What is Clearfell Logging?

What is Clearfell Logging in the Otways?
Impacts of Clearfell Logging on biodiversity.
Where does the government want to log?
Logging history maps

What is Clearfell Logging in the Otways?

The primary method for obtaining hardwood woodchips and timber from native forest is the controversial practice of clearfell logging. Clearfell logging involves the removal of almost all vegetation from a given area (a 'logging coupe'). This leaves the site bare and the soil highly disturbed. The logging process is similar to clearing the forest for agricultural purposes.

In the Otways, coupes typically range in size from 15 to 25 hectares. Every year approximately 3-4 square kilometres of forest is clearfell logged. Once logged, an area is burnt using napalm dropped from helicopters. It is then revegetated with an even age crop of trees which is similar to a plantation. Trees with no commercial value for sawlog or woodchip may be left standing but are routinely poisoned with herbicide such as Roundup to kill the tree and prevent canopy shade suppressing regrowth of seedling trees.

Callahans clearfell logging coupe - Geelong's water supply catchment.

Clearfell logging is destroying the biodiversity of the Otways native forest. The habitat of native plants, birds and animals is being systematically demolished.

Every year the Department of Natural Resources and Environment publicly releases a Wood Utilisation Plan which details where clearfell logging will occur for the next year. To see where the government wants to log, see information on OREN's website. The Wood Utilisation Plan is available on the DNRE website. If this link doesn't work, do a search for WUP at NRE.

Impacts of Clearfell Logging on biodiversity.

• Myth that native forests "regenerate" after clearfell logging. More info
  
  
• Myth clearfell logging mimics natural wildfire regeneration. More info
  
  
• The myth woodchips are produced from waste wood. More info

The ferns above are in an area the government wants to clearfell log (Ciancio Creek)

Ferns after clearfell logging and burning (Callahans Creek - Geelong's water supply catchment)

Where does the government want to log?

Logging history maps

• West Barwon Dam (Geelong's water catchment)
  
  
• Gellibrand (Arkins Creek and Carlisle River area - Warrnambool's water catchment)
  
  
• Sabine Falls (Smythes and Carisbrook Creeks)
  
  
• Cumberland river catchment
  
  
• Lake Elizabeth
  
  
• Logging history within rainforest sites of significance. (Aire River area, Clearwater Creek area and Wild Dog Ridge area)

Riley's Ridge (logging began Jan 1999, stopped by direct action conservationists Oct 2000)

Bennetts Track, behind Lorne.

Relevant Links

Impacts of Clearfell Logging on biodiversity

See what forests the government wants to log in the coming years.

Don't know the meaning of a word? Check the glossary.