Part of the traditional lands of the Bidawel people, Goolengook has been a hotly contested area since it was 'discovered' by forest activists in 1996. Following the longest community blockade of forestry operations ever held in Victoria, which ended when an enormous mono-pole structure over the Goolengook river was removed by police, much of the valley was logged. Since then community pressure has resulted in the protection of most of the remaining areas of old growth and rainforest.

The cool temperate rainforests of East Gippsland are different to those elsewhere in the state as there is a total absence of the myrtle beech which is dominant in many other southern rainforests. In contrast, southern sassafras dominates the rainforest canopy.

A summer visit to the rainforest usually gives a welcome cool relief from the heat!You can check out a virtual tour of Victoria's rainforests at: http://www.vicrainforest.org/

Victorian Rainforest Network.

Written by  Cam Walker.

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The not so peaceful Goolengook Valley

Actually the local community lost out due to the arrival of the so-called activists in 1996. The fact was that this area has been managed for decades by local foresters and the community (including local indigenous peoples), a testimony given the high level of old-growth forest and rainforest that is present. The minority anarchists arrived and divided the community yet again after decades of public consultation about the management of these forests. Nice to visit and protest if you don't live within the/a community.

 

Review posted 9th January 2008 by The Silent Voice.

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