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News from (and about) the DepartmentsIllegal tree felling causes concernDSE media releaseAuthorised Officers from the Department of Sustainabilityand Environment (DSE) undertaking routine patrols areobserving a high number of illegally felled trees in StateForests across Gippsland.DSE Senior Compliance Officer, Peter Simpson said thiswas a cause for concern, particularly as some trees havebeen felled onto, across and next to busy major roads,with trees left hanging and leaning dangerously againstother trees.“This obviously poses a major public safety risk to roadusers, other users of our State Forests and to the DSEstaff who have to ensure these trees are dealt withproperly and safely.”“The trees felled are dead mature trees that provideimportant habitat for our native wildlife, particularly ourowl species.”It is illegal to cut down standing trees for firewood or anyother purpose. Only fallen timber can be collected in thespring and autumn seasons and people must notdamage, disturb or destroy any wildlife habitat such ashollow logs and dead or living standing trees.“Felling and removal of timber in State Forests isgoverned by the Forests Act 1958, and under this Actserious penalties apply,” Mr Simpson said.“The maximum penalty for illegally felling, cutting orremoving forest produce is a fine of up to $7,042 and/or12 months imprisonment for each offence under theVictorian legislation.”“People who harvest firewood illegally don't hold theappropriate licences and pose a public safety risk, asthey are not qualified to operate equipment utilised incommercial firewood harvesting."I urge anyone with information about this type of activityto report it, as it's having a significant impact on our Stateforests across Gippsland."You can report environment, wildlife and forest crime toDSE on 136 186.The next opportunity to collect firewood from public land,for personal use only, will be the commencement of thespring firewood collection season on 1 September 2012._____________________________________________THE Victorian government is taking the environmentbackwards, according to Environment Victoria.Broken promises, poor vision and an inability to listen tothe public are behind the decline, the state's peakenvironmental lobby group says.A report by Environment Victoria says the Baillieugovernment, in its first 18 months in power, doesn'tconsider environmental protection a priority and has noclear plan to tackle declining biodiversity, climate change,unsustainable water use and Melbourne's urban sprawl.Environment Victoria CEO Kelly O'Shanassy says thereport referenced a poll of 1000 people, which found thatthe government was out of touch with the environmentalinterests and attitudes of Victorians."Victorians want liveable cities, not urban sprawl," MsO'Shanassy said in a statement."They want the government to make decisions thatenhance the natural environment and ease the pressureon the cost of living."But the government's decisions are taking us in theopposite direction."Out of 57 significant environmental policy commitments thegovernment made ahead of the 2010 election, it had so fardelivered only five in full and already broken three, the reportsaid.The report, entitled Victoria's Environment: A State inReverse, also attacked the government for scrapping alegislated target of a 20 per cent reduction in greenhousepollution by 2020, reintroducing cattle grazing in the AlpineNational Park and axing plans to phase out the Hazelwoodcoal-fired power station.Its survey found that 78 per cent of Victorians want to seemore investment in renewable energy and 63 per cent wantfewer coal-fired power stations, but it says the governmenthas made wind farms harder to build and solar power moreexpensive.http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/07/31/517211_latest-news.htmlFind out about planned burning in EastGippslandThe Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)has updated the local Fire Operations Plans for the nextthree years and they will be on display for public viewing andcomment at DSE and Parks Victoria offices across theregion from Wednesday August 1 until Friday August 312012.Gippsland’s Fire Prevention Coordinator, Alison Kerr saidthe draft plans show where DSE and Parks Victoria intend tocarry out planned burning and other fire prevention activitiesto reduce bushfire risk to people, property and communities.“In the Orbost fire district, significant burns are planned inthe Orbost, Wulgulmerang, Gelantipy, Tubbut, Genoa,Bendoc, Mallacoota, Bemm River and Cann River areas.Many of these burns will build on strategic works completedin previous years.”The burns aim to reduce bushfire risk for strategiccommunity protection, larger landscape protection and forecological and regeneration purposes.“In developing these draft plans, we’ve been talking to localcommunities and key stakeholders such as Parks Victoria,CFA, beekeepers, winegrowers, local tourism operators,environment groups, and local Aboriginal Corporations.”Local communities are welcome to get involved in fireoperations planning throughout the year and areencouraged to come and talk to DSE staff at any time if theyhave comments or questions.“We do our best to reduce the impacts of burning oncommunities and stakeholders, but ultimately the decision toburn is always driven by the need to reduce the risk ofdamaging bushfires.”Ms Kerr said timing of planned burns depends on theweather and other conditions, such as how dry the fuel is.“The Fire Operations Plans are designed to be flexible so wecan respond to changing weather and conditions, and burnscan be carried out at any stage over three years when theconditions are right,” she said.The 2012-13 planned burning program for Gippsland is justunder 98,000 hectares. DSE and Parks Victoria are aimingto complete 250,000 hectares of planned burning across thestate if weather and other conditions are suitable.In addition to visiting DSE or Parks Victoria offices in person,you can also see the Fire Operations Plans for your area atwww.dse.vic.gov.au/burns If you would like to speak tosomeone about planned works near you, or view andcomment on the draft plan for your local area, contact theOrbost DSE office on 5161 1222.