I was present at the recent mock presentation of the golden bulldozer award to a photo on a stick of the local Nationals MP, Leslie Williams as she was unfortunately delayed travelling back from Taree, as I understand it.
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The action was carried out by members of the No Energy From Forests (NEFF) group and Climate Change Australia who have become alarmed by the plans by the NSW Government to burn “residues” from their proposed intense logging of 146,000 ha. of our State Forests.
Now I doubt that few, if any, of those protestors knew that the plan for biomass burning in plants at Bulladelah, Kempsey and Grafton were in part a result of lobbying of our Port Macquarie Hastings Council!
Back in 2011 a “Submission to House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry Australia’s Forest and Forest Products Industry” was made by the then-Port Macquarie-Hastings Council economic development officer, Trevor Sergeant of the Forest’s Taskforce of
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council presumably on your behalf since Council represents the residents.
The submission claims : “The use of mill timber waste and other forest derived bio-mass provides outstanding fuel for renewable energy production. While the technology is well developed there are political impediments. Local sawmills believe they could generate much if not all of there (sic) energy requirements through the use of wood waste, representing a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
It is a recommendation from the Taskforce that Government:
Facilitate the recognition of the utilisation of wood waste from both forest and milling operations as being a desirable renewable source of energy.
Recognise the removal of waste timber and thinnings from forests increases forest productivity.
Supports the commercialisation of energy generation from forest residue by actively working with providers and suppliers.
It is a recommendation from the Taskforce that Government:
Supports and promotes the introduction of ‘green labelling’ schemes that enable consumers to distinguish between timber that has been grown, and products manufactured, from sustainable production and supply systems. ……..”
And to be clear about dead koala wood:
“Implements awareness programs that commence at the ‘ground level’ to inform about timber and wood awareness through primary and secondary schools and by educational packages to teachers.”
If Council no longer support intensive logging of our state forests and pelletisation of everything that is not valiable as saw logs then PMHC should recant that submission and tell the NSW Government what is proposed is totally against the precautionary principle.
John Jeayes
Port Macquarie