Trust DEC? No way!
MID to late last century we had in the South West the forestry department who recklessly managed to cut down almost every decent jarrah tree from Margaret River to Manjimup, leaving a tangled mess of tree tops and stumps that are still there today.
Then they burnt the bush, assuring all concerned that this was a sustainable forest. Our once wonderful forest has never recovered, not to mention spreading dieback disease in the process.
Then we had a name change to conservation and land management. Somehow this was supposed to placate the greenies and all would be okay from then on, but to our dismay the destruction continued with log trucks running down the main street of town with old-growth logs heading for the miller’s blade.
At the same time access to the coastline was being closed off and if you fell asleep in your car you would wake up to a fine notice under your wiper blade. Remember silverculture? The poisoning of regrowth trees in the forest that was somehow designed to improve the regeneration of the jarrah forest.
Then we had large-scale clearing of native forest to make room for pine plantations. What a disaster, and yet we were all told to trust CALM while prescribed burning in springtime wiped out animals and birdlife on an unprecedented scale.
Then we had another name change to Department of Environment and Conservation, another attempt to fool the people that we could finally trust the government to manage our forests and coastline, but the illusion and smokescreen goes on.
For many decades the Kilcarnup area vested in the shire has been loved and enjoyed by many without incident. Recently DEC took control of this area, in no time at all they have closed access to beaches, bulldozed flora and fauna and burnt the place to a crisp, and burnt down parts of Prevelly and Gnarabup at the same time.
Now we have to trust and wait to find out what happened and somehow believe that the many people who lost their homes and livelihood will be fully compensated, let alone the long-term damage to the coastline and the emotional stress being experienced by many.
That’s the trouble with these elusive government departments, the buck just gets passed up the line and then carefully buried by some zombie who is too afraid to face up to the fact that they have screwed up big time.
Trust the DEC to come clean and do the righty now and in the future? No way.
Peter Godden, Margaret River
Save black cockies
TWENTY years ago in the Margaret River/Capes region flocks of Black Cockatoos were numerous, large and impressive seen and heard daily in most areas.
These beautiful birds are a delight to observe, are charming and intelligent. As a wildlife and nature photography enthusiast, news of their current plight is extremely distressing.
Populations of all three Black Cockatoo species – the white-tailed Carnaby and Baudin, and Forest Red-tail – have already been in decline due to habitat loss from ad-hoc bushland clearing for development and logging.
To this then add the burn/management practices of the Department of Environment and Conservation and the November fire catastrophe, and relentless drought, both severely reducing food availability for them – our cockies are now under very real threat of starvation and vulnerable to extinction.
It is appalling, and a disgrace that DEC, the agency entrusted with their protection, does nothing and is still planning to burn remaining green forests in the South West. It will take many years for our burnt areas to recover to be of use to these birds. Spring burns by DEC kill young in the nest.
Recruitment of Black Cockatoos from breeding was already low and competition from non-native to the South West like galahs, corellas and feral bees, for the remaining suitable tree hollows has been taking a toll.
DEC burn practices must change. Remaining feeding and breeding areas important to these birds must be identified and protected. Support the Conservation Council petition. We must do all we can to prevent our beautiful, unique, and endangered Black Cockatoo from disappearing forever.
Sue Chick, Margaret River
Move Australia Day
RECENTLY I was at the Wardan Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Injidup. Mr Bill Webb, the cultural manager there, suggested to me about changing Australia Day to another day, perhaps the Sunday on the weekend after January 26. Then there will be no negative connotations of invasion day and we can all celebrate it guilt and blame free!
I think it would be interesting if survey was done and people asked for their opinions on this.
John B Tate, Margaret River
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