This photograph was taken by Chris Arndt on 16 January 2003VEAC’S Proposal to recommend an increase the amount of forest debris from 20 tonne to 45 tonne per hectare, as proposed in the ‘draft proposals paper for the River Red Gum Forests Investigation is unbelievable!
I understand that this recommendation has been developed in order to increase the habitat for the yellow-footed antechinus in the red gum forests. The yellow-footed antechinus can be found in both up land and lowland areas, eucalypt woodlands and rainforests. Local knowledge confirms that the yellow-footed antechinus is living and breeding in the local area very well, even in more open parts of the forest that have decreased levels of forest debris. They have even been relocated from people’s back yards.
VEAC’s recommendation to increase the forest debris will result in our local bush looking like a rubbish tip, and becoming an increased fire hazard .......... all to provide additional habitat for a marsupial that actually survives in a variety of conditions.
Imagine the devastation of an uncontrolled fire whipping through a forest with that much debris on the forest floor. The chairperson of VEAC has stated at a public forum that increased fuel loads in the bush will be managed with controlled burns. Won’t that burn the yellow-footed antechinus habitat and the marsupial itself? Why plan to increase fuel loads in the bush only to plan for controlled burns?
I understand that this recommendation has been developed in order to increase the habitat for the yellow-footed antechinus in the red gum forests. The yellow-footed antechinus can be found in both up land and lowland areas, eucalypt woodlands and rainforests. Local knowledge confirms that the yellow-footed antechinus is living and breeding in the local area very well, even in more open parts of the forest that have decreased levels of forest debris. They have even been relocated from people’s back yards.
VEAC’s recommendation to increase the forest debris will result in our local bush looking like a rubbish tip, and becoming an increased fire hazard .......... all to provide additional habitat for a marsupial that actually survives in a variety of conditions.
Imagine the devastation of an uncontrolled fire whipping through a forest with that much debris on the forest floor. The chairperson of VEAC has stated at a public forum that increased fuel loads in the bush will be managed with controlled burns. Won’t that burn the yellow-footed antechinus habitat and the marsupial itself? Why plan to increase fuel loads in the bush only to plan for controlled burns?
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