Elsie Lange
Local residents are “outraged” at a government salvage operation underway in Wombat State Forest, which they say is “complete overkill” in the proposed national park.
In a statement, a Wombat Forestcare said more than 100 people gathered at Babbington Hill in Lyonville on Friday, April 15, to gauge work undertaken by VicForests to clear the area from last June’s storm debris.
“The reality is that they are removing the large fallen tree trunks and leaving the combustible material,” Wombat Forestcare said.
“This operation cannot be considered to be substantially reducing the fire risk.”
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said Wombat State Forest was one of the hardest hit areas during the storms in June last year, which was why the government was working with VicForests and Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners to reduce risk to community safety.
“No trees are being removed unless they present a hazard or for operational safety,” she said.
A VicForests spokesperson said no felling is occurring in these operations and as part of the operation, they were prioritising the clearing of heavy debris first.
“Once the heavy debris is removed, remaining debris will be able to be assessed and appropriate treatment determined to both reduce fire hazard and to help restore the undergrowth to its natural ecology,” the spokesperson said.
In a statement, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation said their priority was to “restore undergrowth to its natural ecology by removing the fallen trees”.
“We are actively working with VicForests as they assist our capacity to care for Country in the restoration and clean-up,” the statement said.
