Extensive logging of native forest on Old Mill Road, Turlinjah

Friends Of The Forest Mogo, 25 November 2024

Photos by Gillianne Tedder.

Over 40 local residents gathered to express their anger and dismay at the extensive logging of native forest on Old Mill Road, Turlinjah last Thursday,  21 November 2024.  

Swathes of trees have been cut down on private property under a Private Native Forest Agreement. 

“This extensive tree clearing is so shocking. Especially as we’re facing a warming climate. We need all the trees we can to cool our atmosphere and retain carbon.”

“Turning trees into tomato stakes and woodchips is just no longer acceptable.”  said a local resident who wanted to remain anonymous citing the need to maintain good community relationships. 

“The trees have been cleared all the way to Coila Creek” said another concerned local at the community protest.

Landholders need to beware of being leafletted by private contractors who overpromise and underdeliver with leaflet slogans such as “’Top Prices Paid’ and ‘Responsible Logging’ “. 

Contractor promises for returns under Private Native Forest Agreements may appear to be lucrative, but the recent $110,000 fine incurred by a farmer south of Cooma sounds a serious warning. 

Logging native forest on private property is subject to as many environmental rules as public logging and  the landholder will be held responsible for contractor non-compliance.  

The Cooma farmer was fined $110,000 for illegal forestry operations done by the logging contractors on his property at Kybeyan. 

“We have had residents come to us concerned about their neighbors taking up these private logging deals that sound good on paper”. said Joslyn van der Moolen, Friends of the Forest (Mogo)     

“Our experience is that landholders don’t factor in how their neighbors feel about removing much loved trees needed for biodiversity and carbon storage” she said.