Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

Ever been irritated by the rubbish dumping thing? Of course, most people are—and most people wonder: what kind of person would dump rubbish in beautiful places like our bushlands?

But there’s another dimension to this problem: it starts at the source.

Plastic dominated rubbish pile at the Railway dam a few years ago. FOBIF has an extensive collection of photos of similar rubbish all over our region. Of course, dumpers are to blame, but the real problem starts at the production point.

Here are some fun facts: in 1950, the world produced 2 million tonnes of plastic. In 2022, the figure was 475 million tonnes; at present rates of increase, it will top 1000 million tonnes by 2060.

As if these figures weren’t bad enough, consider this: of the above quantities, 9% is recycled, about 50% ends in landfill, 19% is incinerated…and 22% slops around the planet, most dangerously in the oceans: it’s been estimated that 15 tonnes of plastic is dumped in the sea every minute!

And, of course, it’s hard not to notice that a large part of the stuff dumped in our bush is plastic.

How can such insanity persist? Guess what: it’s because plastic is ‘cheaper’ than alternative substances! And convenient, of course. If you have the stomach for some terrifying stats about Australia’s plastic use, check here.

There’s a UN conference in Geneva right now to try to hammer out a treaty to limit plastic damage: for more details check here.

And if you want to sign a Greenpeace petition urging Australia to commit to such a treaty, check here.

Split rock Tarrengower-Gen Blades

17th August Mount Tarrengower, Maldon

This is a scenic 5 km walk at Mount Tarrengower with Indigenous sites, local flora and great views of the surrounding countryside. The walk is of moderate difficulty, with some short, steep sections, walking off track on the ascent to the top and returning down the road. Walk leaders are Lisa Hall, Frances Cincotta and Gen Blades. Meet at the Castlemaine Community House at 9.30am or Butts Reserve, Mount Tarrengower Road at 9.50am.
Contact: Gen Blades 0431 371 065

Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group and Connecting Country are presenting an intriguing event-Taking Root in Barkers Creek – an immersive soundwork/documentary exploring the environmental damage left by the 1850s goldrush – and how to fix it.
This is followed by supper and discussion.
Tickets

Wombat Forest Care have had success writing to politicians about Victorian Environmental Assesment Council (VEAC) matters. They have started a letter writing campaign to prompt the government to legislate the Central West Parks without delay.

Can you write to Maree Edwards, The Hon. Steve Dimipoilos and The Hon Jacinta Allan to legislate Mt Cole-Pyrenees and Wellsford Forests immediately, as recommended by VEAC?

These forests contain important plant and animal commumnities. According to VEAC, the variety of vegetation types in the Mount Cole–Pyrenees block provide habitat for a high diversity of flora and fauna, with 51 rare or threatened plants and 48 threatened animal species having been recorded here. Seventeen species that are part of the threatened Victorian temperate woodland bird community have been recorded in this block.

The Wellsford block provides habitat for a high diversity of flora and fauna including 32 rare or threatened species and a further seven members of the threatened woodland bird community.

Please email-

Maree Edwards MP
maree.edwards@parliament.vic.gov.au

The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for the Environment
Reception.Dimopoulos@deeca.vic.gov.au

The Hon. Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria
jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au

The government has accepted the VEAC recommendation for a new Wombat-Lerderderg national park.