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Pine plantation ruling gives community hopeMember for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has welcomed the result of the recent VCAT hearing, which ruled against a proposal to establish a 456ha pine plantation in the Dellicknora Valley, as a resounding victory for the remote community. By news@gippsland - 30th June 2004 - Back to News "In a classic case of ‘David vs. Goliath’, a small group of committed local property owners, who were fighting for the very survival of their isolated community, took on the might of one of the large corporate plantation companies and won," Mr Ingram said.
"The VCAT ruling has vindicated the original decision by the East Gippsland Shire Council, to refuse a planning permit, for the establishment of a pine plantation in the Dellicknora valley.
"Further, the VCAT decision has set a precedent, which will give the community hope against any further encroachment of pine plantations in the Tubbut, Deddick and Dellicknora areas.
"In addition to the obvious environmental and social impact concerns, VCAT has recognised the unique situation of the residents of remote communities in East Gippsland, with severely limited availability of freehold land and restrictions on clearing of native vegetation."
Mr Ingram said it was now, more than ever essential, that the government, in conjunction with shire councils, establish clearer planning guidelines for appropriate development of pine plantations, whilst recognising the socio-economic and fire-risk implications on local communities.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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