A visit to Gunns

Tom Millen
Friends of the Blue Tier will visit Gunns Mitre 10 Cimitere Street store today to ask Gunns …

MEDIA RELEASE – WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER

Friends of the Blue Tier will visit Gunns Mitre 10 Cimitere Street store today to ask Gunns to agree to refuse to log threatened high conservation value forests in the Blue Tier region.
“As community members and consumers we are hoping Gunns will show good will towards the people of the north east by refusing to log any forests within the areas as outlined by the FOTBT” Said spokesperson Tom Millen.

With the imminent clearfell logging adjacent to the historic Lottah Picnic Ground (Coupe GC145A), members of the local community voiced their concerns during a bushwalk on the weekend.
“This forest is known glacial refugia, a rare place where the forests survived the last ice age. It is habitat for the threatened Northeast Forest Snail, Simpson’s Stag Beetle and Wedge Tailed Eagle and sightings in the area are common.” said spokesperson Lesley Nicklason.
“The clearfelling of this forest would lead to the loss of crucial habitat, topsoil loss, water catchment degradation, loss of carbon sinks and an increase in heavy traffic on our small country roads” said Ms Nicklason. “GC145A is on the tourist route to the popular walking area on the Blue Tier and will be a real eye-sore for visitors”

“We are asking Gunns to listen to the community and help us reserve this special place for future generations to enjoy. The Blue Tier and Mt Victoria forests deserve secure reservation, even the RFA final recommendations report stated that in the longer term, a National Park classification is a more appropriate tenure. Gunns has the power to help protect these forests, the community is here today asking Gunns to help us.” Said Mr Millen.

At 10AM today, the FOTBT will present Gunns with a gift from the Blue Tier, photo opportunities will be available.

This week the FOTBT are celebrating the Blue Tier Big Week, a community celebration of the values of the spectacular forests of northeast Tasmania.

Tomorrow (Thursday) at 10AM the FOTBT will launch the NE Highlands National Park Proposal at Princes Square in Launceston. Copies of the National Park Proposal will be delivered to all state and federal politicians after the launch.