Friends of Kalang Headwaters in Bellingen, New South Wales | Non-profit organisation

Friends of Kalang Headwaters

Locality: Bellingen, New South Wales

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25.01.2022 The fate awaiting the Kalang Headwaters, one of Australia's most significant #Koala populations, if we don't work together to protectthe forests in the Headwaters Conservation Reserve. http://friendsofkalangheadwaters.com.au//headwaters-conse/

25.01.2022 Since the fires 2019/20 much wood has been moved out of this Shire and Forestry Corporation NSW activities in what remains of our Native Forests has continued apace. How can the Rules for Harvesting (IOFA 2018) have any relevance after what we have suffered all along the East Coast of Australia. Any recovering Native Forest must assume greater value after the massive losses incurred by our Communities. It seems unreal that burning forests for energy is happening in the Bel...lingen Shire under the guise of calling Tarkeeth a Plantation. It is just wrong to look at the steep slopes and the extreme and erosive damage caused through dragging large trees and their roots out of the ground, and grinding them up as 'forest residues' is trucked to Broadwater to be burnt at the Mill under the auspices of Cape Byron Power as 'green' energy. Meanwhile, the fear in our community is once again palpable and for the past week there are now fires burning all around and the air is full of smoke. We understand the Juugawaarri Nature Reserve was on fire now more koalas and their habitat will be lost! Stop logging and burning trees! Please speak up for all remaining Native forest and the health and safety for our Waterways.

24.01.2022 A Week In The Life Of A #Koala - Tuesday #SaveGladstone #MattKean #SaveKalang #GladysBerejiklian #SussanLey

24.01.2022 Thank you David Shoebridge https://www.facebook.com/search/top

24.01.2022 Coming to a forest near you...

24.01.2022 Barilaro overrules EPA, ramps up logging, funnels bushfire grants to loggers by Suzanne Arnold | Feb 19, 2021 | Energy & Environment Image: Skylar H; Unsplash... Despite unprecedented damage to forests and wildlife, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro overruled the Environment Protection Agency and determined that industrial-scale logging continues in NSW’s burnt and unburnt forests. Suzanne Arnold reports on the extraordinary protections afforded the forestry industry by the government of Gladys Berejiklian. More than 62% of harvestable native forests were damaged in the catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires, according to the NSW government’s own records. Up to 10% of native hardwood forests were lost. Nearly 3 billion animals were killed or displaced, with about 8,000 koalas incinerated on the mid north coast of NSW alone. Some 113 animal species were identified as the highest priorities for urgent management intervention. Despite this unprecedented damage to forests and wildlife, Deputy Premier John Barilaro is determined that industrial-scale logging will continue in NSW’s burnt and unburnt forests. When the Environment Protection Authority sought a voluntary halt to logging in a number of state forests in March last year, after intervention by John Barilaro, the NSW Forestry Corporation rejected the request. Barilaro also holds the portfolio of Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade, which covers the timber industry. The EPA report says logging continued because John Barilaro asked the [Forestry Corporation] to deliver on contractual obligations. Moreover, in the latest round of bushfire recovery pork barrelling announced by Barilaro, he awarded more than $38 million of the $177 million to timber/forestry projects. These grants came on top of some $46 million that Barilaro’s Department, Regional NSW, awarded to the Forestry Corporation under bushfire recovery measures for urgent infrastructure repairs, nursery expansions and replanting the forest. Barilaro’s Department of Regional NSW claims that forestry and related industries are responsible for more than 22,300 jobs. Yet a 2016 report by The Australia Institute estimated that just 600 people were directly employed in the industry. The TAI report also put the economic losses of the native forest industry in NSW at $79 million over the past seven years, meaning that not only are taxpayers propping up an unviable industry, they are also propping up an industry that is adding to environmental destruction. The Forestry Corporation also rejected a plea from the EPA for extra site-specific conditions to protect koalas. Environment Protection Authority review Four months ago, in September 2020, the EPA published a review it had commissioned from Dr Andrew Smith, an acknowledged expert in forest planning and management. His review was the result of a consultation between the EPA and the Forestry Corporation to develop a suite of site-specific operating conditions to manage environmental risks associated with timber harvesting in burnt landscapes a result of a critical shortage of timber after the bushfires. Dr Smith’s findings were concerning. In particular Dr Smith noted: Recovery times are likely to be up to 45 years for the koala and 20-120 years for the Greater Glider and Yellow-bellied Glider. Fauna populations are at risk of elimination by timber harvesting under the normal Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals and cause catastrophic population decline in species such as the Koala, Greater Glider and Yellow-bellied Glider. There should be a halt to logging of all unburnt and lightly burnt forests within the net harvest area for 12 months. But the Forestry Corporation rejected his recommendations and advised he EPA that it intended to return to harvesting in September 2020 as it is legally obliged to do so in order to meet supply commitments. Scientists, conservation organisations, and local communities are appalled by ongoing logging of burnt forests at a time when NSW native forests and wildlife need time to recover. Indigenous rights of native title holders whose land includes forests are also ignored. Vulnerable and endangered species The Forestry Corporation also approves its own harvest plans and is responsible for reporting non compliance. An analysis of the harvest plans on the Forestry Corporation’s website demonstrates that almost every wildlife species included in logging plans for the north-east forests is either listed on the schedules of the Biodiversity Conservation Act or the Commonwealth EPBC list as vulnerable and endangered species. Recommended recovery plans have not been developed as required and a significant number of affected species are under consideration for upgrading to endangered status by the Federal Threatened Species Scientific Committee. NSW shuts down opposition The Berejiklian government has also gone to great lengths to ensure no legal challenges can be mounted to prevent this industrial scale logging of NSW forests and the loss of biodiversity. The Premier’s actions strike at the heart of democracy. The forestry industry can over-ride any legal protective measure for species survival regardless of bushfires and natural disasters. The Forestry Act 2012 contains a privative clause s.69ZA (2) that prohibits and legal action against a breach of forestry operations to which an integrated forestry operations approval applies. The privative clause effectively over-rides any legal challenges under the Biodiversity Conservation Act, National Parks & Wildlife Act, the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Moreover, only the Environment Protection Authority and National Parks & Wildlife Service are authorised to mount challenges against Foresty Corporation. Neither agency can be forced to take action. According to North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) spokesperson, Dailan Pugh: For many years NEFA has audited logging operations and found numerous and often egregious breaches of the logging rules. The same type of breaches occur time and time again. The supposed regulator, the (EPA), occasionally issued token fines but mostly just warning letters. We tried but couldn’t find a way to prosecute the Forestry Corporation ourselves, and the EPA refused to. As there were no consequences the breaches continued, as they were very profitable. The Commonwealth Regional Forest Agreement Act also denies any legal challenge to protect listed threatened species or ecological communities impacted by forestry. Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 which deals with threatened species does not apply to a forestry operation undertaken in accordance with a Regional Forest Agreement. Forests are home to about 80% of life on earth. Yet values for wildlife, ecosystems and native forests are omitted from governments’ balance sheets. International scientific experts are warning that the consequences of ignoring climate change and biodiversity loss are dire. Australia’s political leaders continue to turn a deaf ear to the science. As recently discussed, we can look forward to more pandemics as climate change accelerates.

