Timber estimates no simple matter

Mark Poynter, Alphington, The Age (letter), 24/4/2002

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Ken Duxbury's assertion that the Department of Natural Resources and Environment doesn't care about our forests (19/4) is unfortunately typical of criticisms from the vocal elements of an urbanised society far removed from reality.

As a professional forester with more than 20 years' experience, I invite Ken to get out of the inner suburbs and see the difficulties of estimating standing timber volumes.

If Ken knows "what selective logging is all about", he should appreciate that when practised in unsuitable forest types (as was common 100 years ago), it usually results in forests lacking a regrowth class and a viable longterm future. Ken seems to be unaware that 75 to 80 per cent of Victoria's forests are already contained in National Parks and reserves, or are unavailable for logging. Surely this demonstrates that the department is catering adequately for all forest values.


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