Friends of the Great Western Tiers welcome the World Heritage listing yesterday of a large area of the Great Western Tiers State Forest and existing reserves

“This is a long overdue recognition of the outstanding values of one of Tasmania’s most iconic landscape features” said president Rosemary Norwood.

“Many of us have spent over thirty years working for recognition of the outstanding natural heritage values of this special area. On behalf of the Friends of the Great Western Tiers I would like to thank everyone who has made this listing possible, including those in the timber industry who voluntarily let this area go from timber production and into conservation as part of the forest peace process.

A further thanks go to both the State and Commonwealth Governments for following through on their commitments and ensuring that this world treasure has been added to the World Heritage list.

It is however particularly disappointing to see politicians, notably MLC Greg Hall, and the TFGA, misrepresenting what this means for those of us who will be neighbours to the extended World Heritage Area. No private land, other than a few blocks voluntarily owned and added by the Bush Heritage Trust and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy will be captured, and claims that access will be denied to these forests and adjacent property owners will be adversely affected have no basis in fact.

We look forward to working together with everyone who is now neighbouring the World Heritage Area to ensure that the recreational and cultural assets of the area are protected, and we hope in some cases upgraded to allow for the continued sustainable use of the mountains for recreation and tourism.

We understand that a significant amount of money has been set aside to allow for the development and upgrading of the existing World Heritage Management Plan. We look forward to working with the Parks Service and the communities along the Great Western Tiers to identify the assets, existing infrastructure and management needs of the area and the people who live along side and love the Great Western Tiers”
Rosemary Norwood, President, Friends of the Great Western Tiers