Facebook Fireworks Fizzle Out!
There were a number of conversations being held on Facebook early in January 2011, about whether any fireworks events planned for Australia Day should be cancelled and the money donated to the various flood relief appeals. There is little conversation at all on Twitter or Facebook, in 2012, about the recurring flooding and some poor people on the east coast who have already endured five months of flooding with little respite in view.
Facebook pages were quickly set up to engage the discussion and the overwhelming view was that it was too late to cancel in 2011 and in the light of the flood tragedies on the East Coast and the terrible fires south of Perth, the fireworks shows should go ahead. Mostly for reasons of community support and social well being.
Conversations wandered off topic some times, there was lively
interaction and it is very clear that being able to communicate openly through Social Media is a good thing.
Two of my favourite friends on Facebook, Bob Litchfield and Bronwyn Clee had excellent comments in their Facebook streams.
My personal view was this: Let the fireworks go ahead – they help bring people together and celebrate life. Have fundraising buckets at the events. Charge a gold coin for entry. You will raise a lot of money and let people have some enjoyment.It’s too easy to cancel good things, thinking it’s the right thing to do, often out of a subliminal sense of guilt that we shouldn’t be enjoying anything, while others suffer.
Cancelling the fireworks would be counter-productive when the country needs something cheerful and bright to bring it together.
On the Stories My Nana Tells Facebook page, I wrote
Thinking I should write a Nana story about Guy Fawkes night in the country, when we were kids. Spent weeks building bonfires; were allowed to stay up really late; catherine wheels; sparklers; penny bombs and tom thumbs; sky rockets and in the morning we kids would be up at the crack of dawn to trawl all the bonfire sit es for crackers and fireworks missed in the dark. Heaps of fun. Too late to cancel them now.
There were other excellent streams, too, speaking about the need to restore normality; the need for children to have the sense of security of being able to attend an event long planned and anticipated; that most of the money had already been spent and Governments and organisers would have to meet their contractural obligations for the events, whether they took place or not.
Think Mellen Events, A Day On The Green and the concerts - We Play, Rain Or Shine.
Kerry Beake had a great stream too:
So many people are suggesting we skip Australia Day fireworks and give the money to flood victims. It’s normal to want to help and do whatever we can. Perspective can make all the difference in the way we help and helping the best way we can. Sometimes the best way to help is to maintain normality. Children especially need this as a way to cope.
There is no doubt that being connected with Social Media played a most important role in minimising stress and needless worry during the floods in Queensland and those rising in Victoria and Tasmania. During the terrible fires south of Perth, at the beginning of 2011 and again in 2012, Social Media was invaluable.
Being able to use Twitter and Facebook, in particular, provided many families with relief and helped emergency services in ways never previously possible. Official Police and Emergency Facebook Pages communicated critical information that undoubtedly saved many lives. Twitter, in particular, came of age in Australia as a serious and respected source of news, photos, videos and support.
It’s a great thing – to be able to talk, laugh, cry and reach out a comforting hand in an instant.
But we have to ask the question: How long lasting is the empathy, the support and the help that is generated so quickly on Social Media?
There were some fireworks in the discussion streams, in January 2011. By January, 2012, they seem to have fizzled out to less than a splutter – as social media moves on to the next “big thing”. Mostly about not being able to drink while at the Australia Day SkyWorks in Perths – or cancelling them in the future because they are not a good ROI for the City of Perth which mostly foots the bill.
Has the genuine goodwill of January 2011 been overwhelmed by the magnitude of the ongoing floods on the East Coast? Are the bush fires of Western Australia of such magnitude we cannot bear to think of 200,000 hectares of forest burned beyond recognition, with its catastrophic loss of wildlife?
What do you think?
Exceptional Quality – Remarkable Company – Great Networking
An Invitation to Breakfast on March 9, 2012.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy the exceptional quality of several of the Proteus Leadership Breakfast series in 2011 and in fact took the time to write one of them up in my blog. ‘Fess It Up and Fix it
Proteus have generously offered the opportunity for me to invite nine friends to their first Leadership Breakfast in Perth as my guests and I would like to extend the invitation to you, to be one of the nine who join me for an inspiring session at the Pan Pacific Hotel (formerly the Sheraton).
