Wilderness Australia's media release regarding the Stop Work Order issued last night by the NSW Environment Protection Authority over logging operations in Tallaganda State Forest.
The EPA’s stop work order must lead to permanent protection for greater gliders
Thursday 31 August 2023
Wilderness Australia welcomes the Stop Work Order issued last night by the NSW Environment Protection Authority over logging operations in Tallaganda State Forest, east of Canberra.
Wilderness Australia submitted an urgent request for an investigation to the EPA, into the logging of seven compartments of core greater glider habitat in Tallaganda State Forest, on Monday 28 August. By Wednesday 30 August, the EPA had issued an immediate stop work order.
Their statement is available here.
The Chair of Wilderness Australia, Bob Debus, said:
“We instantly knew that this was a make or break moment for the survival of the Greater Glider in the South Coast of NSW. Our complaint was vindicated yesterday when the EPA ordered an immediate cessation of logging. The EPA undertook a field inspection to verify Forestry Corporation’s success in protecting the greater glider during their operations. Instead, they found a dead greater glider right next to the logging area.”
“I would like to acknowledge the swift action to assert environmental protection laws and regulations by the NSW EPA and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe.”
“We’ve long been concerned at the apparent efforts of the Forestry Corporation to undermine environmental policy in NSW. As a publicly owned body, the Forestry Corporation should be attempting to minimise environmental damage during logging operations. Instead, they appear to be deliberately targeting the areas of highest conservation value within the State Forest estate for destruction.”
“The Stop Work Order is in place for 40 days while further investigations unfold. Wilderness Australia urges the NSW Government to extend this temporary reprieve into permanent protection for Greater Gliders. Without it, we fear that greater gliders may be headed for a local extinction event on the South Coast of NSW.”