By Tyler Wright
Conservation groups are raising the alarm before Forest Fire Management (FFMVic) – contracted by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) – begins a debris clearing operation in two earmarked zones of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Between 200 and 300 Powelltown correa plants, or correa reflexa, have been spotted near Bartlett Track in Olinda, as FFMVic prepares to clear heavy debris up to 40 metres off paths in the area.
In a technical memo addressed to the chief fire officer, Victorian National Parks Association’s Jordan Crook a population of this species has also been detected to another earmarked zone in Silvan, however further survey work is required before reporting on the size and extent of this population.
Powelltown correa is listed as endangered in the state’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
“The species is endemic to Victoria with a restricted range east of Melbourne and requires moister sheltered positions in semi-shade and dappled shade,” Mr Crook’s note to FFMVic read.
“There’s two other endangered Correa species that have prescriptions under the logging laws [Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014] and that says that those plants in their communities should have a 200-metre buffer around them to protect the habitat from heavy machinery and soil disturbance and hydrology changing,” Mr Crook said.
Mr Crook said the Powelltown correa plants are under “imminent threat” from FFMVic’s activities.
“It’s already got a very restricted home range and we’re very lucky to still have it around,” Mr Crook said.
“Any use of heavy machinery… is going to directly kill the plants or change local hydrology, and further reduce where it can be found.”
On Saturday 2 September, academics, conservationists and community groups met at the Dandenong Ranges National Park to take a stand against the operation – taking aim at Forest FIre Management Victoria which has enlisted VicForests to salvage log fallen trees from the June 2021 storm event.
Mr Crook said there had been poor ecological management of one of Victoria’s premier national parks.
“This is very much the tail wagging the dog, with the log extraction needed for VicForests to remain viable,” Mr Crook said.
“Ecological and even fire prevention outcomes are a long way behind in their planning and operations – that’s not good enough.”
“The community, academics and conservationists are united against this plan, which would set a dangerous precedent for our national parks.”
Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group president Robert Pergl said there were serious concerns about the plan after a Superb Lyrebird nest and a large population of an endangered Correa were found in recent citizen scientist surveys.
“It is unfathomable locals need to survey and detect species not previously found before by VicForests and Forest Fire Management Victoria within the National Park,” Mr Pergl said.
“We are requesting both sites be independently surveyed for threatened species before their habitat is unknowingly destroyed by heavy machinery and plans to remove logs from the national park.”
The initial plan to remove fallen trees from over 100 hectares was scaled back to 50 hectares after local conservation groups sounded the alarm about Gang Gang Cockatoos, Powelltown Correas and Greater Gliders.
In a response to the Star Mail, Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said the FFMVic team develops mitigation measures to “avoid or minimise” impacts on endangered plant species while the team completes “bushfire risk reduction works”.
“These crucial works are designed and delivered to comply with all regulatory and legislative obligations,” Mr Hardman said.
Works are set to begin around late spring.