Richard Dore’s advice to “Fess It Up and Fix It” was an engaging session on empowering staff to respond to customer’s issues and fix them, rather than escalate them; that good customer service pays off and teaching staff how to provide good service is an investment rather than a cost. Empower them, he said, and then get out of the way while they get on with it.
Proteus certainly endorses learning and networking as key elements in developing Leadership Skills This is a gift – to introduce you to their business and their remarkable leadership workshops. I hope you will join us!
Please send me a SMS to 0417925502 to confirm you are accepting this invitation and we will be in touch closer to the date.
Warmest regards
Lesley Dewar
Help Us Save The Numbats, Pygmy Possum and The Black Cockatoos’ Habitat.
Back to Warrup – and we need your support.
White tailed Cockatoos and their cousins, the Red Tails, are being forced from their breeding hollows in the tree tops of our South West forests, while on the ground huge yellow bulldozers are crushing every living thing in their path. Why? Because the current Liberal Government continues to allow clear felling of high value conservation forest and so called “selective” logging in areas long regarded as sanctuaries for our iconic native wildlife like numbats, mainland quokkas and Western pigmy possum. There are many other unique little creatures, too.
Hello, I am a baby western Pygmy Possum. My home in the south west of Australia is now being pushed down by yellow machines. I do not know where I will live when I grow up. Warrup, Arcadia, and other forests where my brothers and sisters live are being lost each day. Will you help save my home?
Please can you help me share my voice and contact all your representatives about protecting my home. Like me, you are important, so please have your say. Nationals WA The Premier of Western Australia or email to the Environment Minister Minister.Marmion@dpc.wa.gov.au
How Can You Help Support The Warrup Camp?
Lesley Dewar is planning on another trip down to Warrup and to see the new Numbat Rescue Centre down there – she will be leaving around mid day on Thursday. The guys and girls at the camp need some non-perishable food for support. So:
1. Can you help, by supplying some non perishable food? What can we take down there:
- Baked beans;
- hearty soups;
- tinned meals like Irish Stew, Beef and Vegetables etc;
- Dolphin friendly canned Tuna in brine;
- long life UHT milk cartons;
- good coffee (granulated);
- tea bags – breakfast tea and Earl Grey;
- muesli bars;
- dried fruit;
- nuts;
- tinned vegetables and tinned fruit;
- sardines;
- tinned salmon;
- Ryvita or similar biscuits;
- raw sugar;
- cooking oil;
- dry pasta and pasta sauce;
2. Is anyone available to act as a collection point for their family and friends and she will arrange for pick up on Thursday morning (please be within cooee of East Victoria Park or can a couple of you get together and do a delivery to my house? We can also arrange to have someone else collect foodstuffs and bring it down.
3. She is taking down a cutlery set and a couple of frying pans and a big saucepan (a pressure cooker that has lost its lid). In the meantime, she has to buy a decent sleeping bag!!!
This is my Adoption Certificate for My Numbat at the Perth Zoo
What Do You Know About Numbats?
The Numbat is a medium sized marsupial that many people confuse with a meerkat or a squirrel (neither of which are native to Australia). It has a pointy nose, runs on four legs, has black and white stripes on its back and has a bushy tale. The Numbat is a specialised feeder which means it only one eats thing and in the Numbat’s case it’s termites. About 20,000 of them. Every day. Learn more about Numbats here:
Perth Walkabout – Project Numbat
Torching Our Forests or Managing The Fire Risks?
As regular readers of this blog will know, Lesley Dewar is helping to campaign for conservation and protection of both our high value conservation forests and their unique native inhabitants. She is passionate about helping to raise awareness of conservation issues.
This post has on purpose: to provide links to a variety of points of view and people whose opinions are highly divergent. It is easy:
- to shout down those whose views do not agree with yours;
- to deride academics or activists as ” armchair critics” when they may not have had intense physical interaction with bushfires;
- to ignore the right of everyone to express their point of view;
- to fail to support the views of others who have a credible story to tell
- to deny evidence because you do not approve or like or accept by whom it is presented;
Readers are invited to read, review and comment. The notes in italics have been added by the author or sourced as a quote from the link. The links to the You Tube videos have not been edited for the sake of appearance.
