URGENCY MOTION TO 18/19 MAY ALP STATE CONFERENCE
INTEGRATION OF GOOLENGOOK UPPER CATCHMENT INTO ERRINUNDRA NATIONAL
PARK
1 . The ALP State Conference (Victorian Branch) resolves that it expresses condemnation of the Victorian State Government's recent decision to proceed with logging operations in the Goolengook Forest Management Block and calls for permanent cessation of logging in the forest block.
2. The ALP State Conference (Victorian Branch) resolves that the Victorian State Government establishes an independent public inquiry to integrate the Upper Goolengook catchment into the Errinundra National Park under the National Parks Act 1975, in order to reserve the forest block permanently and make it available for the benefit of the public.
The addition to Errinundra National Park is recommended on the following grounds:
a) Goolengook Upper catchment supports extensive nationally-significant stands of oldgrowth forest (including Significant areas of ' negligibly disturbed" forest).
b) Goolengook Upper catchment supports six threatened species and three threatened plant communities listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
c) integration of Goolengook Upper catchment into the Errinundra National Park is the only management option which can guarantee the sustainable operation of the natural ecological and evolutionary processes required to maintain the outstanding heritage values of the Upper Goolengook catchment.
d) it is recognised that Goolengook Upper catchment must be integrated into the Errinundra National Park for its ecological significance, natural beauty and interest and for the preservation of its wildlife habitat.
e) the proposed addition is consistent with ALP 1999 election commitments and ALP Conservation and Environment Policy 2000 objectives under Sections C (2.1, 5.1, 5.2,
5.3) and D (4.3) and observes the terms of the East Gippsiand RFA.
Moved: Seconded:
MOTION TO 18/19 MAY 2002 ALP STATE CONFERENCE
ARISING OUT OF CORRESPONDENCE PERTAINING TO BRANCH
RESOLUTIONS, CALLING FOR AN END TO CLEARFELL LOGGING IN
THE OTWAYS, CONTAINED IN THE ECONOMICS & INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT
TO STATE CONFERENCE
That ALP State Conference resolves that the ALP adopts the following as policy:
I That the Victorian State Government ends clearfell logging of native vegetation in the Otway State Forest. This can be done in accordance with the West Victoria Regional Forest Agreement under the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production.
2. That the Victorian State Government does not permit any alternative form of industrial logging of the Otway State Forest which is ecologically unsustainable and cannot guarantee proper safety for workers.
3 . That the Victorian State Government ceases logging within all proclaimed water supply catchments in the Otway State Forest, and schedules the catchments as non-logging Reserves to improve water quality and achieve maximum water yield potential, pursuant to the Crown Land (Reserves) Act.
4. That the Victorian State Government assists with structural adjustment through -retraining and employment creation programs in private plantation forestry and tourism industries in the Otway-Colac region, and acknowledges the experience of current forest workers for employment in future native State Forest management strategies.
5. Also, that, in accordance with clause 1, the Victorian State Government:
a) ceases the annual renewal of Residual Log Allocations, which allow for the exploitation of the Otway State Forest for woodchips, pursuant to the Forest Act; and
b) ceases the granting of future Residual Log Licences under which residual logs are supplied for processing into woodchips pursuant to the Forest Act.
Mover: Trevor Poulton (Member Economics & Industrial Development Policy Committee)
Seconder: Nick Adams (Member Economics & Industrial Development Policy Committee)