Sunday, February 2, 2020

Portland Koala 'Massacre'



By Marlowe Richmond



Controversy over the latest Koala deaths discovery.

From a small coastal town in South-west Victoria 




(A little disclaimer: I am not a journalist. I have not studied journalism nor am I paid for it. I am trying to find the truth behind the koala devastation in Southwest Victoria, the information gathered is from locals and firsthand.)


It has come to light in the last 5 days of a concerning discovery of live koalas being trapped inside a local block of land recently bulldozed, 15km west of Portland, Victoria. Social media has taken off, sharing photos and reports, however not all of it is true. We need to identify the correct information from people who witnessed and know exactly what happened. As a local to Portland, I watched the development of the failed plantation be removed over the past 5 months. The vegetation housed many species of local wildlife (reptiles, birds, echidnas, kangaroo’s, wallabies and koalas ) so it was assumed that when a fence went up that the animals would be removed and would stop any further ones from entering. The images shown are a comparison taken from the 31st of August to the 5th of October looking back towards the land in question, as you can clearly see the vegetation untouched on the left and then the cleared rows on the right. This is before and during the bulldozing taking place, we don’t know for sure when this clearing officially commenced... 



(31st August 2019, picture: MARLOWE RICHMOND)     (5th October 2019, picture: MARLOWE RICHMOND)           

On the 30th of January the town became aware of the distressed Koalas in the heat after local, Helen Oakley, discovered this disturbing situation the night before. We believe the animals were trapped and could not get access to resources, however we can’t be 100% sure they weren’t able to leave; as there have been reported sightings that they can climb over the fence. Regardless we do know that it is confirmed that dozens of koalas have been killed and some euthanized because they were so badly injured. Volunteers are still assessing the devastation and rescuing what is believed to be well over 100 Koalas, while vets have been working over the weekend trying to help what remains of this koala population. Photos have arisen across the internet of deceased animals wedged in the piles of demolished plantation, resident Helen Oakley shared a distressing video on the property which has gone viral. I don’t feel the need to share these grim images, but I’m sure you can see them posted elsewhere. There is a chance this could go global, all eyes focused on Portland but sadly not for the right reasons. There is no doubt there is more than koalas that have died due to these conditions, it is so disappointing to know that this state of affairs could have been avoided.  








(Photo Facebook: Helen Oakley and Janice Tonkin 30th January 2020)


                                                     
The State Government is now investigating further to find out who is responsible for the death of wildlife, South West Fibre has come out with a statement claiming they are not responsible, so who is? I have so many questions left unanswered on this whole situation; what is going to happen to the piles of trees? If they are to be burnt isn’t that a waste of resources?   
The chances of council members driving past in the last 5 months is practically certain, did they not see what was going on and question this themselves? Surely they would have to give permission to the owner/company and be watching to see if they follow protocols? Surely someone with status in this situation would have seen and passed this plan of destruction? Could this all have been avoided?


I do not want to take sides and cause any more outrage then what has already occurred, but I am guttered to know that in the current state of our country that this sort of immoral practices have happened and are most likely occurring elsewhere. It is absolutely appalling. I live in a blue gum plantation, does that mean the same fate will occur to the animals like that of which has befell these poor creatures?  We need to protect our country. All we can do now is wait for updates on ways we can help and stop this from happening in the future.

Please leave your comments below for a further discussion...

If you have any more information please email me at faceofthesouthwest@gmail.com

(Koala, Cape Bridgewater photo: MARLOWE RICHMOND)


links: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-02/koala-deaths-in-victorias-south-west-to-be-investigated/11922088?fbclid=IwAR2HNPWF2xH7xG5wxvbRO9AfK_XquXve5T5GDpAABxGi1BhCycc4V68hH9M

https://10play.com.au/theproject/news/2019/scores-of-koalas-have-died-from-logging-in-victoria/tpv200202gjsfo

https://www.midwaylimited.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/MR-re-koalas_2Feb2020_Final.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2AJHWvNP137ws_jkbjErzAN5A22HZy_Q6fFLdo0PkNht4En6659c_nZrQ

                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
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Monday, September 2, 2019

The Tour of the Great South Coast 2019



Over the past 6 days the 2019 Tour of the Great South Coast took place, one of Australia’s premier road cycling events that travel from South Australia to Victoria; with competitors from Australia, New Zealand and even international cyclists. The first stage began in Mount Gambier (South Australia) on the 27th of August, followed by Day 2 at Port MacDonnell, Day 3 at Naracoorte, Day 4 crossing the border racing from Casterton to Heywood (Victoria), Day 5 Cape Bridgewater and finishing up in the main street in Portland on the 1st of September.

This was my first cycling event I had been to and I must admit it was quite exhilarating. I waited till Stage 7 because I live at Cape Bridgewater and it was easiest for me... The day started off with a cool spring breeze, the salty air hovering over the town and the cyclists warming up before the race. By the time midday came around the sun was beating down and the riders were ready to push off. I was astounded how fast they started, it was definitely an experience. The circuit went around 4 laps of the Bridgewater Lakes and ended back in the centre of the town at 3:00pm. It was quite funny because we would wait out the front of my house for the cyclists to come back, and in breaks we had lunch and would suddenly be running up the drive way to catch them for that split 10 seconds or so. To anyone else seeing my family and I running back and forth would have had a royal laugh. When the riders crossed the finish line the temperature had warmed up and the blue sky matched the crystal ocean; if you have never been to Cape Bridgewater than you need to get out there ASAP!

The next day was the final stage and day of The Tour of the Great South Coast, the town had been overshadowed with clouds but that didn’t stop spectators and the cyclists from pursuing this final race. Now I thought they were fast the day before, Sunday was a whole other level of speed. The riders battled the rain but remained strong as they did the CBD criterium and racing along the waterfront. For someone who isn’t particular interested in the cycling it was a real eye opener to see the strength and sheer determination of people, these sort of races also allow spectators to view the surrounding and adventure. If you missed out on this event, don’t fear because this November the GREAT VICTORIAN BIKE RIDE will be passing through the beautiful Portland. Keep watching to see more information as the date gets closer (22NOV-1DEC) and that leads to the end of this years Tour of the Great South Coast, till next time....

By Marlowe Richmond aka the Face of the Southwest

To book tours and  learn more visit: http://www.visitportland.com.au/

Follow me as I explore Portland on Face of the Southwest:


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And soon to be YouTube...
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
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