Don’t Torch The Tingles.
Uploaded to You Tube by WAforests on May 17, 2011
The last of our pre European Tingle Forest is to be firebombed next summer 2011/2012. This is the last large example of long unburnt OPEN FLOOR Tingle Forest left in the world, solely due to it being without fire for 80 years, allowing the understory to collapse and decompose creating this Park Land Forest with declining litter or fuel levels.
At the date of uploading, we had not been able to confirm whether the proposed burning had been carried out. The video offers suggestions on alternative areas to be selected for the proposed burning which may be more effective than the initially selected site.
Wildfire WA part 1 (Waterbush)
Uploaded to You Tube by WAforests on May 25, 2011
Controlled forest burning in Western Australia is making the forest more flammable and therefore more dangerous.
A very interesting video on the proliferation of vegetation which seeds well after burning.
Wildfire WA part 2 (Waterbush)
Uploaded to You Tube by WAforests on Jun 5, 2011
The WA government, under Colin Barnett, is encouraging the destruction of native forest animals by destroying their habitat.
The second video in the series, it offers alternative ideas on proposed burning actions.
Water Flower (Florabase Dept Environment and Conservation)
South West Western Australia on a budget
Uploaded to You Tube by RadioLynxContent on Dec 2, 2011
One of the worries about taking a holiday of a lifetime is that it is going to cost you the earth, but in south west Western Australia that needn’t be the case.
With strong calls by the author for more attention to eco-tourism, videos like this help promote the South West as a good tourism destination.
Bush Fire Front: The Alliance Against Bushfire Damage in WA
The Bush Fire Front is a Western Australian voluntary organisation dedicated to protecting householders, farmers and forests from the ravages of bushfires. Our focus is the southwest corner of WA, where hundreds of thousands of people, valuable property, public assets and priceless forests are threatened by wildfire.
We are practical bushfire specialists, with hundreds of years’ accumulated experience in preventing bushfire damage to people, property and forests. We are a group of West Australians deeply concerned to prevent bushfire damage to people, lives and forests. Each of us has worked in bushfire prevention, bushfire science, fire planning, administration or operations for over 35 years
http://bushfirefront.com.au/opinion/general-fire-management-issues
Quote: We need a return to the sort of fire management regime used by aboriginal people in ages past. The beautiful forests and landscapes that the first European settlers found were the product of frequent mild burning, not of massive high intensity fires which blackened the landscape over millions of hectares, which is what the current approach is doing.
South West Fire Services
South West Fire Services is a Busselton based Fire Management Consultancy. Established in 2001, we specialise in management of fire in the natural environment, with emphasis on protection of the biodiversity values, property, and life. With a combined total of over 100 years in practical fire management, we can offer practical advice based on extensive fire and land management experience
John Evans is the director of SWFS, with nearly 40 years experience with DEC in District and Regional Fire Management roles throughout the SW. Primary responsibilities included planning and managing fire management programmes, wildfire suppression operations (Level 3 Incident Controller), fire training, preparation of technical and reference material, liaising with state and local government agencies, and forest management companies etc. Specialising in Karri, Tingle and Jarrah forest fire management, but with a wide range of experience across WA, he is based in Busselton.
http://www.bushfireservices.com.au/about-us/john-evans/
DEC: Science Division Research Project:
The impact of wildfire in old growth forest of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park on short-range endemic invertebrates and their forest floor communities
This study, established in December 2001, was designed to involve and educate the local volunteers in the establishment of a long-term invertebrate collection
Profile link for Paul Van Heurck http://science.dec.wa.gov.au/people/?sid=117#profile
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Arthropods, beetle fire ecology, beta richness, Bushfire CRC, Coleoptera biodiversity, fire mosaics, ForestCheck beetles, rarefaction, structural diversity, trophic guilds, Walpole beetles, Walpole protocol, wildfire impacts
http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/5898/1808/
At the date of posting, the author had not been able to contact Paul Van Heurck and has not yet accessed any information on the results of the study.
The Minister for Forestry – emailed February 11.2102
Subject: Logging of Warrup, near Bridgetown and vandalism of our Forests.
