LOWLAND RAINFOREST RESTORATION

Lowland rainforest is listed as endangered and protected under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act and also the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Now, an epic five-year project to restore six dry rainforest remnants in the Chambigne area has just been successfully completed by the Clarence Environment Centre’s bush regeneration team, thanks to a $345,000 grant from the NSW Environmental Trust.

 Five of the project’s remnants are located on Clarence Valley Council’s “Rockview” property, part of the regional water supply’s land acquisition for the Shannon Creek dam, with the sixth remnant located in the adjoining Chambigne Nature Reserve.

All six had been under serious threat from invasive weeds, predominantly Lantana, which needed to be painstakingly removed to reduce disturbance. However, with work still to begin, the entire area was reduced to ashes in the 2019 bushfires.

While most of the remnants suffered significant damage, the fire, combined with the severe drought conditions at the time, actually killed much of the Lantana on the periphery and surrounding areas.

This led to a rethink, and the launch of an ambitious plan to expand one small quarter hectare remnant, across steep slopes and gullies, to measure more than 20 hectares.

Most of that area had once been rainforest but was cleared for grazing early last century. However, over the last 50 years or more it had been largely neglected, allowing it to become invaded by a variety of weeds with Lantana forming an almost impenetrable barrier.

The bushfire changed all that, consuming not only the Lantana, but most of the regenerating rainforest. However, it opened up the area for the weed team which has been able to keep on top of the weeds and allow nature to take over.

The natural regeneration that occurred was amazing, starting with a dense cover of Acacia, now standing over 5 metres and providing shade for a wide range of emerging rainforest trees and shrubs. 

The biggest challenge now is to keep fire out for a prolonged period and obtain ongoing funding to ensure the good work isn’t wasted.

 

-        John Edwards

 

 Published in the "Voices for the Earth" column in The Clarence Valley Independent , August 14, 2024.

THE EPA's POOR ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD

In August 2018, at the request of the owner of a newly acquired bush property, the Clarence Environment Centre investigated a Private Native Forestry (PNF) operation that had been undertaken there immediately prior to the new owner taking possession.

That investigation uncovered horrific environmental damage, and blatant flouting of the PNF Code of Practice, under which the logging was approved. Hundreds of trees, many of them old-growth, were found to have been logged in breach of almost every section of the Code.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) was called in and a team of investigators descended on the property, spending 3 days documenting the reported breaches. Shortly thereafter, the new landowner received an email from the EPA stating: “We did carry out further inspections of your property yesterday. We focused on consolidating on (taking further waypoints, measurements, notes and photographs) what we observed with you on 21.09.18 in area A. We also inspected sites that you previously visited and earmarked as potential breaches of the PNF Code. So far we have recorded a range of breaches, many of which have been repeated across the landscape. 

This was good news, but as the months passed without further word, memories of past disappointments over the EPA's failure to regulate the logging industry, flooded back. The months dragged into years, and a week before the 2 year statute of limitations was reached, the landowner received the bad news that the EPA had closed the case, stating: “Although the EPA identified that there were potential breaches of the PNF Code of Practice, it was not possible to identify the responsible party to the requisite level of proof”.

What a load of balloney! The property owners operated a sawmill on the property for years, up until the land changed hands. How can it possibly be claimed that because nobody actually witnessed the trees being cut down, that no one could be held responsible?

Things have to change but I'm not holding my breath, and I fear recent EPA stop work orders over alleged illegal logging in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest will likewise end in disappointment.

            - John Edwards

This article was originally published in the VOICES FOR THE EARTH column in The Daily Examiner on August 17 ,  2020.

Re-Weavers Celebration 2018

An inspiring and enjoyable evening was had by all in attendance at the 11th annual Re-Weavers of the Tapestry Dinner held on Friday 1st June. As 2018 is the 30th Anniversary of the CVCC this year the work of 3 local environmental groups was celebrated. Peter Morgan (NPA), Leonie Blain (CVCC) and Claire Purvis (Aman) (CEC) gave presentations on the history and environmental work carried out by the 3 groups since their formation in the 1980's.

Special guest Jeremy Buckingham MLC, who spoke on the importance of community activism in protecting our environment, presented certificates to:
  * Clarence Valley Branch of the National Parks Association - accepted by Dr Greg Clancy
  * Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition - accepted by Bill Noonan
  * Clarence Environment Centre - accepted by Theo Jongen

Dr Greg Clancy, Bill Noonan, Theo Jongen & Jeremy Buckingham MLC

Jeremy Buckingham MLC, Leonie Blain, Claire Purvis (Aman) & Peter Morgan