We have word today that the Forest Practice Plan for the logging of Coupe NI114A is going to be certified “within the week” , ie, before December 29, 2004.
Despite informing Forestry Tasmania that any logging (including roadworks will have potentially adverse effects on the water supply of an entire town, ie, St Marys, they don’t seem concerned.
The proposed logging of South Sister was first noted by residents in September 2003.
Since then, local residents have been trying to stop the Forestry from logging one of the local icons, a prominent and major tourist area in St Marys, an area used by locals regularly for rock climbing, bushwalking, bird watching, horse riding and mountain bike riding.
It is home to threatened species (4 on the coupe and another 18 recorded in the surrounding area) which include the blind velvet worm (worldwide habitat of only 159 sq km including South Sister), the giant velvet worm (a slightly larger habitat at 600 sq km!), euphrasia collina deflexifolia, eucalyptus brookeriana (protected under the RFA), wedge tailed eagle, spotted tailed quoll, eastern barred bandicoot to name but a few.
A recent entomological survey revealed 6 moths never reported in a Tasmanian National Park and two rare lichens have also been found on the South Sister (with about 150 others identifed also!).
A botanical survey found 86 species just on the coupe (165 hectares) and additional surveys would probably reveal many more. Many scientists have remarked how biodiverse this area is but as the north eastern part of Tasmania has had little research in the past, it is an unknown hot spot!
Known landslip area
As if this is not enough to prevent the destruction, many residents living nestled under the South Sister draw water from springs and streams of the proposed coupe for both domestic (including hydroelectricity) and agricultural/horticultural use.
The area is a well known landslip area with recent slips after heavy rains. Any logging in the area (and subsequent fires) will lead to destruction of understorey, potential damage to springs and increased erosion particularly after heavy rains.
Residents stand to lose their water and those relying on the water for farming, may lose their livelihoods if water quantity is affected.
In recent months it has also come to our attention that the St Marys water supply comes from a bore. This bore has been drilled close to a major fracture zone (with the intention of hitting this fracture or coming in close contact).
The Gould fault line runs from this fracture and ends up in the proposed coupe! Any logging may have an adverse effect on this fault line resulting in changes to quantity and quality of water for all those in the St Marys Water District.
Near end of road
After months of letter writing, lobbying and trying to convince the Forestry of the enormous values of this area, we are nearly at the end of the road. Attempts to get the council and DPIWE to take notice of the water issue has fallen on deaf ears.
But we continue to fight to get the South and North Sisters made into a State Reserve to link up with existing reserves to provide and maintain long term protection of the flora, fauna and their habitat.
We desperately need help – we will be taking legal action if the Forest Practices Board certifies the plan but we need financial assistance to do so. If you can help or know of anyone who can, please let us know, and email us at [email protected]
For more information about Save our Sisters please visit Save our Sisters and for those of you who are able, please help.
We need it!
