Strathbogie Forest logging coupes – gone!

The Victorian Government has halted all logging in the Strathbogie Forest, according to a recent announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Jaclyn Symes.

The government’s new Timber Release Plan (TRP) shows the removal of all logging coupes, covering 370 ha, from the Strathbogie Forest.

Without a doubt, this is fantastic news! With 74% of the Strathbogie Ranges’ original forests completely gone, we need to protect and carefully manage what we have left. With climate change on our doorstep, the 24,000 ha Strathbogie State Forest will become increasingly important to the health and well-being of regional towns and communities and catchment health. This announcement is a significant acknowledgement of the importance of the forest and validates the community’s five-year campaign to improve forest management and protect it’s important values. We applaud the Minister’s decision.

The Strathbogie coupes on the previous TRP.

The only coupes remaining on the TRP are those undergoing regeneration.

[click an image to enlarge]

In 2017, research conducted by Victorian Government scientists found that the Strathbogie Forest was a state-wide stronghold for the Greater Glider possum, a recently listed threatened species. The forest is also important for the survival of many other native plants, animals and vegetation communities (which have disappeared elsewhere in the ranges). The forest is acknowledged by government and experts as a critical climate refuge for the region’s flora and fauna.

We now encourage the government to take the next step and deliver permanent protection for the entire Strathbogie Forest.

Golden Mount, Strathbogie Forest.

Giant Messmate Stringybark – centuries old and surrounded by frineds.