Bob Loone

When he does that, I along with members of the Western Rivers Preservation Trust, look forward to meeting Mr. Rolley at Chudleigh for a two day inspection of some of the areas which Forestry Tasmania has been unable to regenerate. We will also be taking video record of the inspections and proceedings, which we will feel free to use as we wish.

As a very much shortened version was published, here for the readers of oldtt.pixelkey.biz, the full response as sent to the editor of the Tasmanian Country weekly newspaper.

Dear Sir,

I thank Mr. Rolley for replying to my letter, however I must remind him that it was he who claimed, see Tasmanian Country June 23 2006, subject; ‘Two Visions’ video, that, ‘Forestry Tasmania’s 85-year management of forests and log supplies to regional industry are evidence of sustainable forestry’.

I was merely pointing out that my observations and information is that this was not so. I also went on to make three points:

1. Unhealthy: Plantations create unacceptable health issues. Research by the Queensland Cancer Fund and University of Sydney recently identified forestry as Australia’s highest workplace cancer risk. One could reasonably expect people living near plantations to also be at similar risk.

2. Unprofitable: The people of Tasmania expect that with all the land under the control of Forestry Tasmania, and its near monopoly of old growth forests, it should consistently be very profitable, and show a good return on investment, but that’s not happening.

3. Unsustainable: There are areas which have not regenerated after being near clearfell harvested, and that’s obviously unsustainable. My letter also contained the National Forest Policy Statement defining Sustainable Forest Management, which gives us a standard to aim for.

To me the ‘Two Visions’ video, which was the focus of Mr. Rolley’s letter, also clearly shows forestry practices conducted under Mr. Rolley’s management which are unsustainable, especially when we use the above mentioned definition.

It’s really up to Mr. Rolley to prove that his claim that plantation forestry is sustainable, as it was he who made the claim about sustainability.

When he does that, I along with members of the Western Rivers Preservation Trust, look forward to meeting Mr. Rolley at Chudleigh for a two day inspection of some of the areas which Forestry Tasmania has been unable to regenerate. We will also be taking video record of the inspections and proceedings, which we will feel free to use as we wish.

Mr Rolley should know that if I had any doubts about my information I would not have written it. However I have rechecked my information with forestry workers and contractors and am assured that what I have written is correct.

There are probably other areas around the state, as yet unknown to me, where efforts to re-establish have failed, which readers may like to inform me of.

Yours faithfully,

Bob Loone
President
Western Rivers Preservation Trust
28/July/2006

PS: Get a copy of the TWO VISIONS DVD here: www.twovisions.net

Earlier:
The Lennon-Rolley legacy
Bob Loone’s truth
Bob’s fight