Statement – Tom Allen, The Wilderness Society, 21 April 2021
Yes, plantation-based forestry is Tasmania’s future
In an interview about forestry on Tuesday morning on ABC Hobart Breakfast with Ryk Goddard, Nick Steel, CEO of the Tasmanian Forest Products Association, made clear that plantation forestry on private land, not native forest logging on public state forest land, is where future opportunities lie.
Ryk Goddard: “Where is the most strategic investment do you think in getting the best output for jobs and economic productivity?”
Nick Steel: “As I said, in the public land, it’s er pretty much er all been well planted so to speak. It’s probably better in terms of er a private benefit there. I think there’s a lot more opportunities there that we can look at and grow especially around our plantation sector for hardwood and softwood.”
Tom Allen, campaign manager for the Wilderness Society Tasmania responded to the interview:
“Responsible organisations recognise that to be a legitimate enterprise you need to tick all three of the economic, social and environmental boxes – the ‘triple bottom’ line. Native forest logging can’t tick these boxes but plantation-based forestry could and should (and, to some extent, already is) – and this is where Tasmania’s future forestry prosperity lies.
“The Wilderness Society Tasmania welcomes Mr Steel’s comments and is keen to engage with him to continue this future-facing dialogue,” said Mr Allen.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 21 April 2021
Urgent Appeal from Native Forests to Tasmanian Voters
Bob Brown Foundation has today halted logging in an ancient forest in Tasmania’s Wentworth Hills. A Treesitter is in the forest canopy and another forest defender is attached to a logging machine, preventing it from doing ongoing damage in this fragile ecosystem.
“Critically endangered Swift Parrots were observed in these forests in recent days. Foraging in the forests while the bulldozers were removing their habitat trees,” Jenny Weber said from the forests.
“This is an urgent appeal from the forests to Tasmanians to stand for native forests protection with your vote,” Jenny Weber said.
“Tasmanians have a choice, if they want to vote for ongoing flattening and incinerating of wildlife filled native forests or if they want to vote for protecting these magnificent places. Alarmingly, 98% of the forests being logged here is going to woodchips” Jenny Weber said.
“This logging will remove an important forest ecosystem for endangered species such as the three wedge tailed eagle nests that are in these forests,” Jenny Weber said.
“Woodchipping old growth forests in Wentworth Hills is an excellent example of entrenched green washing in Tasmania that native forests are logged for building houses. They are not, these forests are being exported as pulp and whole logs to China and Sarawak,” Erik Hayward said
“These tall eucalyptus Delegatensis forests are mapped 37% old growth in the loggers own assessments. 95% of the area is high density mature habitat with hollow bearing trees that are critical to wildlife survival,” Erik Hayward said.
“We will not stop standing against this complete decimation of our state. The Liberal Gutwein government needs to be removed from their lack of leadership and continued destruction of our native forests. The climate depends on strong leaders,” Erik Hayward said
TASMANIAN TIMES: Greens Forests Transformation Policy.
