Save the Greater Glider from logging
in Queensland’s State Forests

ELA prepared a risk assessment and DAF has responded with Protection Measures. Both documents are available online at https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/greater-glider-yellow-bellied-glider-protection-measures. link

It is clear that the Greater Glider and Yellow-bellied Glider Risk Assessment by ELA is not an independent scientific analysis of the impacts of logging in Queensland. It is a consultancy report commissioned by DAF and prepared in conjunction with DAF staff and involved one workshop and regular meetings to “discuss feasible (our emphasis) options for enhancing (our emphasis) the protection” of the two glider species. It can be reasonably concluded that there was the underlying assumption that logging would continue in the habitat of the threatened species with possibly reduced impacts.

Note that the purpose was to enhance protection not eliminate threats from logging.

ARCS has prepared a detailed response summarised here.

• It is clear that selective logging has a significant impact on the Greater Glider. Whereas DAF’s proposed Protection Measures may produce a small decrease in the impact, DAF is proposing to continue significantly impacting this endangered species.
• The overall approach of the risk assessment and DAF’s response does not appear to take account of the fact that the Greater Glider is already endangered and in serious decline.
• Despite the endangered status of the Greater Glider, the proposed Protection Measures will result in the retention of just two extra trees per hectare in southern Queensland.

• Logging will remove up to 50% of the canopy cover within the >40 cm DBH class, effectively removing 50% of the essential food source for the endangered Greater Glider.
• The literature review refers to the study by one of the authors of the risk assessment which concluded that 85% of basal area needs to be retained to maintain one Greater Glider per 3 ha in southern Queensland.
• The risk assessment found ongoing selective logging will seriously degrade 31–70% of greater glider foraging habitat resulting in up to 70% decline in population which will be essentially irreversible.
• 76% of greater glider habitat and 14% of potential habitat is of major commercial timber value.
• 48% of greater glider habitat may be subject to logging.
• 66% of greater glider habitat is highly or very highly disturbed.
• 48% of yellow-bellied glider habitat is highly or very highly disturbed.
• The application of a policy to balance jobs and the environment is inappropriate for an endangered species.
• Greater gliders will be impacted by climate change and logging impacts will exacerbate the effect.

In essence, the Queensland Government is knowingly and unnecessarily adding to the threats already facing an endangered species.