Forestry breaches covered in new book Coffs Coast Nambucca Valley by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 25, 2024 The launch of ‘Breaches’ in Pine Creek State Forest. ‘BREACHES’, a book profiling the recent history of logging breaches by Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW), was launched in Pine Creek State Forest by its lead author, Dr Miriam Pepper. A gathering organised by the Forest Advocacy Ministry, which is a project of members of the Uniting Church and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), took place on Saturday, 5 October. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au In addition to the book launch, Brentyn Lugnan of Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation spoke about connection to country, Forest Chaplain Rev. Dr Jason John led a reflection, and environment advocate Alison Heeley from Bellingen led a mindfulness walk. In May this year, at the NSW Land and Environment Court, FCNSW admitted to the illegal destruction of three hollow-bearing trees in the Wild Cattle Creek State Forest, west of Coffs Harbour, in 2020. It had already admitted to the destruction of six giant trees around the same time. ‘Breaches’ covers this and other illegal forestry practices in Bagawa State Forest beyond Coramba, as well as in six other forests on the south and north coasts. “Since 2020, the EPA has started and/or completed more than 50 formal investigations of Forestry Corp’s compliance, often after receiving complaints from the local community,” Dr Pepper said. “More than 30 of these investigations have resulted in enforcement action so far, with fines and other costs totalling over $1.7 million.” Some breaches have been prosecuted in the Land and Environment Court, with three cases completed since 2020 (for offences since 2018) and the Wild Cattle Creek offences pending judgement. These breaches include failing to abide by the post-bushfire conditions that were intended to help surviving wildlife to recover, logging in prohibited areas, and felling hollow-bearing and giant trees. “Breaches can have serious consequences for wildlife,” Dr Pepper said. “For example, cutting down trees with hollows used by hollow-dependent threatened species such as greater and yellow-bellied gliders, owls, parrots and glossy black-cockatoos, destroys their homes.” “Breaches” is published by the Forest Advocacy Ministry. FCNSW was contacted for comment. By Andrea FERRARI ‘Breaches’ lead author Dr Miriam Pepper with the Forest Advocacy Ministry’s Jessi Levy and Jason John.
