08/09/2021
Finally some good news! Thanks to the decades of work of staunch forest defenders, scientists and community members. Respect to first nations people who have been caring for country since time immemorial. This has been far too long in the making, other states need to follow suit immediately. For climate, for decolonisation, for biodiversity protection and the enjoyment of all.
BREAKING NEWS:
Premier McGowan has just announced that native forest logging will end by January 2024.
“This is huge,” said Jess Beckerling, WAFA campaign director.
“This is an historic moment, and we applaud the Premier, and Ministers Sanderson and Kelly, for their leadership and thank them for this major and long-awaited breakthrough.
“The South West forests are incredibly precious and they’re vital to climate and to wildlife, water and culture. This new direction, that the Premier has announced today, to end native forest logging in just over 2 years’ time, is profoundly important and will be heartily welcomed by the West Australian community.
“But this is not the end. We still have two years ahead of us until the next Forest Management Plan is signed and sealed and we must maintain our focus to ensure that this very welcome new direction, results in the forest protection that we so desperately need.
“This announcement from the Premier today comes as a result of thousands of people who have contributed hundreds of thousands of hours over many decades. WAFA wants to acknowledge every one of you, and say also to all forest supporters, we’re on track and we’re nearly there, stick with us, we’re going to fully and securely protect the precious South West forests.
The Premier’s announcement doesn’t address all of the threats facing the forests. It doesn’t end clearing of jarrah forests for bauxite mining, or deal with issues surrounding thinning of degraded regrowth forests. It also doesn’t address fire management. There will however, be plenty of opportunity coming up for the community to have an effect on these other major issues facing the forests during the development of the next Forest Management Plan, and through other processes and we will be facing them with the same determination that we have faced logging with.
“We also look forward to the development of expanded farm forestry and a fair transition in employment for those currently engaged in native forest logging.
“Today, we’ve made history. Western Australia will become the first State in the country to finally, after all of these decades, stop the logging of our precious native forests and see them protected for their climate, biodiversity, water and cultural values,” said Ms Beckerling.
State Govt. Press Release:
https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2021/09/McGowan-Governments-historic-move-to-protect-native-forests.aspx
