Ranges Trader
Cockatoo man faces court
Roads take a hit in the Hills
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Tuesday, 19 September, 2023
A Star News Group Publication
Barrington takes on Everest for Foothills
Emerald wins premiership in stellar performance
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Squeezing out tunes Playing an instrument was always part of Anthony Schulz’s life, inspired by his parents’ affinity for music but when it led him to the accordion, it hadn’t yet been recognised as an official instrument in Australia. Over time, Schulz became more passionate about the intricate sounds of the accordion and its relatively unknown addition when live on stage. Bringing his love of the instrument to the rest of Melbourne, Schulz is helping host the accordion festival as president of the Victorian branch of the Accordion Society of Australia. To read more, turn to page 9 Anthony Schulz was destined to play music, picking the accordion as his instrument of choice. 360650 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Controversial clearing of storm damage stirs up lasting anger ...
Forest fight burns The Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group (SDLG) has continued its fight against the clearing of the Dandenong Ranges National Park by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), protesting the works on Saturday 2 September. Concerns were raised by the group in late June after the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) released details of two sites set to be cleared of excess debris after the storms in 2021. Forest Fire
Management Victoria (FFMV) Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman told Star Mail in June that FFMV would address the “increased risk” at the two sites by removing the heavy debris from roadsides up to 40 metres off the tracks. “This action will allow us to resume planned burning at the sites in the future. It will also limit ground disturbance within the park and protect environmental values,” Mr Hardman said. But with Lyrebird nests and hundreds of correa plants said to be in the zone of destruc-
tion from the debris removal, SDLG president Rob Pergl said it sets a bad precedent. “Removing fallen trees for commercial viability will set a dangerous precedent for future national park management and is driving poor planning by Forest Fire Management Victoria,” he said. FFMVic has insisted the exercise is purely a safety issue coming into bushfire season and is not ‘logging’ for commercial purposes. Continuing to raise their voice, over 100 people protested the clearing efforts to protect
the natural flora and fauna of the Dandenong Ranges. “These forests are crucial, not just for our biodiversity and for threatened species, but for First Nations and cultural values, for local communities, and for ensuring the stability of our climate,” ecologist from WWF Australia Dr Kita Ashman said. Works are scheduled to be started by FFMVic in late spring. To read the full story turn to page 5
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