Pic: of Eric Hutchinson from his website, http://www.erichutchinson.com.au/
On 30 April I posted an article about the depths politics can plummet towards when dealing with issues related to the protection of Heritage Values in Tasmania’s Forests.
http://oldtt.pixelkey.biz/index.php?/article/chicanery-and-political-deception-of-the-highest-order/
In writing that post I demonstrated I had difficulties understanding how important personal attributes such as trust, ethics, logic, and empathy could be subjugated in the pursuit of selfish political and possibly corrupt motives.
Well I am clearly an innocent in the dealings of Tasmanian politicians as the commentary below demonstrates.
On 28 May at 4.40pm I inadvertently listened to a speech made by Eric Hutchinson in the Lower House. The speech was related to the bill “Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2014”. His contribution bore no resemblance to the topic at hand but instead focussed entirely on the bizarre agenda of Senators’ Abetz and Colbeck as it relates to the rollback of UNESCO classification of WHA forest zones defined under the TFA.
The relevant comments of the Member are extracted below:-
What is proposed to be extended is a number of areas that have been working forests not for 50 years, not for 100 years, but for over 150 years in some instances. In certain cases—and I can name locations in the Liffey, which falls within my electorate of Lyons—the only heritage value is that of the remains of the industrial log-hauling equipment that are quite well preserved in these forests, surrounded by what were supposedly forests that have been destroyed. They are now, in an irony that is not lost on many, worthy of listing as part of the World Heritage estate.
The full commentary by the Member for Lyons is attached. I will not even attempt to comment on the cynicism of the comment below made in that broader diatribe in his reply speech, viz:-
The damage that has been done to my state as a result of this coincidence of misfortune is nothing less than palpable. I feel for the young people. We are doing everything we can. Many of the measures we have announced over the last six months are entirely directed at helping the young people and the regional and rural communities that make up the electorate of Lyons, which I am proud to represent. They are in desperate need and we are doing what we can to restart the engine in Tasmania.
The member is clearly exercised in his ability to demonstrate truth and honesty.
Clearly the reference to the “remains of the industrial log-hauling equipment” in the Liffey refers to the visit by his sycophant local member Mark Shelton and the subsequent tweets and non- contextual photos – see link.
He is focussed on the definition of WHA as being “wilderness”. Undoubtedly much of the proposed listing meets that category e.g. the Florentine. But he fails to understand (or perhaps does not wish to) that Word Heritage definition encompasses some 10 categories, viz:-
Cultural criteria
I. “represents a masterpiece of human creative genius”
II. “exhibits an important interchange of human values, over a span of time, or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning, or landscape design”
III. “to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared”
IV. “is an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural, or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history”
V. “is an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture, or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change”
VI. “is directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance”
Natural criteriia
VII. “contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance”
VIII. “is an outstanding example representing major stages of Earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features”
IX. “is an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities of plants and animals”
X. “contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation”
Given the inherent characteristics content of Coupe BA 388D – the area that the Member directly referenced in his speech, I would suggest that it meets at least three of these characteristics (only ONE need to be present for WHA accreditation!)
These characteristics would be, I maintain, as being (III), (V) and (X).
I demonstrate these characteristics simply in photograph. I have many more!!!!
What does the Member not understand about these values? Oh he does not wish to because it fails to comply with the political objectives of his masters!
I feel sorry for him for every time he looks in the mirror.
JLP 1/06/2014
• Greens: Tourism council should back World Heritage
• TT media HERE, for a range of opinions, including Richard Colbeck’s mockery …
MEANWHILE, here’s a different future …
• ABC: Work begins on converting Triabunna mill into tourism venture
