Groundswell: Wrath of the Forest Protectors

The fight to protect native forests intensifiesIn 2019 the Vic Gov supposedly committed to winding down the native forest logging industry with a 2030 end-date. But now they've sneakily proposed more than 3000 changes to the logging industry code of practice, while rushing through a completely inadequate public consultation period (now ended). Many of the proposed changes are highly technical and complex, and will require further analysis to see if they weaken environmental protections.Fourteen Victorian environment groups have written to the state enviro minister D’Ambrosio, urging an extension of the ridiculously insufficiant 28-day deadline for community feedback on the proposed changes. Friends of the Earth Melbourne (FoE Melb), Rubicon Forest Protection Group, Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO), Kinglake Friends of the Forest and Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum also held an urgent public meeting that was attended by more than 100 concerned community members. This reflects a recent increase in support numbers for forest protection networks more broadly, and is indicative of the groundswell of public outrage currently burgeoning right across Australia—as the last fragile pockets of native forest that remain on this continent are being ruthlessly destroyed.This week on Earth Matters Chris Schuringa (GECO) explains why the Vic Gov's 2030 'end-date' is spurious, and highlights how the proposed code changes have exacerbated community concerns about the precious few remaining fragments of native forest in East Gippsland, which—incredibly—are still being destroyed by logging right now, despite the widespread devastation there since the 2019-2020 bushfires.We also hear from Mat Morgan (Bass Coast Climate Action Network) and ground supporter Darcy from Alberton West State Forest Blockade about the ongoing campaign by local communities there to protect this vital diversity corridor between Wilsons Promontory on the coast and the Strzelecki Ranges—and also Mat's epic tree-sit & arrest earlier this week. Submissions for the codes changes have officially closed, but you can still send objections directly to the enviro minister. Check out the FoE Melb guide and example submission.You can also attend FoE Melb's Aug 17 meeting and/or get involved with local forest protection collectives in your area. Earth Matters #1308 was produced by Nicky Stott