After discovering a dead endangered marsupial, Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) has been issued a stop-work order in a state-owned forest near Canberra.
Key points:
- EPA investigators discovered a dead southern greater glider beside a logging area within the Tallaganda State Forest
- The environmental regulator has put in place a 40-day stop-work order, which can be extended
- The WWF has called the forest "ground zero" for the endangered species
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said it investigated an area of Tallaganda State Forest on Wednesday after it received a complaint from the community.
Investigators discovered a dead southern greater glider 50 metres from an area logged by the state-owned organisation.
A 40-day order to halt harvesting and haulage operations has been put in place for parts of the forest.
It is not yet known how the glider died.
After habitat destruction caused by the Black Summer bushfires, EPA acting executive director of operations Steve Orr says the species is increasingly making their dens in tree hollows in unburnt forest areas.
"While community reports suggested around 400 southern greater gliders may be living in the Tallaganda State Forest, FCNSW has identified only one den tree," he said.
"We are not confident that habitat surveys have been adequately conducted to ensure all den trees are identified.
"The EPA has a strong compliance and enforcement program for native forestry, and we will take immediate action where warranted, including issuing stop-work orders for alleged non-compliance."
FCNSW said it was "fully complying" with the stop work order, and its teams on site were investigating what had occurred.
"We are fully committed to investigating what has occurred and finding out what the circumstances are around the greater glider found dead in the forest," a spokesperson said in a statement.
"Protecting greater glider habitat is crucial, and Forestry Corporation has spent many months preparing for these operations through intensive pre-harvest surveys to identify and map sensitive habitat and ecological features."
Tree harvesting to stop immediately
The stop-work order means the state-owned corporation must immediately stop all harvesting, haulage operations, and any road and track construction work in the areas of concern in the forest.
The order comes after the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia has raised concerns with the discovery of what it says is "crucial" habitat for the glider in the area.
WWF conservation scientist Kita Ashman said she has written to the government to urge logging in the region to be stopped.
"This habitat is ground zero in the race to save this critically threatened species," she said.
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, the EPA says, and a further $165,000 for each day the offence continues.
The EPA investigation is ongoing, and it says the order could be extended.