National forests plan a 'sham'

November 28, 1995
Issue 

By Graham Mathews The federal government's final decision on the Deferred Forest Assessment areas (DFAs) is due to be made by federal cabinet on November 27. Since the decision on areas to be protected from logging was postponed in late October, the process has disappeared into the office of the Prime Minister and cabinet where considerable horse trading has gone on in secret. Draft areas to be set aside under the process were submitted by individual states in October. After a lot of criticism from conservation groups about the inadequacy of these areas the federal government extended the submission period, supposedly to allow greater time for consultation before a final decision is made. "The [timber] unions and companies have been driving the agenda to a large extent", Sid Walker, executive director of the NSW Nature Conservation Council told Green Left Weekly. Whereas he expected some improvements in the final document, Walker was not convinced that it would lay the basis for an adequate reserve system. "The key question is whether they [NSW forestry] are logging areas that are likely to be needed in the long term for an adequate reserve system and the answer, at least in the draft plan, is yes", said Walker. Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) regards the whole process as a sham. "There has been no attempt [by the NSW government] to use the process to form adequate reserves. The only consideration in setting aside compartments from logging has been forest type", Pugh told Green Left. He said that more fundamental considerations such as endangered species have been ignored. The ultimate result of the DFA process will be to give timber companies unlimited access to those forests not included in the DFAs. "Powers of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Environment Protection Authority to protect significant values in forests not covered in the DFAs will be severely curtailed", said Pugh, who predicted greater confrontation with logging companies as a result. At a November 21 electorate meeting in Parramatta organised by the Wilderness Society, sitting ALP member Paul Elliot indicated that a 20% cut in export woodchips nationally was "likely" in 1996 as a result of the final DFA decision. According to Wilderness Society campaign spokesperson, James Day, however, "Cuts [to woodchip quotas] would have to go much further, particularly in states like Victoria." Environmental groups are calling for cuts of at least 35% to the woodchip quotas for 1996. A bill drafted by WA Greens Senator Christabel Chamarette calls for the complete phasing out of the woodchip industry by the end of 1997. Making relatively small reductions to the woodchip quotas will not necessarily make a significant difference to timber companies' logging plans, nor to the development of a sustainable industry. But "If the ALP decides it wants to look greener, cutting woodchip quotas [marginally] is an easy way to do that", said Walker. Walker argues that substantial cuts in woodchip quotas from native forests could take place with relatively little disruption by making greater use of the softwood (pine) plantations in the Bombala region of NSW. "Overall, the DFA process has been a mixed bag", Day commented. "States like Western Australia and Victoria have been an utter and complete disaster, while NSW has been 99% disaster", he said. Day argues that ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of the process rests with the federal government which has an obligation under a number of international agreements to protect biodiversity and natural heritage values. The peak environment organisations are holding a national conference in Canberra over the weekend of November 25-26 to discuss campaigning options if the final DFA decision is inadequate. "If the federal government ends up just doing a PR job [on the DFAs], then we'll certainly let them know", Walker concluded.

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.