Comments for Southern Otway Landcare Network (SOLN) http://soln.org restore & protect biodiversity Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:11:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Comment on SUBMISSION TO PARKS VICTORIA AND DSE ON THE DRAFT OTWAY FIRE OPERATIONS PLAN. by Laurence Gaffney http://soln.org/submission-to-parks-victoria-and-dse-on-the-draft-otway-fire-operations-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-83328 Laurence Gaffney Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:11:58 +0000 http://soln.org/?page_id=481#comment-83328 A Case Study of the 2012 Planned Burn GB0003 in the Hansen Creek Road Area of Hoddles Creek has been undertaken and is now available at the Friends of Hoddles Creek Website. http://www.provender.com.au/fohc/CaseStudyHansonsCreek.pdf The case study revealed the following:- • That the Burn site was not selected in accordance with best practice for Zone 3 Ecological Burns. • That the Land Management Objective provided by the DSE for this Burn was technically/scientifically impossible. (i.e. to bring fire age class distribution closer to the idealised distribution identified through fire ecology study) • Routine Planning Assessments as is required by DSE Guidelines were not undertaken. (e.g. Life stage Assessment for Burn Planning) • That ecological assessments for the burn were based on Vegetative Growth Stage Data which the DSE knew to be incorrect. • That the relatively recent logging history of the Burn Area was ignored. • That the Annual Yarra Target for the burning of Shrubby Foothills Forest (EVC 45) is being exceeded by approximately three times. • That the DSE is burning Forest Habitat within a Conservation Reserve with age classes that are unrepresented elsewhere within the Reserve or the Yarra Land Management Unit. (i.e. A major Environmental Conservation Issue) • That significant environmental damage was caused by the bulldozing of a control line that was unnecessary in the circumstances. • That the Key Fire Response Species (KFRS)considered by the DSE for this burn were inappropriate for the Fire Cycle Stage of the Burn Area. • That an attempt to exclude the Riparian Area (EVC 17) from the Burn for ecological purposes was only partially successful. • That no Pre Burn Overall Fuel Hazard Assessments were made hence it will not be possible to accurately measure the outcome of the Burn in relation to reduction of Overall Fuel Hazard. • That pre burn clearing around the bases of older habitat tress with hollows, for protection from the planned burn, was very limited in scale and mostly unsuccessful, resulting in disproportionate numbers of these trees being destroyed by the Burn. • That Control Line Rehabilitation program comprised minor erosion control works only. • That the approved Burn Lighting Pattern could not by design produce a mosaic pattern. (Note:- This was an objective of the Burn). The unprofessionalism of the DSE uncovered by the FOHC Case Study for Burn GB0003 is of major concern as the protection of Life & Property, and Ecosystems are at stake. The Friends of Hoddles Creek expect a planned burn decision making process/framework that is transparent and based on the best science available. Laurence Gaffney Secretary, Friends of Hoddles Creek A Case Study of the 2012 Planned Burn GB0003 in the Hansen Creek Road Area of Hoddles Creek has been undertaken and is now available at the Friends of Hoddles Creek Website.
http://www.provender.com.au/fohc/CaseStudyHansonsCreek.pdf
The case study revealed the following:-
• That the Burn site was not selected in accordance with best practice for Zone 3 Ecological Burns.
• That the Land Management Objective provided by the DSE for this Burn was technically/scientifically impossible. (i.e. to bring fire age class distribution closer to the idealised distribution identified through fire ecology study)
• Routine Planning Assessments as is required by DSE Guidelines were not undertaken. (e.g. Life stage Assessment for Burn Planning)
• That ecological assessments for the burn were based on Vegetative Growth Stage Data which the DSE knew to be incorrect.
• That the relatively recent logging history of the Burn Area was ignored.
• That the Annual Yarra Target for the burning of Shrubby Foothills Forest (EVC 45) is being exceeded by approximately three times.
• That the DSE is burning Forest Habitat within a Conservation Reserve with age classes that are unrepresented elsewhere within the Reserve or the Yarra Land Management Unit. (i.e. A major Environmental Conservation Issue)
• That significant environmental damage was caused by the bulldozing of a control line that was unnecessary in the circumstances.
• That the Key Fire Response Species (KFRS)considered by the DSE for this burn were inappropriate for the Fire Cycle Stage of the Burn Area.
• That an attempt to exclude the Riparian Area (EVC 17) from the Burn for ecological purposes was only partially successful.
• That no Pre Burn Overall Fuel Hazard Assessments were made hence it will not be possible to accurately measure the outcome of the Burn in relation to reduction of Overall Fuel Hazard.
• That pre burn clearing around the bases of older habitat tress with hollows, for protection from the planned burn, was very limited in scale and mostly unsuccessful, resulting in disproportionate numbers of these trees being destroyed by the Burn.
• That Control Line Rehabilitation program comprised minor erosion control works only.
• That the approved Burn Lighting Pattern could not by design produce a mosaic pattern. (Note:- This was an objective of the Burn).

The unprofessionalism of the DSE uncovered by the FOHC Case Study for Burn GB0003 is of major concern as the protection of Life & Property, and Ecosystems are at stake. The Friends of Hoddles Creek expect a planned burn decision making process/framework that is transparent and based on the best science available.

