MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 4 September 2024
Forestry Australia says Queensland Government have jumped the gun on Greater Glider Forest Park
Forestry Australia is disappointed the Miles Labor Government is jumping the gun in declaring a Greater Glider Forest Park.
Forestry Australia’s Acting President, Dr Bill Jackson, said while Forestry Australia supports conserving threatened species and habitats, the new commitment has been made without consultation, sound evidence or the application of good governance principles.
The comments come in the wake of Environment Minister Leanne Linard announcing 54,000 hectares of greater glider habitat in South East Queensland state forest will be transitioned to a new natural capital tenure.
“The Queensland Sustainable Timber Industry Framework was established two months ago to provide government advice and it is due to run until the middle of 2025,” Dr Jackson said.
“The Framework’s first meeting was only held two weeks ago yet, the Miles Government has jumped the gun and made this announcement without even taking the time to get appropriate advice.
“Good policy needs to be based on sound evidence and assessments and the proposal of the Queensland Government fails on all of this.
“The assumption that harvesting timber from native forests is necessarily harmful to biodiversity is not correct and there is indeed strong evidence that forests need to be managed actively.
“Well managed forests generate a wide range of ecosystem services, including carbon storage, water, recreational opportunities and fibre, that generate considerable benefits for people while also conserving biodiversity.
“It is time to move away from the binary approach of commercial forests vs protected areas and consider a more nuanced approach that considers active and adaptive management along a continuum of sustainable management interventions.
“A sustainable future without the use of locally sourced timber, evidence-based biodiversity conservation and effective climate change mechanisms is a nonsense,” Dr Jackson said.
ENDS
ABOUT FORESTRY AUSTRALIA
Forestry Australia is an independent professional association of more than 1,200 forest scientists, managers and growers who work in native forests, plantations and provision of environmental services. Its members are committed to the principles of sustainable forest management and applying these principles to generate environmental, social and economic outcomes in all types of forests and land tenures.
ABOUT DR BILL JACKSON
Bill Jackson is an adjunct Professor with the Tropical Forest and People Research Centre of the University of the Sunshine Coast and an independent consultant with over 40 years’ experience in forest conservation and management, protected area management and community development. Bill was the chief author for the Australia State of Environment Report 2016, and he held the positions of Chief Executive of Parks Victoria and Director of National Parks from late 2010 until mid-2015. Prior to his appointment to Parks Victoria, he was Deputy Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
For further information: Becher Townshend 0418 370 661