At its meeting on 23 October 2010 the South East Region Conservation Alliance resolved unanimously to support:
1. an exit from native forest logging on public lands
2. the Tasmanian Statement of Principles as a basis for reform of native forestry in NSW
At its meeting on 23 October 2010 the South East Region Conservation Alliance resolved unanimously to oppose:
1. the use of native forest biomass for electricity generation or any other industrial uses
SERCA proposes
Public native forests managed for carbon sequestration, and water and biodiversity values Private native forest owners given incentives to conserve forest areas
Existing plantation supplies used for virtually all Australia’s domestic and export uses. No new plantations are needed No native forest products for woodchips, electricity generation or biofuel Government policy distortions removed Genuinely clean, green industries developed in the regions, with new industries, new jobs and job training. 77% of people polled in 2009 want no logging at all in native forests and the Eden chip mill closed. Why do state and federal governments continue to support it when Forestry NSW and Victoria admit to losing millions of dollars supplying pulplogs to the woodchip mills? Australia recognises the importance of foreign forests for climate so why do we continue to subsidise the destruction and degradation of Australian native forests in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW?? Now there are plans to burn native forest wood for electricity under the Renewable Energy Mandate. This power will undercut and displace true renewable power from wind, solar, tidal and geothermal sources. Because Australia has more than enough existing plantation hard and soft woods to supply virtually all our timber and fibre needs we should end the intensive logging of native forests while supporting the transition to existing plantations leaving native forests to mature and store carbon.
Some tasks and projects SERCA’s member groups have worked on in 2012
– Served as the principal regional voice and advocate for the environment, especially the south east forests in media and other public spheres.
– Campaigned successfully with other like minded groups against the Prime Minister’s stated aim of handing over its responsibilities under its principal environment law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act to State Governments.
– Campaigned sucessfully against allowing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for native forests. This led to the withdrawal of the next big threat to the region’s forests, a wood fired power station development application.
– South East Forest Rescue took direct action such as forest blockades, protests at the chipmill and support by some member groups for participants who suffered penalties as a result of taking part in such activities.
– Consulted with founders of the Great Southern Koala Sanctuary www.gsks.org.au
– South East Forest Rescue systematically monitored and collated breaches of logging rules.
– South East Forest Rescue successfully challenged Bega Valley Shire Council’s initial approval of a pellet plant at the Eden chipmill in the Land and Environment Court.
– Organised local campaigns against logging in particular forests such as Tanja, including community meetings such as the one held in the Tathra Hall.
– Promoted the concept that Marine Parks need forests for healthy estuaries and fish and shell fish nurseries – all one system
– Targetted and spoke directly to the majority owner of the Eden chipmill, Nippon Paper. This major focus included campaigns to persuade Australian customers not to buy Nippon Paper products, placement of advertisements in local papers, social media, co-ordination with other regional campaigns in other States.
– Chipstop engaged the public and supporters through social media, on line petitions such as via Change.org and Go- petition, cyber letters, Facebook pages and causes.
– Maintained and expanded alliances, working locally with climate and other groups, with Nature Conservation Council (NCC), and nationally as part of Australian Forest and Climate Alliance (AFCA).
– Presented submissions to Parliamentary and other Government inquiries, letters to politicians, letters to newspapers, media releases and articles for magazines.
– Monitored industry activity and trends through on ground activities such as truck counts, shipping records, Government
– Information (Public Access) (GIPA) requests, Questions on Notice and so on.
– Assisted Araluen Valley Producers and Protectors Of The Ecosystems Coalition (Avppec) in their challenge to the Dargues Reef Gold Mine DA by WA mining company Cortona to negotiate for better environmental outcomes at Majors Creek.
– Recorded local environmental issues, activities, media reports, communications and research regarding protection of the environment, on the SERCA website.
South East Region of NSW Conservation Highlights of 2011
– Forests and Climate Forum. SERCA sponsored this forum held on 13.08.2011 at ANU, Canberra. Speakers from many disciplines covered topics including carbon accounting, biodiversity, sustainability and fire, legal issues and forest climate action.
– Natural Forests, Australia’s Wilderness Coast. Travelling photographic exhibition which captures the beauty of the SE region of NSW as taken by some of Australia’s most renown photographers. Exhibitions held in Bermagui, Sydney, Canberra, Bodalla and Melbourne.
– Protest action Mumbulla State Forest Public meeting at Tathra Hall
– Stalls at Bega Festival
– Public forum at Twyford Hall, Merimbula SERCA Forest Tour
– Radio advertisements from the don’t make me laugh campaign Travelling billboard Save the Forests
– Public forums at Bega CWA Hall and Bermagui CWA Hall Public forum with Bob Brown at the Community Hall Bermagui.