Liam McNally
Environalist group Extinction Rebellion undertook a demonstration on Friday, March 17, in an attempt to get clearer answers on the fate of a Gordon koala population.
The koalas have taken up residence in a 17 hectare blue gum plantation located on the Western Freeway, in Gordon, which is leased by Midway Limited, on land owned by Central Highlands Water (CHW).
Extinction Rebellion has been seeking information from CHW and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to ensure that the wildlife within the Gordon plantation is looked after when the trees are due for harvest.
The Ballarat arm of the group protested outside the CHW building after becoming frustrated at a lack of clear answers.
Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Miriam Robinson said that after nine months off seeking answers the group is “tired of being given the runaround”.
“We are entitled to answers to these important questions… the koalas cannot speak for themselves, so once again it is up to the community to advocate on their behalf,” she said.
A Conservation Regulator spokesperson said companies undertaking harvesting operations where koalas may be disturbed must first be issued an authorisation which includes strict conditions to ensure koalas are detected and managed during operations.
Two of the questions at the core of Extinction Rebellion’s protest were when is harvesting planned to commence and when will the koalas be relocated?
A CHW spokesperson said CHW has no formal role in any harvest of the plantation but is unaware of any current plan for the harvest of the plantation.
“We would expect to be made aware of any plans in advance of harvest and are awaiting notification from the plantation owner on this,” they said.
“CHW understands that the plantation owner is continuing to work toward an application for the relocation of koalas in the plantation prior to any harvest.”
The Conservation Regulator said it has not received an application to translocate koalas from a blue gum plantation near Gordon.
Ms Robinson said Extinction Rebellion’s awareness raising action “achieved its purpose”.
“We need to be treating our koalas with more care and respect, accepting them as collateral damage as the price of doing business is not acceptable in this day and age,” she said.
Midway Limited were contacted for comment.
