Mail - Upper Yarra Mail - 04th February 2020

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Upper Yarra

4 Tuesday, 4 February, 2020

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Mail Covering the Upper Yarra Region of the Yarra Ranges Shire

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Logging letdown By Jed Lanyon

Views of nearby forests in Warburton.

Picture: ROB CAREW

tensively consulting at all. They’ve been very reluctant to engage whatsoever.” The report assures that a visual analysis study using terrain and lidar (light detection and ranging) canopy data concluded that the harvested coupe would not be visible from the Warburton township, but states, “it may be possible to see the general area of the coupe from some isolated areas in East Warburton and Big Pats Creek.” The report addressed community concerns regarding the increased risk of bushfire, stating that VicForests would be complying with the

Bushfire Moderation Zone restrictions in the area, which requires no more than one per cent can be harvested within a five-year period. “Following timber harvesting activity in this coupe, VicForests will work with Forest Fire Management Victoria to conduct controlled burning which will reduce the fuel hazard to below pre-harvest levels,” the report reads. “There is not expected to be any impact on the water supply from VicForests’ harvesting activity ... A High Conservation Values planning survey has been conducted on the main harvest area to ensure that areas with conser-

vation requirements, such as threatened species, are protected.” The report states that a DELWP conducted a Leadbeaters Possum Camera Trap survey and an Old Growth survey which did not detect any threatened species in the area. VicForests will be hosting a community event at Warburton’s Alpine Retreat Hotel between 11am and 3pm on Saturday 8 February regarding the Apu coupe. For more information about the proposed Apu logging coupe, visit http://www.vicforests. com.au/planning-1/warburton-consultation. 1216759-KK8-16

A group of Yarra Valley residents have held community meetings to voice their concerns regarding potential new logging coupes in Warburton, which they fear will alter the town’s views of the landscape. “The impact on wildlife, water supply to Big Pats Creek residents, increased fire risk and the amenity of Warburton is of great concern,” meeting organiser Jenny Conway said. Ms Conway said that she fears logging operations were set to take place as soon as February after one Big Pats Creek resident received a letter notifying them that the coupe would be located nearby the boundary of their property. She said that the group had already reported seeing a lot of activity along Smythes Creek Road as VicForests completes a reconstruction of a road to allow access for harvesters. “People come up to ride their bikes in the forest and take walks. If you’re driving back to Warburton from the Redwood Forest, you’re going to be looking at a logging coupe,” she said. Upon contacting VicForests, the stateowned harvester released information regarding the proposed logging coupe. “VicForests is investigating the suitability of a coupe (Apu) in Warburton for harvest. As part of this process VicForests is consulting with the Warburton community and conducting surveys and studies of the area,” the report reads. But Ms Conway said her attempts to contact VicForests for community consultation have been ignored. “It’s just rubbish. They have not been ex-

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