Among the many 'publications' cited in the old-NRE's Forest Management Plan - Central Highlands (May, 1998) there is one that provides particularly interesting reading to all who wish to conserve the '350 Upper Bunyip' forestry block... it is

Andrew, D.L., Lumsden, L.F. and Dixon, J.M. (1984) Sites of Zoological Significance in the Westernport Region

published by the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria - that's DSE under a former name!

But you won't find this document on the Web - unlike most of the other cited references in the current Forestry Management Plan!

Perhaps this is not surprising because it contains clear expressions 'from the horses mouth' that the 350 Block should not be logged for a variety of environmental reasons!

Here are some relevant extracts:
(with bolding etc. inserted by the UBAG for appropriate emphasis!)

Section 2.4.1
"All the catchment of the upper reaches of the Bunyip River should be included in the Bunyip State Park, and logging totally excluded, as this area contains the only stands of mature Mountain Ash and Antarctic Beech in the catchment and is potentially very valuable habitat for the rare Leadbeater's possum (refer 6.2.1 (i), p. 91) and probably provides breeding sites for the Sooty Owl (refer 6.2.2 (v), p. 123) and Powerful Owl (refer 7.2 (N1), p. 160).

Section 2.4.5
"Monitoring and some control over the numbers of trail bikes may be required to limit damage caused by extensive use of tracks and disturbance from excessive noise. Trail bikes should be excluded from some areas, such as the Upper Bunyip River, to allow for more passive forms of recreation such as bushwalking and studying the natural environment (refer 7.2 (N1), p. 163).

Section 3.1
"The distribution and abundance of Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) in the northern section of the catchment, especially the upper reaches of the Bunyip River, should be further investigated and an adequate conservation programme instigated."

Sections 3.8 - 3.24 contains
"The status and distribution of the Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in the north-east of the catchment should be investigated."

"Further investigations to determine if any other colonies of the Bent-winged Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) or any other cave dwelling bat species occur in the catchment."

"Further investigations into the bat fauna of the area is required to determine their distribution and habitat preference."

"Investigations into the distribution and breeding status of the Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa) in the northern area of the catchment should be continued."

"Further investigations into the status and distribution of the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) should be undertaken."

"Further investigations into the effects on the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of current forestry practices should be undertaken."

Section 6.2.1 contains (with reference to Leadbeater's Possum)
"Leadbeater's possum was recently rediscovered in the Westernport catchment (..) on the edge of the Gembrook State Forest by E. McNabb and R. Loyn in April 1981. (..) Its abundance and local distribution within the catchment is yet to be determined. The Bunyip valley immediately to the south of this site is one of the few areas in the central highlands which escaped the 1939 bushfires and contains one of the finest stands of mature Mountain Ash in the Westernport catchment. The creekside vegetation is dominated by ferns and Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus cunninghami), the latter being a relic of wetter climates of the past and which today only survives in wet, sheltered, undisturbed environments (Gullan et al., 1979).
Although Leadbeater's possum has not yet been recorded from the Bunyip valley, this area has not been thoroughly surveyed and future investigations may reveal its presence there. The Bunyip valley probably provided a refuge for Leadbeater's possum throughout the 1939 fires from which it is able to recolonize surrounding areas of regenerating Mountain Ash as it reaches a suitable age."

Section N1 - The Blue Range - Mt Beenak
"Significance: National

Delineation: This site includes the catchment of the upper reaches of the Bunyip River north of its confluence with Back Creek [now 'Black Snake Creek'] and the catchment of Back Creek (refer Fig. 5). (...)

Management: Areas in which Leadbeater's possum was recorded or are thought to provide important habitat for this species, such as the stands of mature Mountain Ash in the upper reaches of the Bunyip River, should be protected and excluded from logging practices. (...) All of the catchment of the Upper Bunyip River should be included in the Bunyip State Park. Logging should be excluded from this area. (..) In some areas, e.g. the Upper Bunyip River, trail bikes should be excluded to allow for more passive forms of recreation, i.e. bushwalking, birdwatching."

The UBAG challenges NRE to reply to the following :

During the period since this CFL report was brought down
in 1984 ...

1. Has NRE commissioned scientific studies (as suggested above) to thoroughly investigate occurrence and distribution of threatened faunal species referenced in this report in the area(s) referenced - and in particular, the 350 Upper Bunyip forestry block?

2. If detailed scientific study has been carried out as suggested by these authors, what findings came out of these studies, and where are these published?

3. If detailed scientific study has not been carried out as suggested by these authors, what possible justification can NRE provide at this time (2002/03) for logging of the 350 Block, in clear contradiction of the recommendations of these respected in-house authors?

In the light of this damning evidence, the UBAG appeals to all forest-loving people to JOIN THE UPPER BUNYIP ACTION GROUP and begin writing letters NOW that call for a halt to logging in the 350 Upper Bunyip forestry block while proper scientific studies are conducted throughout the block!

Damning Botanical Evidence As Well !

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