Honourable Terry Redman MLA
Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Corrective Services
11th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005
Dear Minister Redman,
In your role as Minister for Forestry, you must be deeply disturbed by the continuing reports coming out of our forests in the South West about the vandalism of both DEC and FPC. The attached picture is a blatant example of what little regard is being shown for the guidelines and good forestry practices.
In the first picture, you will see a perfect nesting hollow is on the chopping block in Warrup. Worse still, it is in a one hectare area that was closely examined yesterday (wed 8 Feb) in which only 2 trees have been marked for retention. FPC is supposed to retain a minimum of 11. DEC refuses to stop the logging to investigate.
In the second, these two beautiful high quality habitat trees, a jarrah in the foreground and marri 
behind, are not marked for protection. They will be cut down despite there being only 2 habitat trees marked in the hectare where they stand.
This video of FPC deliberately poisoning Marri trees is being widely circulated on the Internet and it is the Ministers of this Government who will have to take responsibility for their actions. Not just those directly responsible for those departments, but all associated Ministers who were made aware and did not cry out for it to stop. http://youtu.be/ItILkPwGQYE
Minister Redman – as the Minister for Forests, you have a direct responsibility to speak up and have an immediate end to logging in high value conservation forests UNTIL demands for proper habitat and wildlife surveys have been completed to ensure we do not continue making our unique wildlife extinct. There is a huge market for Eco-tourism and our South West Forests should be at the forefront of this, along with our winery tours and surfing.
Yours faithfully
Lesley Dewar
51 Beatty Avenue
East Victoria Park 6101
The Minister for Police and Road Safety – emailed February 11.2102
Subject: Poor Use Of Police Resources Angers Citizens
Honourable Rob Johnson JP MLA
Minister for Police; Road Safety
20th Floor, Governor Stirling Tower
197 St Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
Dear Minister Johnson,
In your role as the Minister for Police and Road Safety, you must be deeply disturbed by the continuing reports coming out of our forests in the South West about the vandalism of both DEC and FPC. We see police resources being used over and over again to allow the FPC to engage in practices which their own guidelines clearly tells us are in breach of forest management requirements. This is a matter which will continue to be of high priority for voters who do not want our Government to stand by and allow our unique native animals rendered extinct nor do they want to see valuable police resources being used to prevent citizens like myself being able to protest against the vandalism of our forests.
Having spent a short time at Warrup last week and met the officers charged with issuing move on notices to protestors, two things were very clear to me. The local police do not like being the instruments of poor political practices and were very polite in dealing with the protesters because they are charged with doing their job. Secondly, the use of move on notices appears to have been perverted from their original intention and are now a tool for infringing on civil liberties – with substantial financial penalties attached if the order is ignored.
The protestors at Warrup Block 6 were in no way violent nor did their protests take any kind of physical action against the police – while they did maintain their right to physically be present for as long as possible. There are good reason why this has to be done.
Australia has a history of allowing indigenous wildlife to be killed, through the destruction of habitat, and it appears we have learned little from the past. Why is the current Government not taking every step within its power to secure the future of our numbats (the State Fauna Emblem) and the iconic Black Cockatoos? The electorate is crying out for conservation and strong leadership from Ministers like yourself – who can get our native animals and birds protected and saved for future generations. Interview With Ben (age 10) About Saving Forests
The attached pictures are blatant examples of what little regard is being shown for the guidelines and good forestry practices.
In the first picture, you will see a perfect nesting hollow which is on the chopping block in Warrup. Worse still, it is in a one hectare area that was closely examined yesterday (wed 8 Feb) in which only 2 trees have been marked for retention. FPC is supposed to retain a minimum of 11. DEC refuses to stop the logging to investigate.
In the second, these two beautiful high quality habitat trees, a jarrah in the foreground and marri behind, are not marked for protection. They will be cut down despite there being only 2 habitat trees marked in the hectare where they stand.
Minister Johnson, there are literally hundreds of these photographs, evidence of terrible breaches of forestry guidelines and arrogant disregard for quarantine practices, now being circulated on the Internet – so the witnesses are there. This Government will be held to account.
