Forestry services chief goes

Claire Miller, Environment Reporter, The Age (article), 9/8/2001

Back to Letters Back to Forest Letter Watch

The head of Victoria's troubled forestry services, Gerard O'Neill, is leaving the job to take up a senior position with Parks Victoria next month. Mr O'Neill is departing at a critical point as the State Government struggles to regain public and industry confidence in its forest management following revelations of massive overlogging.

The new executive director for forestry services will be Ken King, Parks Victoria's deputy chief executive officer. Mr King, a forester by training, was the Department of Natural Resources and Environment's executive director for regional management until he was seconded to Parks last year.

A spokeswoman for Conservation and Environment Minister Sherryl Garbutt said Mr King had broad experience in dealing with community expectations and demands after managing the department's 200 regional offices.

The conservation movement welcomed the changing of the top guard in forestry services.   Gavan McFadzean, of the Wilderness Society, said Mr O'Niell drove an industrial forestry agenda and his departure could only be a step forward.

Marcus Ward, of the Cobaw and Wombat Forest Action Group, said he hoped Mr O'Neill's departure signalled a change in the government's approach. "Let's hope it is good news."

Back to Letters Back to Forest Letter Watch