Dear Hon. Steve Bracks

RE: Logging in East Gippsland

I am writing to you in regards to the logging of old growth forest in eastern states, particularly around Goolengook in East Gippsland and The Otways Ranges near Geelong. The Victorian RFA has failed dismally from day one and the entire forest industry needs a full review for it to survive.

The Goolengook area supports the most diverse range of temperate forest ecosystems on earth and also contains supports nine plants, animals or communities that are listed as threatened nder the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). At least 70% of forests logged ends up in woodchip form which is then exported to the 100% Japanese owned company Nippon Unipac. This company in question is the 7th largest conglomerate in the world and were formed when paper giant Nippon Paper merged with Daishowa.

Nippon Unipac will then pay governments as little as 9 cents royalty for each tonne of chips that will be re-brought by the same government for exorbitant amounts, often exceeding $10,000 a tonne. This is contributing to a massive net trade deficit in excess of $2 billion p/a, hence the logging of these areas is totally unsustainable in every way.

Alternative fibres for paper include straw, hemp, sugarcane and flax. Kenaf, an African plant, appears to boast exceptional qualities as an alternate fibre. This plant grows well in a variety of soils and offers a solution to make paper without killing trees. It is a fast growing plant that stems from the Hibiscus genus and can reach heights to five metres in as little as five months.

If our governments continue to choose timber as the number one source of fibre, then we have no other option but to lean toward timber plantations for all our needs. There are 1.5 million hectares (15,000 sq km) of established plantations across Australia today with this industry having increased by a massive 43% in just seven years

The logging of Australia’s last remaining 5% of old growth forests is totally out of control and needs to halt and retreat pronto before another ancient forest giant comes crashing down.