Statement – Blue Derby Wild, 9 November 2021
Tasmanian and Global Outdoor Adventure and Tourism Businesses Call to End Native Forest Logging
Today an open letter to the Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, The Hon S. Courtney (Minister for Tourism), and the Hon. R. Jaencsh (Minister for Climate Change) was tabled to Parliament calling for the protection of Tasmania’s native forests to safeguard our nature-based tourism sector and Brand Tasmania, as part of taking practical action on climate change and biodiversity loss.
More than 180 signatories including Patagonia, Paddy Pallin, Tas Gravity Enduro Mountain Bike competition, Spring Bay Mill, Derby Mountain Bike (MTB) businesses, and Derwent Valley Tasmania Tourism (representing over 100 businesses), have put their brands behind the need for urgent action to stop the logging of Tasmania’s native forests. With immediate focus on the logging planned in the two Krushka’s forests around the iconic Blue Derby MTB trail network, recognised as the jewel in the crown of Tasmania’s MTB industry, scheduled to start any time in November.
Blue Derby Wild coordinator Louise Morris said, ‘’We’ve been overwhelmed with support from businesses and outdoors adventurers who understand the importance of protecting Tasmania’s native forests for the critical role they play in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. We’re seeing with the COP 26 meeting taking place in Glasgow right now, that the world is demanding action on climate change. Tasmania can achieve true zero emissions by protecting our native forests which is an attainable and a practical part of that picture. Immediate action needs to involve protecting the Blue Tier glacial refugia forests and removing the three Blue Derby Gondwana native forests of Krushka’s (CC105A and CC119A) and Atlas (CC120B) from logging and burning plans.”
‘’There’s no doubt Tasmanian’s accessible wilderness areas and our nature-based attractions are our state’s biggest tourism drawcard (TRA 2014). As operators we’ve witnessed first-hand how extremely vulnerable the Tasmanian tourism industry is to the current challenges of the pandemic and the impacts of the intense 2016, 2019 bushfires that swept through Tasmania burning over 100,000 hectares of World Wilderness Heritage Area combined. Protecting our native forests will protect the Tasmanian brand, retain carbon, stop carbon emissions from logging and burning and protect biodiversity in the region. This will also be a practical step towards meeting our ambitious tourism target; to establish Tasmania as a global leader in responsible and sustainable tourism and to become a carbon-neutral destination. If we’re going to reach this goal, we need to take action today,’’ said Fiona Weaver, Tassie Bound Adventure Tours
“To think logging of native forests goes unnoticed by visitors to Tasmania and that this outdated practice doesn’t damage our growing brand is something the current government needs to have a good hard look at. Once a brand is damaged it can be hard to repair. Not to mention that preserving these forests will have huge benefits for endangered wildlife habitat, carbon storage and providing clean air and water that benefit us all. I believe Tasmania is nearing a time where we transition from destructive industries and become a leader in sustainability. Ending logging in high conservation forests is a no-brainer, I hope the Gutwein government has the foresight to show real leadership on this matter,” said Kenna Reid-Clark, Vice-president of the Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association.
The Tassie Tourism and events sector has been hit hard over the last two years. We have huge potential to value the pristine and wild Tassie brand to delight customers coming into the state. Protecting and celebrating our natural values alongside the tourism attractions is crucial to make sure we put our money where our mouth is. Customers and visitors will be savvy to the environmental impact of our industries and are expecting us to value protected environments and ecosystems. We call on the state government to work smartly to consider the huge blossoming potential these special places hold for the rebound of the tourism sector and the long-term sustainability of our clean green state,” said Joe Pickett, General Manager, Spring Bay Mill.
‘Protecting the carbon dense forests of the iconic Blue Derby MTB tourism destination area has the immediate impact of stopping the carbon emissions associated with logging and burning native forests, protecting local biodiversity and our forests will help safeguard the Blue Derby brand which is the jewel in the crown of Tasmania’s MTB industry.’’ Julia Seymour, Owner Pinned Property Management, Derby.
