2015-12-07
MS DUNN — To ask the Minister for Agriculture: In relation to the logging coupe knows as “Rusty,” near the township of Toolangi, coupe address “297-547-0007”:
(1) What action is the Minister taking to “regenerate” this coupe.
(2) What is the advice of scientists in relation to the “regeneration” of this coupe.
(3) What is the total cost to date of the “regeneration” of this coupe.
(4) Is the Minister still considering conducting a “regeneration burn” at this coupe.
(5) If the answer to (4) is yes, when will this take place.
(6) When the coupe is being “regenerated,” will it be planted with the original Messmate eucalyptus plants, which grew in this area of forest prior to the logging which occurred in the early 20th Century, after which the coupe was planted with Mountain Ash or will the coupe be “regenerated” using Mountain Ash eucalyptus plants.
ANSWER:
I am informed that:
(1) VicForests agreed not to burn this site in autumn 2015, following concerns raised with the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water by local environmentalists and members of the Toolangi community. As a result, VicForests has taken on additional risk associated with the successful regeneration of this coupe. To ensure optimal management of this coupe, VicForests implemented a new system of harvesting (regrowth retention harvesting), which is currently being applied in the Central Highlands to assist the recovery of the Leadbeater's Possum. VicForests is currently considering two options to manage this coupe that will involve dividing the coupe into sections to enable burning and mechanical disturbance to be undertaken, which will ensure optimal regeneration success.
(2) VicForests has established best practice management of regeneration activities in accordance with the Native Forest Silviculture Guidelines series. This includes site preparation techniques for all coupes. A broadcast burn is the preferred operation to provide a suitable seedbed for regeneration, minimise soil disturbance and ensure seed sowing rates are adequate for this coupe.
(3) VicForests has spent $1200 to remove debris and protect habitat trees and other retained areas as part of post-harvest preparations for burning. VicForests will continue to manage this coupe to ensure regeneration meets commercial regeneration standards.
(4) As outlined in the answer to question one, VicForests is currently considering two options to manage this coupe.
(5) Regeneration activities take place in autumn, when conditions are routinely safe for burning. Autumn is also the best time for germination of seedlings to ensure establishment before summer.
(6) The “Rusty” site includes 3 species of eucalypt (mountain ash, messmate and mountain grey gum) that have naturally persisted since the 1939 bushfires. These species have either naturally regenerated following the 1939 bushfire or regenerated as a result of historic timber harvesting. VicForests will regenerate this site with a mix of:
– seed that is naturally occurring from trees within the local area, including mountain ash, messmate and mountain grey gum;
– seed sown by helicopter containing a mix of mountain ash, messmate and mountain grey gum that has been collected from the surrounding Toolangi Forests; and
– seedlings of mountain ash, messmate and mountain grey gum propagated from seed collected from the Toolangi Forest District.