22.01.2022 How Forestry NSW planned to log Old Growth and threatened Sub-tropical Rainforest, and still does...Below is a map of the high conservation values of old growth (purple and pink) and rainforest (blue) superimposed over proposed logging in #Scotchman and #RosesCreek state forests. The only reason this didn’t happen, is because the community (us) stopped it. FMZ 4 (‘general management) is the euphemism for #ecocide...but if we don’t prepare, this will happen in August. #SaveKalang

22.01.2022 Bellingen Environment Centre believes harvesting forests for Biofuel is not sustainable.

21.01.2022 Having checked Plan Portal it appears the logs #Koala has been counting are from Styx River, west of Jeogla Park.

19.01.2022 Hear The #Koala’s comprehensIve plan to save his species - #KoalaManifesto #SussanLey #GladysBerejiklian #MattKean #SaveKalang #SavePortStephensKoalas #SaveMtG...ilead #SaveMountLofty #SaveArthursSeat #SaveSydneysKoalas #SaveBrisbanesKoalas #SaveVictoriasKoalas #SaveBanyabbaKoalas #SaveTheKoala #NoTreeNoMe See more

18.01.2022 KALANG RESCHEDULED FOR LOGGING: Stop community 'abuse by PlanPortal' The status of compartments Oakes 17-21 (planning to log), and Scotchman 1, 2, 22, 23 (scheduled to log) has been changed overnight on Plan Portal. There has been no consultation. Thumb Creek is approved for logging, Gladstone is actively awaiting logging, Newry is being planned for logging. FCNSW unilaterally offered to withdraw from logging the Headwaters as an act of ‘good faith’ last year, and to engage i...n community consultation. FoKH put in a great deal of time and energy to develop a consultative mechanism, which FCNSW agreed to, only FCNSW subsequently canceled all meetings. The arbitrary nature of FCNSW's approach to planning makes meaningful community engagement possible. FoKH is lodging a formal complaint. FCNSW seems to believe that it is no longer obliged to consult with the community due to changes in the IFOA, and may also believe that the previous failure to protect threatened species no longer matters. The community’s right to free, prior and informed consent on proposed activities on public land does not require regulation; it exists in and of itself, regardless, as do FCNSW's obligations to protect threatened species, as recent legal proceeding in the federal court have demonstrated. Consequently, FCNSW is now in breach of its community and environmental obligations. Until such time as FCNSW consults with the community, and acts to protect threatened species, the community does not and cannot endorse or support any activities in the Headwaters. FoKH has drawn these issues to the attention of the Minister of The Environment and Energy and the Parliamentary Secretary. The abuse of the community by means of PlanPortal has to stop.

