Pic: Alan Lesheim
Pic: Alan Lesheim
Pic: Alan Lesheim
Former Greens Leader Bob Brown visited Miranda Gibson in her Observer Tree yesterday to hear the record-setting tree-sitter pledge to stay on as IGA negotiations continue. Bob Brown also reported that the pro-loggers had upped sticks after a week camping at the base of the tree (My encounter with Michael Hirst) (Greens call for clear heads at Observer Tree … at Make-or-Break time).
BOB BROWN VISITS MIRANDA GIBSON AT 60 METRES UP THREATENED TREE – FORMER SENATOR REPORTS THAT PRO-LOGGING CAMP HAS DEPARTED
Former Senator Bob Brown today climbed 60 metres up a rope to visit record-breaking tree-sitter Miranda Gibson on her platform in a threatened giant tree in the remote Tyenna valley.
While walking to the base of the tree, Dr Brown passed a group of pro-loggers on their way out. After four days there is no longer a pro-loggers’ camp at the base of Miranda’s tree.
‘It must have been a bit much for them,’ said former Senator Brown.
Former Senator Brown enjoyed a cup of tea and some cake with Miranda, while letting her know that millions of Australians admire her courage and devotion to Australia’s natural heritage.
• What Miranda says…
Tree sitter renews commitment after visit from Bob Brown.
On the day that that IGA process was due to deliver an outcome for Tasmania’s forests, long time environmentalist and former federal senator, Dr. Bob Brown, visited Miranda Gibson’s tree-sit in the threatened Tyenna Valley. Dr. Brown made the 60 meter ascent to the reach the platform on which Ms Gibson has been living for the past seven months. The pair discussed the forests and the future of Tasmania, over a cup of teatop tea.
“Today I am making a renewed commitment to my stay in the Observer Tree. There was some hope that yesterday a deal would be reached between industry and environment groups that would bring an end to the logging of high conservation value forests. However, there has been no such agreement so far. This means that world heritage value forests are still under threat and subject to logging right now. I will therefore continue my treetop vigil to speak up for these forests and the species that call them home” said Ms Gibson.
“The visit from former senator Bob Brown has strengthened my resolve and commitment. He brought with him a message of support not only from himself, but from people all around Australia who want to see these forests protected. It was an inspirational visit and it has given me the courage to continue my efforts in the face of uncertainty about the progress of the forest talks” said Ms Gibson.
“Meeting with Bob Brown reminded me of how many people have spent their lives tirelessly working towards the protection of these forest. Over the past decades Tasmania has lost significant tracts of forest and now it is time to ensure that our remaining high conservation value forests are protected” said Ms Gibson.
“Today I want to renew the vow I made seven months ago when I first climbed this tree. I want the world to know that I am not going anywhere until this forest is safely protected from logging” said Ms Gibson.
• Matthew Denholm, The Australian: Modelling to test compromise deal that could end 35-year Tasmanian forests war
• BY:MATTHEW DENHOLM, TASMANIA CORRESPONDENT
• From:The Australian
• July 24, 2012 12:00AM
THE fate of a landmark deal to end 35 years of conflict over forestry in Tasmania rests with experts who will run detailed modelling to see if a proposed compromise is feasible.
Timber and green groups late yesterday revealed they had agreed to test a single “scenario” for new forest reserves to see if it would leave enough timber to support industry needs.
Neither side would reveal the size of the proposed new forest reserves, but speculation within industry and conservation circles points to 450,000-500,000 hectares.
Timber industry negotiator Terry Edwards would not comment on whether the sector was willing to reduce the annual sawlog harvest to below the 155,000 cubic metres agreed under an interim deal last year.
Previous modelling suggests the industry would need to accept a further cut to 135,000cu m – less than half historic levels – to have any hope of delivering close to the full 568,722ha of new reserves initially sought by greens.
However, Mr Edwards said any expansion of a $15m sawlog quota buyout scheme was unlikely to be “extensive”, with an expected request for increased funding likely to focus on assisting the shift to plantations.
The Wilderness Society and Mr Edward’s Forest Industries Association of Tasmania were both “optimistic” the final scenario could lead to agreement if backed by detailed modelling over the next week.
“We are clearly testing a scenario that we think could underpin a lasting solution to this debate,” said society campaign director Vica Bayley.
