22 RURAL
JULY 23, 2020
EPA orders Stop Work on forestry operations in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest “Any trees except
and Alpine YOUR Blackbutt NEWS Ash with a diameter of
The NSW Environment Protection Authority has today issued Forestry Corporation of NSW with a Stop Work Order to cease tree harvesting at Wild Cattle Creek State Forest inland from Coffs Harbour. EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Carmen Dwyer said EPA investigations
into operations in Compartments 32, 33 and 34 of the forest had revealed serious alleged breaches of the rules that govern native forestry operations, set out in the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval (IFOA), in relation to the protection of trees that must not be felled.
“To maintain biodiversity in the forest, the Coastal IFOA rules require loggers to identify giant trees (over 140cm stump diameter) and ensure they are protected and not logged. The EPA alleges that during an inspection on 9 July 2020 EPA officers observed two giant trees which had been felled.
more than 140cm are defined as giant trees and must be retained under the Coastal IFOA,” Ms Dwyer said. “As a result, the EPA has issued a Stop Work Order under the Biodiversity Conservation Act to stop Forestry Corporation logging in the forest. The order ensures that no further tree harvesting takes place in the area where the trees were felled for 40 days, or until the EPA is confident that Forestry Corporation can meet its obligations to comply with the Coastal IFOA conditions to protect giant trees.” This is the first time the EPA has issued Forestry Corporation with a Stop Work Order under new laws which came into effect in 2018. “These two old, giant trees have provided significant habitat and
biodiversity value and are irreplaceable. Their removal points to serious failures in the planning and identification of trees that must be retained in the forest. “These are serious allegations and strong action is required to prevent any further harm to giant or other protected trees which help maintain biodiversity and provide habitat for threatened species like koalas.” This action follows the recent issue of two Penalty Notices totalling $2,200 to Forestry Corporation for noncompliances associated with an alleged failure to correctly identify protection zones for trees around streams and for felling four trees within those protected zones in Orara East State Forest near Coffs Harbour. The penalties were issued under previous rules when the penalties were lower. “The EPA continues to
closely monitor forestry operations despite the current COVID-19 restrictions, to ensure compliance with the regulations,” Ms Dwyer said. “The community can be confident that any alleged non-compliance during forestry operations will be investigated by the EPA and action taken if the evidence confirms a breach.” Stop Work Orders and penalty notices are examples of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance including formal warnings, official cautions, licence conditions, notices and directions and prosecutions. A recipient can appeal and elect to have the matter determined by a court. For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/ legislation/prosguid.htm
Bentley Downs Charolais - 2020 Bentley Downs will catalogue eight young Charolais sires at the All Breeds Sale, Casino Sale yards, July 25th, 2020. All bulls are polled and by the sire “Airlie Kauri” purchased from the Airlie Charolais Stud. “Airlie Kauri” who is a Red Factor polled bull, has given us an even line of well-muscled, early maturing bulls for the sale. Bentley Downs has been operated by the Trustum Family since the early 1970’s. Since this time, the stud has selected heavily for amongst other things, Fertility, Milking ability and Muscling. The bulls being offered at the All Breeds Sale have been reared on a natural pasture and are being top off by a mixture of grain and pasture. Bentley Downs has achieved outstanding success in both the showring and led steer competitions. Countless carcass wins with Charolais and Charolais cross steers. Inspections are invited prior to the auction. For further information contact Allan or Helen Trustum on 66635 283.
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