LIVING STATUES DRAW ATTENTION TO STATE WATER ISSUES

Where: Brisbane Street Mall, Launceston

When: Thursday March 11, 2 pm 5 pm

Who: Launceston Wilderness Action Group

LIVING STATUES DRAW ATTENTION TO STATE WATER ISSUES

Members of Launcestons Wilderness Action Group will today create an art-activist event in the Brisbane Street Mall to draw attention to the critical water issues currently facing all Tasmanians. The group of statues, painted green, represent different people within Tasmanian society.

We created this event to highlight the fact that all of us are affected by the water issues currently facing Tasmania. We have a housewife/mother, a farmer, a schoolgirl, a businessman, an artist, and a forestry worker, said group spokesperson Dr Lisa Searle.

We are very concerned about the widespread use of pesticides in aerial spraying of plantations, as well as about the extensive practice of large monoculture plantations in Tasmania and the possible impacts of this. There is now evidence to suggest that these practices have harmful effects on long-term human health and our environment, and we are encouraging further investigation into these issues, she said.

The group are helping to organize an open air Water Forum this Sunday in Civic Square at 1pm with speakers which include anti-corruption campaigner Peter Cundall and world freshwater crayfish authority Todd Walsh.

Today we are drawing peoples attention to urgent situations such as those happening in the St Helens and Lilydale catchment areas. We hope that people will be inspired to attend the upcoming forum this Sunday, commented Dr Searle.

WAG will be repeating the action in the Brisbane Street mall again on Saturday morning.

WAG is a not-for-profit community organisation committed to environmental advocacy and ensuring a protected and sustainable future for Tasmania.
WAG