Steve Meacher, Mountain Monthly, November 2014

The unique Mountain Ash forest ecosystem of Victoria is Critically Endangered, according to a new paper published in Austral Ecology. These are the wet montane forests that extend along the Great Dividing Range, east of Toolangi. These forests support an assemblage of plants and animals, many of which are threatened in their own right.

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Farrah Tomazin, The Age, November 2, 2014.

Tensions are simmering in the Napthine government after Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh unexpectedly declared the Coalition would go to the election with a policy for no new national parks.

In a move that caught many of his colleagues by surprise, the Nationals deputy leader made the announcement at a recent forestry industry dinner, putting the government on a collision course with community groups, who had been assured a proposal for a new park in the state's north-east was being considered.

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The Age Letters, October 29, 2014

Committees stacked to provide 'right' outcome

First the review into the renewable energy target by climate sceptic Dick Warburton; now an inadequate report on the Great Barrier Reef written by a committee lacking independent experts, but containing coal industry representatives ("Scientific academy slams government's Great Barrier Reef plan", 28/10). Both are examples of government handpicking a review committee to provide an outcome desirable to its ideology and backers, rather than doing what is best for the country.

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WHEN forestry workers lose their jobs it’s a crisis but when public servants lose theirs it’s an election promise. Richard Denniss asks why politicians are working harder to save some jobs than others.

By Dr Richard Denniss The Australia Institute

The Mercury

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Matt Johnston, Herald Sun, October 9, 2014

THE tiny possum that is Victoria’s endangered faunal emblem has enticed Bob Brown to re-enter the political fray ahead of the state election.

The former national Greens leader is heading to Melbourne armed with a Galaxy poll showing most Victorians support a national park in the Yarra Ranges east of Melbourne, which Dr Brown says would help protect the Leadbeater’s possum.

The survey of 503 people found a national park was supported by 64 per cent of respondents, and was particularly popular among young voters and women.

Environment and forestry groups have clashed recently over the possum’s habitat, and the Napthine Government recently released a plan to try to protect the marsupial’s slender population.

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Bridie Smith, The Age, September 22, 2014

Environmentalists are suing the state government for failing to look after three threatened species of owl found in key logging areas of Gippsland.

Green group Environment East Gippsland launched the legal action in the Supreme Court on Monday, alleging the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and VicForests had failed to set aside areas in the Gippsland Forest to protect the powerful, sooty and masked owls.

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Jenni Henderson, abc.net.au, September 15, 2014

Momentum is growing behind a campaign to create a new national park, running from the Central Highlands to West Gippsland in Victoria.

The Great Forest National Park proposal is gathering followers online through a website and social media portals like Facebook where more than 5,000 people have 'liked' the suggestion of a new park for the state.

Prominent environmentalists Tim Flannery and Bob Brown have lent their support to the campaign.

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Mountain Monthly September 2014

Now that winter is over and summer is approaching, it is time once again to ensure that fire plans are up to date and all necessary precautions are in place. The Bureau of Meteorology is advising that we are likely to move into an El Niño weather cycle in the coming months, meaning a warmer, drier summer than we have had in the past few years, and higher bushfire risk.

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