Concerns Rise Over Central Highlands Forest Management

For over two decades, researcher Taylor has observed the significant decline of old trees in the Central Highlands, where only 1.6% of the 137,000 hectares of mountain ash forest remains untouched. Logging activities have drastically altered the forest's composition, prompting ongoing reviews by a government panel since 2021. The establishment of the “Great Outdoors Taskforce” aims to assess an additional 1.8 million hectares of previously logged forest, highlighting the need for sustainable management practices. Advocates like Rees have long campaigned for the creation of the Great Forest National Park, which would unify over 500,000 hectares of Victorian forests and conservation reserves into a protected area. However, opposition remains strong, with critics like Bath expressing concerns that the government’s actions may restrict public access to land. Bath emphasizes the existing recreational opportunities in national parks, arguing that the government should not overlook community input in the decision-making process. Dimopoulos points out that Victoria’s forests and national parks cover an impressive 7.12 million hectares, larger than Tasmania, presenting vast opportunities for recreation, tourism, and biodiversity conservation. Meanwhile, the Victorian Greens have raised alarms about what they term “logging by stealth,” alleging that the government is using fire management and storm clean-up as a pretext for continued logging activities. Taylor expresses disappointment over the misinformation surrounding the issue, asserting that while challenges exist, a path forward for the forest's future is achievable through concerted efforts and community engagement.