Stop logging in Victorian water catchments
From Envirowiki
Logging has been allowed in Melbourne's water catchments. This logging has been proven by scientific studies to decrease both the quality and quantity of water available to the city of Melbourne[reference needed].
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[edit] 2002: 21st Century Melbourne: a WaterSmart City. Strategy Directions Report
- Water Resources Strategy Committee for the Melbourne Area, May 2002
Recommendation: A detailed and comprehensive investigation into the feasibility of establishing plantations to allow for the phasing out of logging in Melbourne’s water supply catchments
Submissions: Most submissions were of the view that logging should cease in all water supply catchment areas due to the impact on water quality and the reduction in long-term water yield from the catchment.
A small number favoured the continuation of logging within catchment areas.
[edit] Plantation alternatives investigation
The Committee proposed a more detailed and comprehensive investigation into the feasibility of establishing plantations to allow for the phasing out of logging within Melbourne’s water supply catchment areas.
If the investigation confirms that plantations are feasible, the Committee recommends that an implementation plan, to phase out logging from within the catchments, be prepared.
Potential water savings: As an indication of the potential volumes of water involved, the gradual phasing out of logging in the Thomson catchment by 2020 could provide an estimated additional average annual volume of water of 20 gigalitres (20,000 ML) in 2050.
[edit] 2004: Victorian Government White Paper Securing Our Water Future Together
- Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, June 2004
Melbourne’s original water catchments are closed catchments and are managed as national parks. Logging will continue to be banned in those catchment areas. Improved water yields within catchments supplying water to Melbourne are important in securing Melbourne’s water supplies.
Action: The Government will:
- Undertake studies on the impact of logging on water yield of catchments in State forests supplying water to Melbourne;
- Develop options aimed at improving the water yield, including potential changes to management practices and phasing out logging in these areas;
- Assess the feasibility of establishing plantations outside State forests to offset any reductions in timber availability. This will be informed by the results of modelling and mapping work on high, medium and low-impact zones for plantations (refer Impacts of new plantation policy above); and
- Investigate the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of these options.
The Government will report on the findings of these studies and begin consultation with the timber industry, the community, and other stakeholders to develop a long-term plan that will aim to improve water yield outcomes for Melbourne’s catchments, while continuing to meet timber supply commitments
Until the logging and water investigations have been completed, the Government will ensure that logging rates in the State forests supplying water to Melbourne do not exceed the rates specified under existing arrangements between the Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria) and Melbourne Water. Once these studies have been completed and reported on, agreements between the Department and Melbourne Water will be formalised accordingly.
[edit] 2007: Logging in water catchments continues unchecked
- Final report in due, but not yet issued, no date available for its release. John Thwaites, 16 May 2007, stated that “work on the report is still in progress”
- No further community consultation has occurred.
- Logging continues in water catchments.
- 20 gigalitres of water lost from the Thomson River catchment each year is about 100,000 households’ usage.
- Total loss of water from Melbourne's catchments is around 30 gigalitres
- This equates to $11 million worth of desal water per year (3.9 billion total spend on desalination plant).
- Water Minister Tim Holding stated on ABC radio (774, Thu 6/12/07) that “logging in catchments is a matter of balance between all stakeholders and the Government believes we have got this right.
[edit] Desalination is not the answer
- Victoria’s proposed desalination plant will produce 150 billion litres (gigalitres) of water per year.
- The plant will cost an estimated $3.1 billion and be completed by late 2011, and includes an 85 kilometre pipeline connecting it to Melbourne.
- The plant will be located in the Wonthaggi region.
- Cost of desal water will be at least $0.5 million per gigalitre, not including operating costs
- Logging in Melbourne’s water catchments results in the loss of 20 gigalitres of water each year which is equivalent to the water used by about 100,000 households. This equates to $11 million worth of desal water per year.
- The total value of the water lost subsequent to logging far exceeds the low value of the woodchips, timber and royalties. Victorians would be $147m better off per year if logging of catchments stopped.
- The desal plant will consume a large proportion of Victoria’s renewable energy (mainly windpower) production.
[edit] External links
- Desal option doesn't hold water, Kenneth Davidson, The Age, December 10, 2007
- Logging rainforest within the Melbourne's domestic water supply catchments., Victorian Rainforest Network
- Your Water Your Say. Action group of families and individuals concerned that the future water provision in Victoria is achieved through environmentally sustanible means. They are working relentlessly to establish the groundwork for the anti-desalination campaign.
