests "a river" goverment better off fixing the river problem first. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

2nd January 2009, 11:41 AM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,814	Re: Four new river red gum sanctuaries Victoria Hey Lopa, the govt wanted to tap that river and suck it dry so the Melbournites can wash their cars. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

3rd January 2009, 02:31 AM	#6
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Four new river red gum sanctuaries Victoria Is Radiata pine good for logging?Does it grow back fast? __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

3rd January 2009, 07:52 PM	#7
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 784	Re: Four new river red gum sanctuaries Victoria Pretty similar to elliotti. Where mine are, final felling is now 28 years, due to new tech. About 114000 acres there. [VIC] A lot in NSW as well, Forest Facts: Radiata pine - 'The Remarkable Pine'

3rd January 2009, 11:52 PM	#8
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Four new river red gum sanctuaries Victoria __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

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