Melbourne s drinking water and catchment areas put at risk by âsystemic illegal logging on steep slopes, experts say
By national science, technology and environment reporter Michael Slezak
Posted 2
AprApril 2021 at 8:03pm
Experts say logging on slopes of more than 30 degrees can harm drinking water quality in some areas.
(
Print text only
Cancel
Victoria s state-owned logging company VicForests has put Melbourne s drinking supply at risk by illegally logging on steep slopes in an important water catchment area, according to the government regulator.
Key points:
Logging on slopes steeper than 30 degrees is banned in some areas protected for drinking water supply
The Victorian government s conservation regulator found the government-run VicForests breached this law at two locations
Bushfire risks heat up, demanding new take on fuel load management
We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Dismiss
Normal text size
Advertisement
New scientific findings that overturn traditional assumptions about fuel load management indicate that climate change is reducing the effectiveness of hazard reduction burning.
During the 2019-20 black summer fires Prime Minister Scott Morrison raised concerns over the scale of hazard reduction, which is managed by state governments, and called for a national approach that was aimed at shaming states into action.
The 2019-20 Black Summer fires claimed 33 lives, 3000 homes and left thousands homeless.
The harder they fall - stories of life and death in the South East Forests of NSW abc.net.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abc.net.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Australian scientists sound alarm on ecosystem collapse
We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Dismiss
Normal text size
Advertisement
Scientists studying Australia and Antarctica have sounded the alarm on collapsing ecosystems, saying urgent action is needed to avert “catastrophic biodiversity losses” in places like the Great Barrier Reef and Victorian ash forests.
The 38 eminent scientists, from 29 universities and organisations, say they have observed signs of Australian ecosystem decline and collapse all over the country, from tropical savannahs and rainforests to coral reefs, deserts and even Antarctic environments.
Australian scientists say there are 19 ecosystems that are collapsing.