This video of FPC deliberately poisoning Marri trees is being widely circulated on the Internet and it is the Ministers of this Government who will have to take responsibility for their actions. Not just those directly responsible for those departments, but all Ministers who were made aware and did not cry out for it to stop. http://youtu.be/ItILkPwGQYE
Minister Johnson – in particular as the Minister for Police, you have a direct responsibility to speak up and have an immediate end brought to logging in high conservation value forests UNTIL demands for proper habitat and wildlife surveys have been completed to ensure we do not continue making our unique wildlife extinct. We need our police on the roads and in our communities – not being wasted in the pursuit of quiet protestors who seek only to have FPC and DEC fulfill their own obligations to the community and the forests, along with the unique wildlife that lives therein.
There is a huge market for Eco-tourism and our South West Forests should be at the forefront of this, along with our winery tours and surfing. Rather than subsidizing an industry that is long overdue to be phased out completely, we should be doing everything we can to support tourism in a healthy and well managed forest. While our Museums, Zoos, Local Councils and wildlife groups do everything they can to engage the community in conservation, the Government is sitting on its hands and ignoring the most horrendous forest practices which can and must be brought to an end, immediately.
The benefits for your local police staff would be great, because bringing healthy economics into small country towns increases local employment and helps reduce local crime. Improved police morale is good for the whole community and their not having to engage with protestors whose only aim is to protect our unique wildlife and its habitat will go a long way to improving the overall quality of life for them and those they protect.
Yours faithfully
Lesley Dewar
51 Beatty Avenue
East Victoria Park 6101
The Minister for Finance, Commerce and Small Business – emailed February 11.2012
Subject: Small Business Suffers From Government’s Short Term Vision
Honourable Simon O’Brien MLC
Minister for Finance; Commerce; Small Business
13th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005
Dear Minister O’Brien,
In your role as the Minister for Finance, Commerce and Small Business, you must be deeply disturbed by the continuing reports coming out of our forests in the South West about the vandalism of both DEC and FPC. This is a matter which will continue to be of high priority for voters who do not want our Government to stand by and allow our unique native animals rendered extinct.
Australia has a history of allowing indigenous wildlife to be killed, through the destruction of habitat, and it appears we have learned little from the past. Why is the current Government not taking every step within its power to secure the future of our numbats (the State Fauna Emblem) and the iconic Black Cockatoos? The children of Western Australia are crying out for conservation and strong leadership from Ministers like yourself – who can get our native animals and birds protected and saved for future generations. Interview With Ben
The attached pictures are blatant examples of what little regard is being shown for the guidelines and good forestry practices.
In the first picture, you will see a perfect nesting hollow which is on the chopping block in Warrup. Worse still, it is in a one hectare area that was closely examined yesterday (wed 8 Feb) in which only 2 trees have been marked for retention. FPC is supposed to retain a minimum of 11. DEC refuses to stop the logging to investigate.
In the second, these two beautiful high quality habitat trees, a jarrah in the foreground and marri behind, are not marked for protection. They will be cut down despite there being only 2 habitat trees marked in the hectare where they stand.
Minister O’Brien, there are literally hundreds of these photographs, evidence of terrible breaches of forestry guidelines and arrogant disregard for quarantine practices, now being circulated on the Internet – so the witnesses are there. This Government will be held to account.
This video of FPC deliberately poisoning Marri trees is being widely circulated on the Internet and it is the Ministers of this Government who will have to take responsibility for their actions. Not just those directly responsible for those departments, but all Ministers who were made aware and did not cry out for it to stop. http://youtu.be/ItILkPwGQYE
Minister O’Brien – in particular as the Minister for Finance, Commerce and Small Business, you have a direct responsibility to speak up and have an immediate end brought to logging in high conservation value forests UNTIL demands for proper habitat and wildlife surveys have been completed to ensure we do not continue making our unique wildlife extinct. This Government not only allows this vandalism but underpins it with financial agreements that protect commercial operators in the event of their financial failure!
There is a huge market for Eco-tourism and our South West Forests should be at the forefront of this, along with our winery tours and surfing. Rather than subsidizing an industry that is long overdue to be phased out completely, we should be doing everything we can to support tourism in a healthy and well managed forest. While our Museums, Zoos, Local Councils and wildlife groups do everything they can to engage the community in conservation, the Government is sitting on its hands and ignoring the most horrendous forest practices which can and must be brought to an end, immediately.
