Destruction of Mature Tree Geebungs – Breach Report – 461-503-0006 'Glanworth'
WOTCH surveyors assessed VicForests active coupe 461-503-0006 ‘Glanworth’ for threatened flora on the afternoon of June 22nd, 2020. Surveyors found that a large portion of the gross area had already been harvested, and that the coupe was active with machinery present within the coupe. Many small branches and foliage of the threatened Tree Geebung (Persoonia arborea) were found along a fresh logging track in the north-western corner of the coupe that had recently been pushed toward the creek. Along this track WOTCH surveyors identified and recorded at least two mature Tree Geebungs which had recently been pushed over and destroyed by VicForests machinery, the destruction appeared to have occurred within a week. This report documents the destruction of Tree Geebungs in VicForests ‘Glanworth’ coupe in breach of the ‘Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests’ under clause 4.3.1.1 ‘apply management actions for rare and threatened flora’ and the ‘Code of Practice for Timber Production’ under clause 2.2.2.2 ‘The Precautionary Principle’.