A PETITION against the proposed logging of Ferny Forest has gained over 18,000 signatures with protesters now planning to rally next week against the ‘environmental vandalism’ of the area.
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) announced in December that logging would soon start in the Beerwah State Forest between Ewen Maddock Dam and Steve Irwin Way at Glenview.
The announcement created community outrage with two key groups – Save Ferny Forest and Save Beerwah State Forest – opposing the logging arguing that logging of the forest would lead to irreparable damage and destruction of the forest and animals and introduce pests and disease.
Logging could begin as soon as the end of the month with Save Ferny Forest urging people to attend the rally next Friday (Feb 25) to voice their disapproval.
Concerned resident Teena Chumbley said she feared that logging the area, which the state government deemed as core koala habitat, would not only introduce pests and disease, but decimate native animals.
Koalas were only last month reclassified by the federal government from vulnerable to endangered.
“This is basically managed extinction of the species,” Ms Chumbley said.
“The whole world is watching now and saying if you as a developed nation can’t look after your flagship species, then what hope do developing nations have of protecting theirs.”
“It’s our responsibility to do the best we can to preserve the unique flora and fauna here.
“SEQ has some of the most unique flora and fauna in the world. We want to be able to say to future generations that this is what we have saved for you.
The forest provides habitat threatened species such as koala, greater glider, glossy black cockatoo, giant barred frog, Coxen’s fig parrot, regent honeyeater, southern pink underwing moth and grey-headed flying fox.
The decision to log the forest comes on the eve of the International Union for Conservation of Nature adding another 124 animals to its list of species threatened with extinction, leaving people asking how many more species have to disappear before we start protecting the little that is left.
Now the battle lines have been redrawn as the DAF rushes to clear high value hardwood trees from the forest before the area is locked up as a national park in 2024.
The rally will be held on Friday February 25 between 4pm and 6pm in the Ferny Forest Car park opposite the Big Kart Track-entrance.