The benefits for small business would be great, if we were less concerned with propping up a dying industry and used those funds to create new jobs in eco-tourism.
Yours faithfully
Lesley Dewar
51 Beatty Avenue
East Victoria Park 6101
The Minister for Education – emailed February 11. 2012
Subject: Unique WA Species face extinction while the Govt fiddles.
Honourable Dr Elizabeth Constable MA(Syd) DipEd(UNE) MEd(Harvard) PhD(UWA) MLA
Minister for Education
19th Floor, Governor Stirling Tower
197 St Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
Dear Minister Constable,
In your role as the Minister for Education, you must be deeply disturbed by the continuing reports coming out of our forests in the South West about the vandalism of both DEC and FPC. This is a matter which will continue to be of high priority for voters who do not want our Government to stand by and allow our unique native animals rendered extinct.
Australia has a history of allowing indigenous wildlife to be killed, through the destruction of habitat, and it appears we have learned little from the past. Where in the curriculum will we be teaching our children that this current West Australian Government had it within their power to secure the future of our numbats (the State Fauna Emblem) and the iconic Black Cockatoos and failed to act? The children of Australia are crying out for conservation and strong leadership from Ministers like yourself – who can get our native animals and birds protected and saved for future generations.
This is a record of my interview with Ben.
The attached pictures are blatant examples of what little regard is being shown for the guidelines and good forestry practices.
In the first picture, you will see a perfect nesting hollow which is on the chopping block in Warrup. Worse still, it is in a one hectare area that was closely examined yesterday (wed 8 Feb) in which only 2 trees have been marked for retention. FPC is supposed to retain a minimum of 11. DEC refuses to stop the logging to investigate.
In the second, these two beautiful high quality habitat trees, a jarrah in the foreground and marri behind, are not marked for protection. They will be cut down despite there being only 2 habitat trees marked in the hectare where they stand.
Minister Constable, there are literally hundreds of these photographs, evidence of terrible breaches of forestry guidelines and arrogant disregard for quarantine practices, now being circulated on the Internet – so the witnesses are there.
This video of FPC deliberately poisoning Marri trees is being widely circulated on the Internet and it is the Ministers of this Government who will have to take responsibility for their actions. Not just those directly responsible for those departments, but all Ministers who were made aware and did not cry out for it to stop. http://youtu.be/ItILkPwGQYE
Minister Constable – in particular as the Minister for Education, you have a direct responsibility to speak up and have an immediate end brought to logging in high conservation value forests UNTIL demands for proper habitat and wildlife surveys have been completed to ensure we do not continue making our unique wildlife extinct. How are we ever to educate our children and grandchildren to show respect for the planet, their country and our wildlife, while Government not only allows this vandalism but underpins it with financial agreements that protect commercial operators in the event of their financial failure!
There is a huge market for Eco-tourism and our South West Forests should be at the forefront of this, along with our winery tours and surfing. Rather than subsidizing an industry that is long overdue to be phased out completely, we should be doing everything we can to support tourism in a healthy and well managed forest. While our Museums, Zoos, Local Councils and wildlife groups do everything they can to engage children in conservation, the Government is sitting on its hands and ignoring the most horrendous forest practices which can and must be brought to an end, immediately.
Yours faithfully
Lesley Dewar
51 Beatty Avenue
East Victoria Park 6101
The Treasurer and Attorney General of Western Australia – emailed February 11.2012
Subject: High Conservation Value Forests Vandalised by FPC and DEC
Honourable Christian Porter BA(Hons) BEc LLB(UWA) MSc(Dist)(LSE)MLA
Treasurer; Attorney General
21st Floor, Governor Stirling Tower
197 St George’s Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
Dear Minister Porter,
In your roles as the Treasurer and Attorney General, you must be deeply disturbed by the continuing reports coming out of our forests in the South West about the vandalism of both DEC and FPC. This is a matter which will continue to be of high priority for voters who do not want our Government to stand by and allow our unique native animals rendered extinct, while you pursue unsustainable commercial interests which are not for the good of the State overall. The financial cost of supporting a few 100 jobs in the logging industry will not be ignored nor should it be. There is deep concern about the liability to taxpayers in the recently signed underpinning of financial agreements for the reopening of the mill at Deanmill, for example.
