Science group backs logging ban

As the Lower South West community continues to stand divided over the State Government’s plan to ban native logging, a leading environmentalist group has voiced its support for the decision. The Leeuwin Group of concerned scientists has come out in support of the McGowan Government’s plan to end the logging of native forests in the next forest management plan, 2024-33. LG convenor John Bailey said the “treasures” of karri and jarrah were at risk with continued logging and the impending effects of climate change. “With climate change upon us the future of our unique jarrah and karri forests is in the balance,” he said. “Continued logging puts these biodiversity treasures at risk and management needs to be precautionary.” Professor Bailey, who served as a board member for the Environmental Protection Agency and as chair of the Conservation Commission of WA, said the Government was right to end native logging. “It was inevitable that native forest logging would have to end, the industry is unsustainable and the impacts of climate change have made it even more untenable,” he said.