Gemma Tillack Wilderness Society MR
The Wilderness Society has estimated that at least 95% of logs from these forests with special values in northeast Tasmania will go directly to export-woodchipping.
MEDIA RELEASE – Monday 20th October 2008
FORESTRY TASMANIA LOGS HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE FORESTS FOR WOODCHIPS
Forestry Tasmania has been given advice from conservation groups to withdraw their plans to log two areas of high conservation value forest in northeast Tasmania.
The Wilderness Society has estimated that at least 95% of logs from these forests with special values in northeast Tasmania will go directly to export-woodchipping.
“Previous Forest Practices Plans for logging coupes in oldgrowth Eucalyptus amygdalina forests in this area have had between 95%–98% of the logs going directly to woodchip mills,” said Gemma Tillack from The Wilderness Society.
The Wilderness Society and the North East Bioregional Network have submitted two special-values reports to Forestry Tasmania asking them to not log these areas of oldgrowth forest.
The reports show that logging coupes GL208A and GL208C contain oldgrowth dry eucalypt forest on granite soils, which makes it a priority vegetation type for conservation in the Flinders bioregion.
“This area of oldgrowth E. amygdalina coastal forest (DAC) is in very good condition and contains good habitat for several threatened species, including the Tasmanian devil and spotted-tail quoll,” said Todd Dudley from the North East Bioregional Network.
“This area of intact forest has not been fragmented with roads and has minimal signs of human disturbance. If this area is logged it will result in a loss of biodiversity and the area could be infected with Phytophthora root rot,” said Mr Dudley.
“These logging coupes are just two examples of Forestry Tasmania logging forests of high conservation value to supply woodchips to export markets,” said Ms Tillack.
“Forestry Tasmania should stop the logging of high conservation value forests in northeast Tasmania and create a network of new reserves to ensure the ongoing survival of Tasmania’s unique wildlife and high conservation value forests,” concluded Ms Tillack.
