Beerwah State Forest - Ewen Maddock Dam section (also known as Ferny Forest) needs protection from imminent logging! This is critical koala habitat which must be saved. Remember that each koala needs about 100 trees! There are also 53 threatened species which have been identified in this forest!LOCATION between Steve Irwin Way and Ewen Maddock dam. Beerwah State Forest Lot 1 AP22457. DESCRIPTION This is a 129ha public forest already popular for its wonderful and scenic mountain bike tracks and walks. It is also the backdrop for kayaking and paddling on the dam. It currently contains: • entirely remnant vegetation (at least 190 different native plant species have been identified in this section of forest) • vegetation which supports threatened species such as koalas, black glossy cockatoos, greater gliders and regent honeyeaters • large and old habitat trees with hollows • a significant cultural site for the Kabi Kabi people• an important link from Ewen Maddock Dam to Mooloolah River National Park • vegetation that is preventing soil erosion and therefore improving the water quality of the dam and surrounding waterways and rivers
LOGGING WILL LIKELY LEAD TO IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE & DESTRUCTION OF THIS FOREST & THE ANIMALS WHO RELY ON IT In 1999 it was agreed that this forest would transition to a protected area due to its significant conservation values. 2024 is the transition-to-protection date. The Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries plan to imminently and selectively remove 50% of the trees in this forest. This is based on the basal area of the tree. So rather than 50% of the number of trees being removed it will look more like all trees have been removed except ten old hollowed habitat trees in each ha (that’s approx one tree every 32m). (Refer to the code of practice) This, all on the background of: *SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 states that these core koala habitat forests are prohibited from being logged *SEQ being a biodiversity hotspot*exotic fungi (phytopthora and myrtle rust) now adversely affecting our native forests and therefore this could mean that the recovery from logging is impossible; take note of some of the bunya trees (outside of the protection of a forest) that are dying on the way in to Maleny *global warmingHOW CAN YOU HELP?Please join the Save Ferny Forest and Save Beerwah Forest FB groups and see our Save Ferny Forest website for more info and importantly please Email your concerns ASAP to:Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development & Fisheries - agriculture@ministerial.qld.gov.auAnnastacia Palaszczuk, Qld Premier - thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.auJason Hunt MP, Member for Caloundra - caloundra@parliament.qld.gov.auMeaghan Scanlon, Qld Environment Minister - environment@ministerial.qld.gov.auSunshine Coast Council Division 1 Councillor - Rick.Baberowski@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auCouncillor responsible for the Environment - Maria.Suarez@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auCouncillor who introduced Climate Emergency Declaration - David.Law@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auQld Dept of Environment and Science - QPWSandP.GlassHouse@des.qld.gov.auAustralian Dept of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - Environment.Compliance@awe.gov.au
