New Evidence on Decline of Pilliga Ironbarks Media release 21 November 2000

Research conducted by David Paull, scientist and Western Woodlands Officer for National Parks Association of NSW has highlighted the plight of the ironbark in the Pilliga and the urgent need to protect what is left of this vanishing ecosystem.

His findings were presented today, 21 November, at the Perfurmed Pineries Conference held in Coonabarabran from 20 to 24 November.

"Ironbark was the tree of choice for railway sleepers since the Forestry Commission was established early last century" said Mr Paull. "Logging of this species has left it at critically low densities across its distribution in the Pilliga."

The study shows that before the Pilliga was used widely for sleepers, densities of Narrow-leaf Ironbark were at around 24 large trees per hectare. Now current levels of the same species are estimated at around two large trees per hectare.

"That’s a decline of over 90% from pre-European densities," said Mr Paull. "The ecological and economic sustainability of this resource has been severely compromised through over use and by silvicultural programs undertaken by the then Forestry Commission during the 60’s and 70s".

"Ironbarks once formed a magnificent woodland in areas such as Pilliga West. Now it occurs at levels which can barely support wildlife dependent on this important habitat component. You are more likely to see possums in towns than you are in the forest at the moment".

"Small patches still exist where the density of this ironbark species is at best half of pre-European levels. Yet they are still not safe from hardwood logging to provide low-value products such as droppers for electric fences."

"Ironbark is a beautiful timber and well suited for furniture and other craft uses that could still employ local people" said Mr Paull.

"There is an urgent need to protect this species in areas where it is still found in good numbers because this vegetation type is largely underrepresented within national parks and nature reserves. There is room in the Pilliga for additional reserves as well as locally-based value-added uses for this vanishing tree."

"The NPA seeks the immediate protection of significant parts of the Pilliga woodland in a new Pilliga National Park following the recent completion of the first-stage regional assessment over the area," concluded Mr Paull.

For more information, contact: David Paull 02 68850504 or 0428601013.

| National Parks Association of NSW | NPA Western Woodlands Index |