Helen Gee
Horrendously for our threatened wildlife, it was established that once a 20-year regional forestry agreement (RFA) was signed by state and federal governments, the impact of logging could continue if both signatories agreed to allow it. What is on trial now is the effectiveness of the EPBC Act. Does our Federal Government intend to stand by and accept there is nothing the responsible Minister can do to prevent the impact of logging in Tasmania because the EPBC Act “does not apply”? It is to be hoped our new Premier David Bartlett will reinstate clause 68 – the “protection” clause – of the RFA and fully protect threatened species in this state.
LOGGING is set to resume any day now on Wielangta Hill (WT 19D) in what experts say is some of the best swift parrot habitat. This has to be stopped if we as a state (and, in the wider context, as a nation) are serious about our threatened wildlife.
There has been no logging in the Wielangta State Forest for three years due to Federal Court proceedings, and the Judgement (December 2006) in favour of Senator Bob Brown (and our threatened species).
However Forestry Tasmania’s appeal to the full bench of the Federal Court was upheld last November and Senator Brown lost his application to the High Court last month to appeal this decision.
Horrendously for our threatened wildlife, it was established that once a 20-year regional forestry agreement (RFA) was signed by state and federal governments, the impact of logging could continue if both signatories agreed to allow it.
Under federal law (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 EPBC), Environment Minister Peter Garrett has the power to intervene to prevent logging of old growth and rainforest and the habitat of rare and threatened species. So far he has failed to do so.
What is on trial now is the effectiveness of the EPBC Act.
Does our Federal Government intend to stand by and accept there is nothing the responsible Minister can do to prevent the impact of logging in Tasmania because the EPBC Act “does not apply”?
The Tasmanian RFA is a shambles, lacking all credibility when, to protect threatened species, the bar has been lifted for every other activity. The exception made for the forestry industry is nothing short of scandalous. It is to be hoped our new Premier David Bartlett will reinstate clause 68 – the “protection” clause – of the RFA and fully protect threatened species in this state.
Helen Gee
South East (Tas) Forest Protection Group Koonya
