Hancock Watch
June 2014 Updates
May 2014: Vaggs Creek/Strzelecki Ranges: This inconspicuous
site is one the most important koala hotspots in the Strzelecki Ranges. Numerous
scats have been found in the bluegum native forest and adjoining radiata pine
plantations. Pine needles have also been observed in koala scats. What impact
does logging have on koalas frequenting radiata pine plantations in close proximity
to native forest.
May 2014: Vaggs Creek/Strzelecki Ranges: Bluegums are koalas
preferential feed source. High numbers of koalas have been recorded in both
native forest and plantation at this site.
ditto
May 2014: Vaggs Creek/Strzelecki Ranges cable harvesting.
May 2014: Middle Creek/Strzelecki Ranges - FSC certified creek crossing.
May 2014: Dead Strzelecki koala found on Monash Way after
being hit by a car. Cars, dogs and logging are major threats to Koalas. It has
been estimated that up to recently, Hancock were killing 5 koalas per week as
a result of their logging operations. This amounts to 260 animals a year. Hancock
have been operating in the Strzeleckis for 16 years. Have they killed over 4000
koalas in that time?
June 2014: Morwell River/Strzelecki Ranges - To access logging
coupes, Hancock have had to punch an access track through the Grand Ridge Road
Scenic Reserve, near Gunyah Gunyah.
June 2014: Morwell River/Strzelecki Ranges - Another view
of the access track put through the Grand Ridge Road Scenic Reserve, near Gunyah
Gunyah.
June 2014: Morwell River/Strzelecki Ranges - Even Hancock
PR acknowledge the significance of the Gunyah Gunyah Reserve, yet that doesn't
stop them putting a logging road through it.
June 2014: Morwell River/Strzelecki Ranges. Inside the
new logging coupe just outside the Grand Ridge Road Scenic Reserve at Gunyah
Gunyah.
June 2014: Morwell River Snakeback Track/Strzelecki Ranges.
Removal of more native vegetation at this highly significant koala site.
June 2014: Morwell River Snakeback Track/Strzelecki Ranges. Old growth
Mountain Ash (E. regnans).
June 2014: Morwell River Snakeback Track/Strzelecki Ranges. Logging inside
cores and links reserve.
June 2014: Morwell River Snakeback Track/Strzelecki Ranges.
Retained native vegetation...for how long?
June 2014: Ruby Track/Strzlecki Ranges. Obvious signs of
wet weather work. What does this do to the soil biota?
June 2014: Ruby Track/Strzlecki Ranges. Obvious signs of
wet weather work.
June 2014: Ruby Track/Strzlecki Ranges.
June 2014: Ruby Track/Strzlecki Ranges. Cores and Links
Rainforest Reserve taking a hit at this location.
June 2014: Agnes River/Strzlecki Ranges. Road "cording"
to compensate for wet weather in Cores and Links Rainforest Reserve.
June 2014: Agnes River/Strzlecki Ranges. Logging inside
Cores and Links Rainforest Reserve.
June 2014: Agnes River/Strzlecki Ranges. Logging inside
Cores and Links Rainforest Reserve.
June 2014: Agnes River/Strzlecki Ranges. Revegetation/tree
planting inside Cores and Links Rainforest Reserve.
June 2014: Middle Creek Catchment/Strzlecki Ranges. This
plantation acts as a "Wall" denying koalas to move between koala hotspots
in Morwell National Park and Vaggs Creek. Koalas then have to survive as "island"
communities.