“The current destruction of Tasmania’s unique carbon rich forests needs to end. Tasmanian eBike Adventures stands proudly with other aligned tourism businesses, environmental campaigners and adventure brands to call on our government to intervene and halt the proposed logging of the Blue Tier forests, and globally iconic Krushka’s Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails. Even on this little island at the bottom of the earth we cannot ignore the urgent, environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change. The perception of Tasmania as a haven of wilderness and beauty is symbolised and embodied in our wild forests. It is time to work together as a community to protect what these forests represent in the fight against global climate change and biodiversity loss. If we genuinely have a vision for Tasmania as a world leading environmental tourism destination, we must protect our authenticity as a destination by caring for the special environmental and social values that underpin our brand,” Ben Rea, Owner Tasmanian eBike Adventures.
Copy of Letter Below:
The Hon Premier Peter Gutwein,
Hon Sarah Courtney MP, Hon Roger Jaench MP.
Level 9, 15 Murray Street
HOBART, TAS 7000
Dear Premier Gutwein; Hon S. Courtney MP and Hon R. Jaensch MP:
As nature-based tourism operators and outdoor adventurers passionate about growing Tasmania’s unique natural assets and native forests, we call on you to protect our High Conservation Value (HCV) native forests from logging.
The tourism industry vision for a response to climate change is ambitious and genuine in its goal for Tasmania to be a carbon-neutral destination. This is aligned with the Tasmanian Government Climate Action 21 agenda.
The vision for Tasmania is to be a carbon-neutral state, aligned with the Tasmanian Government Climate Action 21 agenda. There are measures we can introduce quickly to achieve this goal; immediate and practical action including removing the three Blue Derby Gondwana native forests of Krushka’s (CC105A and CC119A) and Atlas (CC120B) from logging and burning plans. Protecting the carbon dense forests of this iconic tourism destination area has the immediate impact of stopping the carbon emissions associated with logging and burning Gondwana native forests, protecting local biodiversity and will help safeguard the Blue Derby brand.
The tourism industry in Tasmania is built upon the clean, green, and clever brand. This brand is being undermined by ongoing logging of our native forests that hold flagship tourism experiences such as the Blue Tier, Blue Derby, Ben Lomond, The Styx Valley of the Giants, Maydena, the Weld/Tahune forests and the takayna/Tarkine.
Brand Tasmania promises an island at the bottom of the world where ancient forests and wild rivers await to reconnect people to their wild side, through nature based tourism experiences found nowhere else on earth. Logging these publicly owned native forests takes away the promise of wilderness experiences, replacing it with industrial logging operations.
The Tasmania Visitor Economy Strategy (T21) vision for Tasmania includes responsible stewardship of our natural environment and protected areas, positioning Tasmania as a global example of environmentally and socially sustainable tourism
We welcome the opportunity to speak with you on how we can build a win/win plan for the future that protects our native forests for climate action, biodiversity and building a truly sustainable and responsible future for tourism in Tasmania that values our forests and natural assets.
Architects Declare, Tasmania
Graham McLean, Basecamp Tasmania
Megan Lourie, Ben Lomond Alpine Hotel
Simon Holmes, Big Shed Studios
Adam Campbell, Big Mountain Derby
Black Cow Bistro
Tara and Steve Howell, Blue Derby Pods Ride
Louise Morris, Blue Derby Wild
Greg Irons, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Jo Lee, Cedar House Derby
