DNRE Forest Managers and logging directors contradict each other

In 1996, a number of forest protests occurred in the Otways regarding the suppression of research into Myrtle Wilt. Senior forestry managers and logging directors have made numerous public statements about the cause and spread of the disease. Often these public statements contradicted each other.

The Age, 26.02.96
Paul Mainey, Department area Manager for South West Region

Paul Mainey, the department area manager for south-west region, said that myrtle wilt was not being spread by the activities of loggers and that the disease was prevalent in closed catchment areas where logging was not permitted

Geelong Advertiser, 11.03.96
Richard Rawson, Department head for Commercial Forestry

We have said myrtle wilt is an issue and we would be silly to say logging has no impact. Clearly it could. We wouldn't know the scale of that therefore should be quite careful and more cautious about distances between our harvesting and rainforest to reduce risk of trees falling into the rainforest

Geelong Advertiser, 26.3.96
Peter Adams, Director of the Otway Logging Company

Mr Adams said he believed there was no connection between the naturally occurring fungus and logging because it existed within logged and unlogged areas.
"I am sure that when the protesters finally get the government report they will be very disappointed," he said
He said the protesters were just grabbing at any issue. And when it was disproved they would latch onto something else as they pushed to stop logging.

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