Independent research finds harvesting does not impact water quality
20 June 2024
New independent research by hydrology expert, Associate Professor Leon Bren, has found harvesting does not impact water quality.
In this research water quality was assessed by measuring stream turbidity, dissolved oxygen levels, and water temperature. Weekly samples were taken from 32 rivers and streams for periods ranging between 2 and 3 years. There were also 9 additional rivers and streams that were sampled as a reference set. The rivers and streams sampled feed into the Goulburn River, Thomson River and Yarra River catchments.
This large data set was used to statistically compare logged forested catchments to the unlogged forested catchments. The results showed:
"There was no discernible deterioration in water quality associated with the presence of logging in the stream catchments. It was concluded that logging in this environment was not a determinant of water quality."
This research shows the management practices VicForests used to protect waterways worked; putting to bed at long last the false allegations that our harvesting impacted water quality.