Battle for the forests and water

The battle to save Victoria's old-growth forests and preserve Victoria's water catchments continued in Warburton on November 23, when 400 local residents and supporters from Melbourne rallied here.

Warburton is surrounded by Mountain Ash forest and contains some of Victoria's most important water catchments.

Wurundjeri elder Sister Joy Wandin Murphy told the rally that rather than the government giving massive subsidies to woodchipping companies, it should assist timber workers to shift to sustainable jobs.

Greens Yarra Ranges Shire councillor Samantha Dunn asked: "John Brumby [in] opposition supported an end to logging. Why is it a good policy when you're in opposition but not when you're in government?" Dunn has initiated a council policy statement opposing catchment-area logging, which 14 other councils have now signed.

For more information about the issues and campaign, visit http://www.myenvironment.org.au.

From GLW issue 777