UBAG Prints
'Fishers Loop Walking Track'
Walk Notes Brochure

Feb '07: As a first step towards revitalising
the activities of the UBAG, we have
printed a thousand copies of Glenn
Tempest's Walk 87 'Fishers Loop Walking Track' from his book Daywalks Around Melbourne, via his generous assistance.
Copies of this FREE brochure are
available to walking clubs and individuals
by contacting Bob Thompson.
See pic of outer page of brochure

Forest Alliance Releases
Definitive Report for
State Election in November

Sep '06: The 'Victorian Forest Alliance'
launched its election campaign with
release (on Sep 7th) of a plan - Choosing
a Future for Victoria's Forests - to save
forests, water, endangered species
and jobs. This plan sets out a vision for
protecting Victoria's old growth forests
and water catchments (including the
Bunyip catchment), and for generating
employment in an alternative industry
based upon a combination of an
expanded reserve of parks and Victoria's
vast store of hardwood and softwood plantations.
Download VFA Report (1494 KB PDF)
from The Wilderness Society

Melbourne Water replies
on Bunyip water issues

Jul '06: General Manager Waterways
for Melbourne Water, Chris Chesterfield,
has sent a detailed reply to the UBAG
on the issues raised by Bob Thompson.
He has acknowledged that reconnection
of Bunyip water "appears to have been
discounted" without any clear basis, and
has added that Melbourne Water will
suggest that this be reconsidered in its response to the draft water supply strategy process currently under way.
On sedimentation, he has acknowledged a "possible conflict between water quality and timber harvesting in the Bunyip catchment." There is important detail in the fine print
that will be explored further, so -
"keep watching this space".
Download Chesterfield's Reply (113 KB PDF)
Email your comments to Bob Thompson

Bob Thompson seeks
Melbourne Water's advice
re sedimentation and water
supply issues in the
Bunyip/Western Port area.

Jun '06: UBAG's president Bob Thompson
has sought advice from Melbourne
Water regarding a possible connection
between logging in the Bunyip Special
Water Supply Catchment and turbidity
affecting seagrass communities in
Western Port, a RAMSAR-declared area.
He has also asked for comment about a
possible diversion of Bunyip water to the
Tarago River to augment dwindling water
supplies to Melbourne and surrounds.
Comments on these issues/proposals
are invited from all interested members
of the public. Please write to state
members of parliament and the press,
and/or email your comments to Bob.
Download Request for Info (113 KB PDF)
Email your comments to Bob Thompson

Bunyip Recreation Framework Released by Minister

May '06: The long awaited Bunyip
Recreation Framework document has
been released by Minister Thwaites.
It does not portend joy for passive users
of the Bunyip River headwaters area,
who can expect heightened 4WD and
trail bike activity as a result of proposed
track closures in the Bunyip State Park -
to the south of the Bunyip State Forest.
You can download the Framework
from the Parks Victoria website.
Download Framework (2099 KB! PDF)

UBAG Responds to
Draft Bunyip Recreation
Framework

Jun '05: The UBAG has reponded with
comments on the Draft Bunyip Recreation
Framework doc that was released by
Parks Vic and DSE earlier this year.
You can get information here about the
draft proposals.
Download UBAG's Response (2042 KB! PDF)
Download No-Pics File (183 KB PDF)

Independent "Forests and
Forest Issues" report for
the Uniting Church

Jul '04: The Uniting Church of Australia
has commissioned a wide-ranging and
independent report to inform its Synod
and members about "Forests and Forest
Issues in Victoria and Tasmania", to provide
background information for in-house debate.
This report provides a comprehensive
and neutral discussion of the many divisive issues that separate conservationists and
the timber industry (as they apply to these
two states), and is recommended to all
interested parties. It is available here.