South West Fibre completely rejects claims of harming koalas
Media Statement
2 February 2020
South West Fibre completely rejects claims of harming koalas
South West Fibre (SWF) is aware of disturbing allegations distributed on social media regarding the death of koalas on a property near Portland, Victoria.
In October 2019, SWF was engaged by the landowner of the property to remove a number of trees in a legitimate harvesting operation approved by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and consistent with the SWF Koala Management Plan. Following the work the site was handed back to the landowner in November 2019. SWF left an appropriate number of ‘habitat trees’ for the existing koala population and provided details of such in a letter to the landowner noting that the koalas were uninjured and in good health.
It is understood that subsequent to SWF completing its work, the remaining trees have since been cleared. This is particularly concerning to the foresters and staff who worked assiduously to protect the koalas during the harvesting operation.
SWF always employs proven practices with respect to protecting wildlife in forests and this commitment is recognised in various certifications held by the company.
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Media contact:
Rob Hadler
T: 0437 745 462
E: robert.hadler@yahoo.com.au
About SWF
South West Fibre Pty Ltd (SWF) is a plantation hardwood processing and marketing operation in the Green Triangle in south western Victoria and is a joint venture between Midway Limited and Mitsui.
Midway’s Graduate Speaks at the ForestTECH Conference
Our Graduate Forester, Jinglan Wang, along with Kelsey Johnson from PF Olsen recently spoke at the ForestTECH Conference in Melbourne on the topic of Young Innovators.
Among other topics, Jinglan discussed what attracted her to a career in forestry, how her time with Midway in the Graduate Program has been going and how we can encourage younger people to enter the industry.
Jinglan’s excellent performance was very well received by all, and will no doubt help to promote the Midway Graduate Program for prospective applicants.
Xavier Christian College visits Plantation Management Partners
Students from Xavier Christian College (XCC) on Bathurst Island recently visited PMP’s operations on Melville Island.
We started with a tour of the harvest sites, Yapilika Forestry Centre and the Port. The visit was part of the Senior Students Employment Pathways Program to look at potential jobs after finishing their schooling. The students were shown the various employment opportunities Midway offer including machine operators, camp administration, mechanical and fitting positions, warehousing and stores, environmental work and community engagement. The students were attentive and asked many questions about the work place and what they need to do to be job ready when they finish school. We were pleased to see the following article in the XCC August newsletter and look forward to seeing them again in the future.
Learn moreMidway Plantations feature in The Ultimate Renewable™ TV campaign
Midway is a member of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) , a not-for-profit company that provides national, integrated research and development services to the Australian forest and wood products industry. FWPA launched an advertising campaign in June 2019 to share the environmental advantages of forestry and wood products, as consumers increasingly look for alternatives to unsustainable materials. The campaign comes off the back of the development of a new brand, The Ultimate Renewable™ based on extensive industry and consumer research conducted by consultancy Pollinate.
The Ultimate Renewable™, provides a universal, positive communications message for the sector to share. It’s all about reframing forestry in the eyes of the public, by making and continually reinforcing the association between wood and the word ‘renewable’. This aims to encourage the community to embrace forest and wood products across the supply chain.
Midway supports The Ultimate Renewable™ campaign and branding , and parts of the footage of the TV advertisement for the campaign show Peter Maddison walking through Midway owned plantations at Barramunga, and the Arbogen nursery in Colac, a supplier to Midway for over 10 years.