Anthony O’Hern, Cradle Mountain Canyons
Christiaan Bradley, Christiaan Bradley Surfboards
Damien Neilson, Derby Bike Shop
Aleks and Justine, Derby Church
Peter , Derby Forest Cabins
Derwent Valley Tasmania
Tourism: A collective of over 100 local tourism operators
Jane Hilliard, Designful
Wade Anthony, Devils @ Cradle
Tom Wrigley, DHarCo MTB Clothing
Dialled in Derby
Jo Lee, Cedar House and Cottage
Dan Broun, Photographer & Filmmaker
Sophie and Kurt, Esplanade Trail House Derby
Alissa Ward, Find Your Feet
Hillary McAllister, Director, For Wild Places
Sean Cadman, Forest Walks Lodge
Y.D Bar-Ness, Giant Tree Expeditions
Giants Table Cottages Maydena
Liz Virtue, Glen Derwent Accommodation
Julie Porter and Charles Burns, Heritage Sailing Tasmania
Jane Hilliard, Homeful, by Designful
Rebecca & Tristan Campbell,Honey Tasmania
Dr Tonia Cochran, Inala Nature Tours
Josh Pringle, Keep Tassie Wild
Katarzyna Lagodzka, Kersbrook Cottage
Greg Murray, Kooparoona Niara Tours
Brown Family, Krushka’s Cottage Derby
Jimmy Cordwall, Making Tracks
Jo Morin, Maydena Mountain Cabins
Moonbird Beach Shack Tasmania
Outdoors People for Climate Action
Tim Pallin, Paddy Pallin Pty Ltd
Shannon Bourke, Patagonia
Patrol MTB
Pedalheads MTB St Helens
Julia Seymour, Pinned Property Management
Josh Fletcher, Protect Our Winters Au
Dr Nicole Anderson, Scenic Wilderness Photography
J. Brakey, G. Eckel, J. Walton, Raida Restaurant St Helens.
Roaring 40’s Kayaking
Toby Shingleton, River Cabins Derby
Matthew Newton, Rummin Productions
Cathy Fitzgerald, Secret Bank Society
#1800 Sendit
Joe Pickett, Spring Bay Mill
Bianca Welsh, Stillwater Restaurant
Richard Tebb, Stoke Wizard Media
Surfrider Foundation Tasmania
Danny King, Tas Gravity Enduro Series
Mark McCAnn, Tailored Trails
Nicholas Scharm, Tarkine Trails
Kenna Reid-Clarke, Tasmania Wilderness Guides Association
Fiona Weaver, Tassie Bound Tours
Ben Rea, Tasmanian E-Bike Adventures
Aran Price, Tasmanian Safaris
C Booth & G Cashion, Tin Dragon Trail Cottages
MarkPlayford, Trail View House Derby
Holger Strie, Trek Tours Australia
Andrew and Anne-Marie Wallis, The Keep
Carole Beaumont, The Peak Forest Retreat
Steve Pearce, The Tree Projects
Candace Elms-Smith, Tracks Less Travelled
Lincoln Quilliam, Trail Ventures
Susie Aulich, The Trig Unique Accomodation on Mt Arthur.
Sam Shillingford, We The Riders MTB Apparel
Ingrid Daniel, Whale Song Shack
Rob Blakers, Wild Island
Wild Island Women
James McCormack, Wild Magazine
Susanne Beatow, Wild Ocean Tasmania
Daniel Van Duinkerken, Wild Peek Au
Media release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Resources, 9 November 2021
Forestry and tourism can co-exist
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to delivering world-class tourism and forestry industries that can and do successfully co-exist in Tasmania.
It is a matter of fact that a number of our iconic tourism ventures are located on or adjacent to forestry land, and have been for a number of years.
Indeed, both the forestry and tourism industries have worked collaboratively together over a long period of time, fostering positive outcomes for both sectors.
This is part of a joint approach to work alongside one another for the mutual benefit and co-existence of both industries with many tourism establishments built from, and proudly displaying, magnificent sustainable Tasmanian timber.
Despite continued efforts by the Greens to divide the Tasmanian community and stir up unrest, we have every expectation that these partnerships will continue.
Each time wood is harvested from our native forests, it is regrown as native forest, ensuring a sustainable forest industry into the future whilst sequestering carbon.
Further, the commitment to maintain an extensive and permanent native forest estate has been a key commitment of Tasmania’s Regional Forest Agreement, with the most recent Australian State of the Forests report showing that Tasmania’s native forest cover has increased during the past two decades.
Tasmania’s forestry sector has been globally recognised as being one of the best managed and most environmentally and sustainable forest estates in the world.
In any given year, less than 1 per cent of native forest on Permanent Timber Production Zone land is harvested.
Unfortunately the Greens falsely claim science is on their side and yet they ignore the pre-eminent experts on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) who stated:
“Sustainable forest management can prevent deforestation, maintain and enhance carbon sinks and can contribute towards GHG emissions-reduction goals. Sustainable forest management generates socio-economic benefits, and provides fibre, timber and biomass to meet society’s growing needs”* Chapter 4, IPCC special report on Climate Change and Land, August 2019
The Tasmanian Government is all about drawing sectors together into a co-operative approach between forestry and tourism rather than trying to pick winners and destroying jobs, like the Greens, and dividing Tasmanians.
