Threatened Peatlands of the World
Bago State Forest east of Tumbarumba, New South Wales, Australia
Jim Keltron reports:
Dear All
Just some typical examples of NSW Government style protection of gazetted Endangered Ecological Communities in NSW State Forest (Bago State Forest east of Tumbarumba).
Montane Peatlands (in our particular instance highland peatlands and wetlands in the South West Slopes bioregion) were listed as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) by NSW Scientific Committee back in 2005 (allegedly protected under S.118D, of the NSW NPW Act 1974) and in 2009 the Commonwealth made a corresponding listing allegedly giving these fragile montane ecosystems even greater levels of statutory protection at a much higher, Commonwealth level under S.18A of the EPBC Act 1999.
Seven years down the track and despite numerous attempts by local residents, and one particular local conservation group to bring the dire plight of these ecosytems to the attention of government and to get something done to halt the destruction, directly at the hands of Forests NSW mismanagement, the spiraling decline of these fragile montane ecosystems in our two montane state forests, Bago and Maragle, and despite two relatively 'good' wet seasons, is occurring at an ever increasingly alarming rate with absolutely no significant attempt by state or commonwealth to protect these declining habitats in our state forests.
Tablelands Snow Gum, Black Sallee, Candlebark and Ribbon Gum Grassy Woodlands of (in our particular case the South West Slopes bioregion) were listed as an EEC by NSW Scientific Committee in 2011. These similarly fragile ecosystems are found generally in association with Montane Peatlands and Swamps EECs.
It should be pointed out that it is a criminal offence under both NSW National Parks Act 1974 and the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 to cause the destruction of these listed Endangered Ecological Communities.
The attached photos show just a few examples of the illegal and criminal destruction of both montane state forest ecosystems in our region at the hands of the NSW Government and its corrupt commercial entity Forests NSW. The destruction can not be denied but it appears that as a government both NSW and Commonwealth feel that they are beyond state and commonwealth law and that they can act in a criminal manner and ignore their own legislation - beyond the law it would seem.
Worse still, no one in the conservation arena appears to give a damn either or else too busy on other mainly east coast issues or something would have surely been done by now, given in the worst case scenario, that the state listed Montane Peatlands as an EEC some 7 years ago ! If no one is interested then the question should be asked then why do the NSW and Commonwealth Government continue to support the presence of their respective Scientific Committees when the findings of such groups are totally ignored by government.
Typical waste disposal facilities on a Snow Gum Grassy Woodland EEC in Bago State Forest where mainly horse riding groups pay their respects to the environment (Paling Yards, Bago State Forest 2012).
Illegal felling of old growth est. 400 year old Black Sallee trees by camping horsegroup users for firewood in an area of an allegedly protected Snowy Gum Black Sallee Grassy Woodland Endangered Ecological Community (Paling Yards, Bago State Forest, 2012)
All that remains of a Montane Peatland in Bago State Forest (Paling Yards) - domestic cattle and feral horses are the cause. Note the remnants of the peatland fringing the destroyed area in the photo background - the area now destroyed once looked like that.
PEATLAND LOST ! Resulting total destruction of a Bago State Forest Montane Peatland EEC at the hands of NSW Governent / NSW Government non-management and therefore criminal negligence under state and commonwealth law (destruction by 'act or ommission') I think is the gist of the two state and commonwealth laws. In the case of these two declining ecosystems, by both act and ommission by NSW and Commonwealth Governments.
Demonstrating the total destruction of a Snow Gum Black Sallee Candlebark Grassy Woodland EEC in Bago State Forest caused by totally inappropriate use of the area by mainly camping horse riding groups, hunters - the same scarey and intimidating politically right wing, fascist BUSH USER GROUPS who complain that they cant get access YET to fragile parts of Koscisuzko National Park ! Heaven help our national parks cause it aint helping our state forests.
Just reminding you and letting others know, what you as the responsible law makers and statutory authorities are sitting back and watching, doing absolutely nothing ! (As if you dont already know).
Well done All - NOT. Should be so bloody ashamed of your irresponsibility in these issues. But it would appear not.
For Christ sake do something !