FOE AUSTRALIA NEWS
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Victorian cash for containers scheme announcement means all of Australia covered Friends of the Earth welcome the decision to implement a cash for containers scheme in Victoria. FoE is a member of the Boomerang Alliance of groups who have been working nationwide on the issue for many years. Whilst key design elements and collection arrangements are still to be worked out, the announced scheme means that: • Responsibility for the scheme is split between the government, the beverage industry and a container collection network • Victorians will be able to redeem a 10-cent refund on every plastic, glass or aluminium drink container from 2023 • Container litter will be slashed and recycling significantly increased • Community organisations will be able to fundraise by collecting cans and bottles Find out more at www.boomerangalliance.org.au
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Friends of the Earth expose horrific koala injuries
Community led protest camp in East Gippsland goes from strength to strength as new report launched Protests have continued to halt logging in East Gippsland in a contentious area of forest near the Errinundra Plateau. The area has been identified by the government and conservationists as a critical area for threatened species impacted by the fires, plans to log have been thwarted by community actions which have prevented logging from going ahead. Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO) worked on a new report with East Gippsland environment groups and Victorian National Parks Association which shows that the Errinundra Plateau is a critical refuge for species like the Greater Glider, which are still threatened by logging where they’re found. Almost 60 coupes are scheduled around Errinundra, and 90,000 ha are scheduled in forest refuges across Eastern Victoria. Read the full report at www.geco.org. au/forest_refuges_under_threat Find out about how to support the campaign at www.geco.org.au/save_errinundra The Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO) is a member group of Friends of the Earth Australia
Friends of the Earth were alarmed to learn that a koala was horrifically burnt at Alcoa’s Portland Aluminium smelter, in south-west Victoria in late January. The animal apparently entered the facility and ended up climbing some type of attachment in the smelter’s anode room. The burnt koala was removed, put in a bag and then released at a nearby golf course 3.6 km away. Apparently, this is not the first time that koalas have been released at the golf course from the smelter. The issue forced a response from Alcoa stating that they will: • Make it harder for koalas to enter the premises by upgrading gates, fences, and monitoring tree growth at the perimeter. • Update procedures related to handling koalas found on site. A draft of this procedure is currently with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) for review. • Actively engage with a wildlife carer regarding additional training for personnel who handle wildlife on site. A scope of work for this training is currently being developed. • Have a meeting scheduled for early March with DELWP and an independent koala specialist to progress Koala Management Plan. Whilst Friends of the Earth supports initiatives that will improve koala welfare, we are disappointed that most of these steps were taken only after media attention was brought about by local residents. Friends of the Earth Melbourne have launched a new collective to work to protect koalas in VIC. Contact anthony.amis@foe.org.au for more information.