16.01.2022 The gathering at Gurmesh Singh MP's office at Park St Coffs Harbour is NOT Happening because consideration of the Bill in the Upper House of the NSW Parliament has been delayed.

13.01.2022 Koala Action Day at Valla Beach Market was a huge success. Boy what a big day! We garnered lots of landholders to sign up for koala corridor tree plantings. Mic...klo Jarrett spoke a Gumbaynggirr blessing for taking care of these lands, and the animals. Ecologist Mark Graham spoke in big pictures of the biodiversity hotspot that is this part of NSW. In between flash mobs of Zumba dancers we announced the finalists of our Koala literary competition- I’m Not A Bear. Then there was a display by the koala detection dogs, and a beautiful tree planting with the Mayor and Logan from Landcare. Thanks to John Bennet, Georgette, and Grant Nelson from Council. Thanks to VBCA, DPIE, and the FEA and GKNP community groups. Onwards to K- POMs koala Plans of Management. We have lots of names to action outcomes to create better connectivity and habitat.

12.01.2022 ALERT Forestry Corporation has ignited a massive 176-hectare windrow #fire at Newry State Forest, south west of Urunga, close to homes in Martells Road. The... fire is being undertaken to clear hazardous combustible waste (crowns, limbs, bark, unwanted trunks) left behind after a clearfall logging operation, which was undertaken while the Black Summer bushfires raged all around us. The dangerous logging operation was discovered by a resident and reported to the media. #WrongMethodWrongPlace SMOKE POLLUTION If you are adversely affected by smoke or fumes, it is important that you report the #pollution to the EPA telephone hotline on 9995-5555. Please report how the air pollution affects you, your family, your animals, your business, etc. Also, time, date and wind direction. It is essential to keep a written record of all conversations. HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes. If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities. If smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice. BUSHFIRE DANGER Please be vigilant. Similar windrow fires at #TarkeethForest have taken several weeks to fully extinguish. Fire Incident: Advice Location: Ainsworths Rd, 5km SSW of Urunga Check the NSWRFS Fires Near Me app or visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fnm If you believe there is a bushfire emergency, ring Tripple Zero (000). WATCH OUR VIDEO drone's eye footage of FCNSW’s previous fire on Fernmount Range: https://www.facebook.com/TarkeethForestNSW/videos/1420157991380330/ See more

12.01.2022 #Koala gives a basic lesson in forest ecology - are you listening, #CapeByronPower? #SaveTarkeeth #friendlyjordies #KoalaKiller

12.01.2022 A Week In The Life Of A #Koala - Thursday #SaveOurRivers #SaveKalang #Bellinger #Nambucca #MattKean #GladysBerejiklian #SussanLey #KoalaKiller #Friendlyjordies #StopLogging

11.01.2022 How much logging can a #Koala bear? #SavePortStephensKoalas, #SussanLey! #SaveStyx #SaveTarkeeth #SaveKalang

06.01.2022 Is your ‘green’ power contaminated with native forest and destroyed #Koala habitat? Ask your provider...

06.01.2022 Bob Brown sends a message to the community in support of the campaign to #SaveKalang

06.01.2022 A Week In The Life Of A #Koala - Wednesday #SaveWildCattleCreek #MattKean #SaveKalang #GladysBerejiklian #SussanLey

05.01.2022 Dispelling the myth about ‘plantation’ forestry: Note the native forest cut from the road reserve; the pile of ‘slash’ ready for woodchipping; the native forest Eucalypt buried at the bottom of the pile; and the steep slope of forest clearfelled to the creek. If this is a plantation, I’m a #koala!

03.01.2022 If woodchipping the forest floor becomes a practice how will it possibly be monitored and regulated? Eucalypt trees have been photographed in the scrap pile.

01.01.2022 The reality of #CapeByronPower: Follow the truck from forest to furnace #SaveTarkeeth Tarkeeth Forest Bellingen Environment Centre North East Forest Alliance NEFAFriends of Kalang Headwaters Gumbaynggirr Conservation Group The Great Koala National Park Save Banyabba Koalas

01.01.2022 A Week In The Life Of A #Koala - Friday #SaveKalang #SaveOurForests #MattKean #GladysBerejiklian #KoalaKiller #SussanLey #friendlyjordies