| Local Government submissions |
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(1) Local Government Authorities,representing more than 250,000 people, have formally raised concerns:
Recommendation That Council advises the Victorian Regional Forest Agreement Steering Committee that: 1. It requests more detailed research be undertaken regarding the impact of logging in the Otways on water quality and quantity, in particular the water supply catchment of the Barwon River 2. It recommends the introduction of new measures restricting logging operations to areas which are less strategically important for water catchment purposes 3. It gives serious consideration to the suspension of clearfell logging as the preferred logging technique 4. It strongly recommends to the State Government, that it establish a program and incentives to increase private agroforestry as part of a reduction in in logging within water supply catchments 5. It requests that the release of the Directions Report is associated with an extensive public consultation process, which includes information workshops being held in Geelong. Geelong City Council RFA Submission pp 27-28.
Recommendations 1. That the Council make a submission be made to the West Victoria RFA independent panel in general accordance with Part III of this report and that if any threat perceived or otherwise occur to the quality of the water supply, that all activities in the Otways cease immediately. Warrnambool City Council RFA Submission.
"Attendance at a recent water forum (Forum conducted by RFA team with scientists, Natural Resources & Environment and key stakeholders - Appendix 4 Consultation Papers) further confirmed the complexities of forest management and potential impacts. It was evident that the scientific knowledge gaps were such that it raised doubt as to whether an adequate risk assessment could be made to ensure serious or irreparable damage to the environment. Until this C R C Catchment Hydrology research is completed it seems prudent to proceed with caution with our harvesting regime and preclude any clear felling in catchment areas." Surf Coast Shire RFA Submission p. 11.
Recommendation That Council advises the Victorian Regional Forest Agreement Steering Committee that: 1. Detailed research should be undertaken regarding the impact of logging in the Otways on water quality and quantity, in particular the water supply catchment that supplies the Otway Pipeline before this agreement is signed; and 2. The report should consider restricting logging operations to areas which are less strategically important for water catchment purposes Moyne Shire RFA Submission. |