Hansard excerpt – Cassy O’Connor MP, 9 November 2021
Forestry – Native Forest Logging
Ms O’CONNOR question to PREMIER, Mr GUTWEIN
As you know, at COP26, world leaders including Prime Minister Scott Morrison signed the Glasgow Declaration to halt and reverse forest loss. We understand from statements made following the declaration that your Government does not believe it needs to change forest practices as a result, in contravention of the climate science. Will you listen to leaders in the Tasmanian tourism industry, more than 180 of whom have signed a letter to you and your colleagues, the Minister for Tourism and Minister for Climate Change, calling for an end to the logging of high conservation value forests?
Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table that letter now, copies of which have been distributed.
Leave granted.
Ms O’CONNOR – Thank you. Premier, like the Derwent Valley tourism operators and agricultural producers heavily-affected by smoke from an escaped Forestry Tasmania burn in March this year, these business owners regard industrial native forest logging as a threat to their tourism businesses, Tasmania’s brand and the climate.
If your Government will not end the logging of this island’s beautiful forests for the climate and young Tasmanians who are demanding it, will you listen to tourism operators, some of whom have joined us in the Chamber today, who are pleading with you to act?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Greens, Ms O’Connor, for that question. I welcome those tourism operators to the Chamber. It is an interesting question that you ask, because one of the examples of empirical evidence of where forestry and tourism can coexist is in my own electorate, in Derby.
Ms O’Connor – They’re about to log around Derby.
Mr SPEAKER – Ms O’Connor, Order.
Mr GUTWEIN – I was involved in many of those early discussions with the tourism industry, the local council, the STT. Although, back then I think I was in opposition, so it would have been Forestry Tasmania. What was able to be achieved, very successfully, in Derby was a coexistence, something that demonstrated that we could have tourism, but we could also have sustainable forestry. What I have witnessed – and I am certain we will witness again post 15 December – is that people are voting with their feet. Derby is an extraordinary example of coexistence between the industry, tourism and the forestry industry.
Greens members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER – Dr Woodruff, you are on a warning.
Mr GUTWEIN – I have watched with amazement as people have beaten a path to Derby’s door, where there has been a coexistence of sustainable forestry and tourism. We have watched that mining town – which was once decimated in population and economic opportunity – spring to life as hundreds of thousands of people from around this country and around the world –
Greens members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER – Ms O’Connor, why is it impossible for you to ask a question and listen to the answer without interjecting? You are on a warning.
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of clarification, Mr Speaker.
Mr SPEAKER – There is no such thing as a point of clarification.
Dr WOODRUFF – Can I clarify that the Leader of the Opposition interjected eight times on a question earlier this morning. I am wondering whether there is consistency in this issue.
Mr SPEAKER – That is not a point of order. Please sit down.
Mr GUTWEIN – Acknowledging that we have tourism operators in the Chamber, I have witnessed the fact that coexistence can occur.
You reached into COP26 and the Glasgow Declaration, yet you are well aware that the land-use clearing regimen in this state changed more than a decade ago. We do not cut forests down and not regrow them. We engage in sustainable forestry in Tasmania, sustainable harvesting. All of us bring to this place our own lived experiences. One of those lived experiences that I have had has been to watch what I would consider to be an economic miracle occur at Derby where we have witnessed the coexistence of tourism with sustainable forestry management. As I have indicated, the world and the broader country have voted with their feet in that example.
It did not surprise me that you reached into COP26, but you know full-well that what was signed at COP26 is something that this state put in place over a decade ago –
Ms O’CONNOR – Point of order, Mr Speaker, the Premier has misled the House. The COP26 agreement is about reversing forest loss.
Mr SPEAKER – That is not a point of order. The Premier has the call.
Mr GUTWEIN – Mr Speaker, regarding forest loss, it is well understood that in this state we plant more trees than we take. So, regarding the Leader of the Greens tabling her letter and the position she brings to this place, I believe very firmly that sustainable forestry and tourism can coexist, and that there are world-leading examples of where that occurs right here in this state. Those examples are well understood by the world and, by the country. As I have said, not only they have beaten a path to our door prior to 15 December, but I expect post 15 December they will continue to revel in what is one of the best examples in coexistence in two industries in the world.
