"Cores and Links" reserve proposal

The Strzelecki Working Group (SWG) formed by the South Gippsland Shire and with conservation, Hancock Victorian Plantations & Shire representatives, commissioned the Strzelecki Ranges Biodiversity Study, which identified five high biodiversity Core Areas and habitat links joining the Gunyah Rainforest reserve to Tarra Bulga National Park and College Creek. The group has asked the Government to reserve these 'Core and Link' areas. This proposal will protect nationally significant rainforest sites, secure habitat for endangered species and protect the headwaters of the streams and rivers in the Eastern Strzeleckis and add some 8000 ha. to the reserve system. This is an urgent priority.

HVP agree to it as long as they are compensated for the foregone harvesting rights.The company agreed to a temporary moratorium on logging in the Cores and Links but have recently announced their intention to log in the area in October 2004.

The Letter sent to the Minister of the Environment from the Strzelecki Working Group:

I am writing on behalf of the Strzelecki Working Group to seek State Government support for the adoption and implementation of the key recommendations contained in the Strzelecki Ranges Biodiversity Study. Please find a copy of the Study attached for your information. The Working Group sees the establishment of the Core and Link areas as a permanent reserve as an urgent priority and requests the assistance of the State Government in the speedy implementation of this reserve, in line with the State Government¹s commitment to ŒFull protection of all conservation areas in the Strzelecki Ranges.¹* The Study identifies five Core Areas and two Habitat Links to be of high biodiversity value and ecological importance. The Study recommends that the Core and Link areas be excluded from timber harvesting. The Study also stresses that the maintenance and retention of all native vegetation is an integral part of biodiversity conservation. Currently, formal reserves cover less than 2% of the Strzelecki Ranges Bioregion. The Working Group recognizes that the Study does not resolve all the issues of biodiversity protection in the Strzelecki Ranges. For example, the Study focused on the middle region of the HVP estate in the Eastern Strzeleckis and therefore could not deal adequately with Bioregional reserve targets. Significant areas of native forest in other parts of the Strzeleckis were not studied and will require further investigation. The Study proposes interim management strategies in the event that exclusion of timber harvesting does not occur. Please find the list of stakeholders comprising the Strzelecki Working Group attached. I look forward to your early response, if you have any queries please contact Chris Rankin, South Gippsland Shire Council, Environment Officer Ph: 5662 29267. Yours faithfully Cr David Lewis Chairperson Strzelecki Working Group

*Source: ŒOur Natural Assets: Valuing Victoria¹s Natural Environment¹ Victorian Government Strzelecki Working Group

The Gippsland Local Government Network; South Gippsland Conservation Society; Wilderness Society; Prom Coast Tourism; Friends of the Gippsland Bush; Victorian National Parks Association; Field Naturalist Club of Victoria; Friends of the Earth; Environment Victoria; Hancocks Victorian Plantations

The 'Cores and Links' reserve proposal