The attached pictures are blatant examples of what little regard is being shown for the guidelines and good forestry practices.
In the first picture, you will see a perfect nesting hollow which is on the chopping block in Warrup. Worse still, it is in a one hectare area that was closely examined yesterday (wed 8 Feb) in which only 2 trees have been marked for retention. FPC is supposed to retain a minimum of 11. DEC refuses to stop the logging to investigate.
In the second, these two beautiful high quality habitat trees, a jarrah in the foreground and marri behind, are not marked for protection. They will be cut down despite there being only 2 habitat trees marked in the hectare where they stand.
Minister Porter, there are literally hundreds of these kinds of photographs, evidence of terrible breaches of forestry guidelines and arrogant disregard for quarantine practices, now being circulated on the Internet – so the witnesses are there.
This video of FPC deliberately poisoning Marri trees is being widely circulated on the Internet and it is the Ministers of this Government who will have to take responsibility for their actions. Not just those directly responsible for those departments, but all Ministers who were made aware and did not cry out for it to stop. http://youtu.be/ItILkPwGQYE
Minister Porter – in particular as the Treasurer, you have a direct responsibility to speak up and have an immediate end brought to logging in high conservation value forests UNTIL demands for proper habitat and wildlife surveys have been completed to ensure we do not continue making our unique wildlife extinct. There is a huge market for Eco-tourism and our South West Forests should be at the forefront of this, along with our winery tours and surfing. Rather than subsidizing an industry that is long overdue to be phased out completely, we should be doing everything we can to support tourism in a healthy and well managed forest.
As the Attorney General, we ask you what is being done to uphold the legal requirements for Government Departments to observe their own rules – when any member of the public would be severely prosecuted for the same practices.
Yours faithfully
Lesley Dewar
51 Beatty Avenue
East Victoria Park 6101
The Minister For Regional Development, Lands and The Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development – emailed February 11. 2012
Subject: High Conservation Value Forests Vandalised by FPC and DEC
Honourable Brendon Grylls MLA
Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development
14th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005
Dear Minister Grylls,
In your roles as the Minister for Regional Development, Lands and The Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, you must be deeply disturbed by the continuing reports coming out of our forests in the South West about the vandalism of both DEC and FPC. This is a matter which will continue to be of high priority for voters who do not want our Government to stand by and allow our unique native animals rendered extinct, while you pursue unsustainable commercial interests which are not for the good of the State overall.
The attached pictures are blatant examples of what little regard is being shown for the guidelines and good forestry practices.
In the first picture, you will see a perfect nesting hollow which is on the chopping block in Warrup. Worse still, it is in a one hectare area that was closely examined yesterday (wed 8 Feb) in which only 2 trees have been marked for retention. FPC is supposed to retain a minimum of 11. DEC refuses to stop the logging to investigate.
In the second, these two beautiful high quality habitat trees, a jarrah in the foreground and marri behind, are not marked for protection. They will be cut down despite there being only 2 habitat trees marked in the hectare where they stand.
Minister Grylls, there are literally hundreds of these kinds of photographic evidence now being circulated on the Internet – so the witnesses are there.
This video of FPC deliberately poisoning Marri trees is being widely circulated on the Internet and it is the Ministers of this Government who will have to take responsibility for their actions. Not just those directly responsible for those departments, but all Ministers who were made aware and did not cry out for it to stop. http://youtu.be/ItILkPwGQYE
Minister Grylls – in particular as the Minister for Regional Development and Lands, you have a direct responsibility to speak up and have an immediate end brought to logging in high conservation value forests UNTIL demands for proper habitat and wildlife surveys have been completed to ensure we do not continue making our unique wildlife extinct.
There is a huge market for Eco-tourism and our South West Forests should be at the forefront of this, along with our winery tours and surfing.
Yours faithfully
Lesley Dewar
51 Beatty Avenue
East Victoria Park 6101
