NSW Labor Minister Slams Forestry Corporation Over Logging Plans Amid Endangered Glider Concerns
A former New South Wales government minister has come out swinging against the Forestry Corporation, calling for logging plans at a south coast forest to be scrapped due to concerns over endangered greater gliders.
Bob Debus, a former environment minister, says the corporation's own regulations are being "effectively part of its business model" as it breaches them so frequently. The move comes after citizen scientists recorded 102 trees that they claim contain the homes of greater gliders, a species listed as endangered in NSW.
If confirmed, this raises questions over whether logging can proceed at Glenbog forest, near the Deua national park, where conservationists are warning of irreparable damage to the unique ecosystem.
A citizen science team led by Andrew Wong from Wilderness Australia identified large hollows in old trees during daytime and waited until dusk to spot gliders emerging from their dens. The volunteers used thermal cameras and spotlights to detect the greater glider sightings, uploading them to a phone app which geolocated each sighting on a map.
The data was also sent to the government's BioNet site. Under state rules, logging is not allowed within 50 meters of known den trees. However, the Forestry Corporation's own surveys detected just four such trees in the area.
Wildlife experts are now warning that if logging goes ahead, it could be "ecological fraud." They argue that the corporation is conducting many surveys outside the crucial window when gliders emerge and failed to consider other factors like hollows on the other side of trees or deeper in the forest.
A spokesperson for the Forestry Corporation claims the company conducts nocturnal searches according to specific parameters, but experts say there's still room for improvement.
Conservationists are also worried about the impact on wombats. The nearby wildlife sanctuary has made an agreement with the Forestry Corporation not to damage wombat burrows during logging operations after a tragic incident in 2014 left many of the burrows destroyed and entrances sealed by machinery or timber.
The incident highlights the urgent need for greater transparency and cooperation between government agencies and conservation groups when it comes to protecting Australia's unique wildlife.
A former New South Wales government minister has come out swinging against the Forestry Corporation, calling for logging plans at a south coast forest to be scrapped due to concerns over endangered greater gliders.
Bob Debus, a former environment minister, says the corporation's own regulations are being "effectively part of its business model" as it breaches them so frequently. The move comes after citizen scientists recorded 102 trees that they claim contain the homes of greater gliders, a species listed as endangered in NSW.
If confirmed, this raises questions over whether logging can proceed at Glenbog forest, near the Deua national park, where conservationists are warning of irreparable damage to the unique ecosystem.
A citizen science team led by Andrew Wong from Wilderness Australia identified large hollows in old trees during daytime and waited until dusk to spot gliders emerging from their dens. The volunteers used thermal cameras and spotlights to detect the greater glider sightings, uploading them to a phone app which geolocated each sighting on a map.
The data was also sent to the government's BioNet site. Under state rules, logging is not allowed within 50 meters of known den trees. However, the Forestry Corporation's own surveys detected just four such trees in the area.
Wildlife experts are now warning that if logging goes ahead, it could be "ecological fraud." They argue that the corporation is conducting many surveys outside the crucial window when gliders emerge and failed to consider other factors like hollows on the other side of trees or deeper in the forest.
A spokesperson for the Forestry Corporation claims the company conducts nocturnal searches according to specific parameters, but experts say there's still room for improvement.
Conservationists are also worried about the impact on wombats. The nearby wildlife sanctuary has made an agreement with the Forestry Corporation not to damage wombat burrows during logging operations after a tragic incident in 2014 left many of the burrows destroyed and entrances sealed by machinery or timber.
The incident highlights the urgent need for greater transparency and cooperation between government agencies and conservation groups when it comes to protecting Australia's unique wildlife.
like, how do you even know they're there? I've seen some cool videos of them online but I always wondered if it was just fake or something... and now I'm worried about the forest 
what's gonna happen to all the other animals too? The wombats are already having trouble with their burrows... and isn't that whole thing like, super close to the logging zone? 50 meters is like, really short, right? shouldn't they be able to find those glider dens way before now? 
. I mean, who knew there were even gliders living in those trees? It's crazy that the Forestry Corporation is just ignoring all these conservation efforts and regulations... like, it's part of their business model or whatever 
. And don't even get me started on the wombat burrows - that's some serious animal welfare red flag right there 
. I think we need to hold the Forestry Corporation accountable for this, 'specially since they're supposed to be working with conservation groups in the first place 
. We can't just let them keep on logging away without considering the impact on our native wildlife 
.
. citizen scientists did some amazing work spotting glider homes and its not just about the gliders though, conservationists are right to be worried about wombat burrows too. gotta get a better system in place where gov agencies and conservation groups are working together not against each other 
so yeah i'm all for scrapping those plans ASAP 
. I mean, what kind of business model says "we'll ignore our own regulations if it means making some extra cash"? Not cool, mate.
! It's crazy how the Forestry Corporation can just keep logging without even checking if they're harming these little guys' habitats 
. 
. If logging goes ahead, it's not just ecological fraud – it's also putting an end to those adorable creatures' homes 
. 
. We need to make sure that our forests are protected, not just for the gliders but also for other unique species like wombats 
.
if those gliders are indeed endangered, we gotta think twice before chopping down trees in their habitat. it's like, the Forestry Corporation is all like 'regulations, schmegulations' 
seriously though, how can we expect conservation groups to work with the government if there's no transparency? 
.
is that they're trying to downplay the whole glider thing. Like, they can't even be bothered to do a proper nocturnal search 
? And don't even get me started on the wombat burrows 
. I mean, come on, Forestry Corporation! Can't you just take a page from their book and be more transparent about what's going down? 
. We've been seeing this kind of thing happen for years and no one seems to care until it affects some cute animal or something. It's time for the government to step in and set some real rules, you know? And what about transparency? If they're gonna conduct surveys, shouldn't they make sure those results are accurate? 
. Ultimately, this is about finding a balance between sustainable forestry practices and protecting our unique wildlife 
. Still, I do feel bad for those gliders and wombats... can't just let human interests trump nature's interests 
.
. they're already followin some pretty strict guidelines & regulations, can't expect them to magically find every single tree den 
. and what about the wombat burrows? ppl are worried bout those too, right? 
... I think we should be lookin at the bigger picture here & not just jump on the bandwagon w/ all this outrage 