The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has extended a Stop Work Order applying to parts of Tallaganda State Forest, as Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) has not yet addressed alleged deficiencies in previous Stop Work Orders to search for and protect Southern Greater Glider den trees.
EPA Executive Director Operations, Jason Gordon said the further Stop Work Order will be in place for 40 days until 20 December 2023.
“Since the first Stop Work Order was issued in August, the EPA has recorded 89 endangered Southern Greater Gliders and 20 den trees in the areas subject to the order that were earmarked for harvesting by FCNSW,” Mr Gordon said.
“Den trees are critical for food, shelter and movement of gliders and FCNSW is required to protect them and implement 50 metre exclusion zones around them.
“Our glider surveys confirm that more can be done to protect and conserve this species by identifying and protecting glider den trees and these Stop Work Orders are necessary to ensure that work is done.”
The initial Stop Work Order commenced after EPA officers inspected several active logging compartments in Tallaganda State Forest.
Mr Gordon said the EPA is also continuing its investigation into other alleged breaches detected in Tallaganda State Forest, based on the EPA’s ongoing inspections following community complaints.
These investigations include a range of alleged non-compliances with the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval (CIFOA) such as alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities, alleged damage to environmentally sensitive areas and alleged failure to retain trees in accordance with the CIFOA.
“The EPA has a strong compliance and enforcement program for native forestry, and we will continue with our investigations and take appropriate regulatory action where required. The EPA expects FCNSW to meet the requirements in the CIFOA to protect Southern Greater Gliders,” Mr Gordon said.
Separately, the EPA has also commenced discussions with FCNSW to strengthen the survey requirements in the CIFOA to ensure the future protection of Southern Greater Glider habitat.
Failure to comply with a Stop Work Order is a serious offence and can attract a maximum court-imposed penalty of up to $1,650,000 and a further $165,000 for each day the offence continues.
The Stop Work Orders are available on the EPA website here: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/native-forestry/regulating/stop-work-orders
