E-Petition

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the house the failings of “Code of practice for native forest timber production on Queensland State forest estate 2020”, (the Code). What it prescribes is incompatible with it’s own fundamental objectives and principles. It is not fit for purpose.

With regard to protected flora and fauna the Code states that 'all species must be protected from any adverse effects of harvesting'. This is simply not possible as timber harvesting is a destructive process that destroys canopy trees, crushes and tramples under-story plants and disrupts, displaces, injures and kills protected species.

The Code also fails to account for the ongoing combined impacts of Myrtle Rust and climate change which are recognised as impeding the ability of native forest to regenerate fully, with its biodiversity values intact, following harvesting.

This is an unacceptable oversight within the broader context of ongoing native habitat loss and the resulting species extinction crisis we are experiencing in this country. Whilst this legislation remains current the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services is derelict in its duty of care in their role as the primary custodians of the State Forest.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the house to do all within its power to influence the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to acknowledge our concerns by undertaking an urgent review, and revision, of the Code with regard to its ability to protect all protected species from any adverse effects of harvesting.