Laurence Gaffney
Secretary, Friends of Hoddles Creek

]]> Comment on Southern Otway Agriculture Forum, 25th & 26th May by Rob and Laurie Kaldor-Bull http://soln.org/4503/southern-otway-agriculture-forum-25th-26th-may/comment-page-1/#comment-54126 Rob and Laurie Kaldor-Bull Fri, 18 May 2012 05:49:29 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4503#comment-54126 Looking forward to attending the Southern Otway Agricultural Forum. Looking forward to attending the Southern Otway Agricultural Forum.

]]> Comment on Leave room on your plate for the Feral Feast by Amber Noseda http://soln.org/4488/leave-room-on-your-plate-for-the-feral-feast/comment-page-1/#comment-51396 Amber Noseda Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:30:42 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4488#comment-51396 Hi I would like 2 tickets for this event if itsd not to late, regards Amber Noseda 0419540365 Hi I would like 2 tickets for this event if itsd not to late,

regards

Amber Noseda
0419540365

]]> Comment on Fox Control at the Conservation Ecology Centre by Steve & Mary Howe http://soln.org/4462/fox-control-at-the-conservation-ecology-centre/comment-page-1/#comment-50515 Steve & Mary Howe Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:55:04 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4462#comment-50515 I am interested in trialling the soft jaw fox traps on our property but will be interstate on the 30th April so cannot attend the meeting. Regards Steve & Mary Howe Woodlands Wngarra I am interested in trialling the soft jaw fox traps on our property but will be interstate on the 30th April so cannot attend the meeting.
Regards
Steve & Mary Howe
Woodlands
Wngarra

]]> Comment on Fox Control at the Conservation Ecology Centre by Peter Lugg http://soln.org/4462/fox-control-at-the-conservation-ecology-centre/comment-page-1/#comment-49133 Peter Lugg Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:20:40 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4462#comment-49133 Is it possible to be involved in the fox control program without attending the info session? My family all work and are unable to attend at this time. Is it possible to be involved in the fox control program without attending the info session? My family all work and are unable to attend at this time.

]]> Comment on Southern Otway Landcare E-News April 5 by Denise Hooke http://soln.org/4444/southern-otway-landcare-e-news-april-5/comment-page-1/#comment-49007 Denise Hooke Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:32:33 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4444#comment-49007 Hi Libby Michael and Denise Hooke would like to book for the SOLN Feral Feast. Many thanks Denise Hi Libby

Michael and Denise Hooke would like to book for the SOLN Feral Feast.

Many thanks Denise

]]> Comment on Myrtle Rust by Neil & Bo Melville http://soln.org/4376/myrtle-rust/comment-page-1/#comment-43633 Neil & Bo Melville Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:39:01 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4376#comment-43633 PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FUTURE COMMUNICATION. glenairepark@bigpond.com PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FUTURE COMMUNICATION.

glenairepark@bigpond.com

]]> Comment on Rest In Peace, Murray Champion by Joan and John Brick http://soln.org/4144/rest-in-peace-murray-champion/comment-page-1/#comment-34450 Joan and John Brick Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:01:11 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4144#comment-34450 Our trips to Skenes Creek will never be the same in not being able to catch up with Murray and hear about all the stories and events since the last time we were there. To know Murray has been an honor and to meet someone so dedicated into making this part of Victoria a better and more beautiful place. I am so sorry we were not able to be there for his memorial but know we will try in some small way to carry on his work by being involved and actively supporting the projects that he loved...Murray you are a legend.. The Brick clan Our trips to Skenes Creek will never be the same in not being able to catch up with Murray and hear about all the stories and events since the last time we were there. To know Murray has been an honor and to meet someone so dedicated into making this part of Victoria a better and more beautiful place. I am so sorry we were not able to be there for his memorial but know we will try in some small way to carry on his work by being involved and actively supporting the projects that he loved…Murray you are a legend..
The Brick clan

]]> Comment on Rest In Peace, Murray Champion by Sandra Wellington http://soln.org/4144/rest-in-peace-murray-champion/comment-page-1/#comment-34286 Sandra Wellington Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:04:17 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4144#comment-34286 My dear cousin. Although you lost contact with many of your cousins over the past few years,we are all saddened by your recent passing and are in our thoughts. 11th of November our "shared birthday" I will miss our Happy Birhtday calls, and our contact at Christmas, although you needed a reminder to correspond! May you RIP with Auntie Molly, Uncle Bert, and your pal Fletcher. Fond memories of our younger days will remain with me forever.You will always be remembered. Love Sandra. My dear cousin. Although you lost contact with many of your cousins over the past few years,we are all saddened by your recent passing and are in our thoughts. 11th of November our “shared birthday” I will miss our Happy Birhtday calls, and our contact at Christmas, although you needed a reminder to correspond! May you RIP with Auntie Molly, Uncle Bert, and your pal Fletcher. Fond memories of our younger days will remain with me forever.You will always be remembered.
Love Sandra.

]]> Comment on Rest In Peace, Murray Champion by Louise and Keith Dobbins http://soln.org/4144/rest-in-peace-murray-champion/comment-page-1/#comment-34012 Louise and Keith Dobbins Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:15:12 +0000 http://soln.org/?p=4144#comment-34012 A true chapion of the enviroment and true values in life rest our friend Louise and Keith Dobbins A true chapion of the enviroment and true values in life rest our friend

Louise and Keith Dobbins

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