JOHN GAY, Executive Chairman, Gunns Ltd
Dear Mr Langfield,
Re:- Illegal Activities on a Tasmanian State Forest Conservation Reserve adjacent to “Armitstead”.
I refer to your emails dated 7 and 8 July 2009 and posted on the Tasmanian Times dated 6 July 2009: ( Dear Mr John Gay ). The Tasmanian State Conservation Reserve you refer to is located adjacent to Gunns Limited “Armitstead” property. The State Conservation Reserve was actually purchased by the State Government from the original landowners many years ago. Gunns Ltd is not the manager of the State Conservation Reserve that runs down to the Mersey River and that adjoins our freehold property. The areas reserved under the Comprehensive and Adequate Reserve (CAR) System were formally reserved to ensure these particular forest types were adequately reserved. Many of the areas were then subsequently fenced off to clearly delineate the property boundaries and to ensure stock do not enter into these areas. This occurred prior to Gunns purchasing the adjoining neighbouring property “Armitstead”.
As a concerned neighbour, I encourage you to contact the Department of Tourism Parks and Heritage responsible for the management of the reserve or alternatively contact the Forest Practices Authority in Hobart, if you believe there are illegal commercial activities.
It should be stated that Gunns has local community members living on the “Armitstead” property and they have actively reported illegal activities in recent years in the area. In fact, you already make reference to some of these attempts to curb illegal activities. It is unfair of you to publish in the public domain and distribute incorrect information and comments that infer Gunns is turning a blind eye to illegal activity on its freehold land, and I would appreciate you correcting statements you have made to this effect in the public arena.
We take our land management and environmental responsibilities seriously and would prefer a meaningful dialogue with stakeholders when matters such as this are raised.
I support your endeavour to ensure these Reserves are maintained for the future. I wish you well in your endeavours to protect the CAR reserve to prevent further incidents occurring.
Regards
John Gay
Executive Chairman
Logging on a Conservation Reserve for commercially sold firewood
Dear Mr. John Gay,
In addition to the firewood business/es illegally operating in the registered Tasmanian State Conservation Reserve on the property owned by Gunns Ltd. known as Armitstead which borders the Mersey River in Kimberley, now there are people shooting in there.
Is it legal to shoot wildlife in a Conservation Reserve?
It’s just typical of the neanderthal mentality in Tasmania – if it moves then shoot it, if it doesn’t then cut it down.
As your website states that your company is “A Leader in Sustainable Forest & Environmental Management,” I am asking you to do something about addressing the criminal abuses in the Conservation Reserve on your property.
If you aren’t going to fence it, at least put up signs at all the entry points around it clearly stating its Conservation Reserve status and that, as such, the taking of plants and killing of wildlife there is illegal.
Thankyou,
Russell Langfield.
