Dr Sara Cameron
Their companions were amazed at the beauty on display and the level of sophistication of the walking track. “I found it hard to believe that we were not in a managed National Park” said Dr Nick Russell, of Perth. Sam was overcome by being at the Tarkine Falls with Sara and he proposed to her under its mist. They intend to marry at the Tarkine Wilderness Lodge in January 2010. “Many of our guests from the mainland are excited about the prospect of doing the same walk we did,” said Dr Maloney. However, the proposed road takes the same route and would obliterate the walk. “The thought of the bulldozers aches our hearts. We dreamed that this area would be protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Dr Cameron.
MEDIA RELEASE
5/2/2009
Tarkine couple plead with Bartlett over road.
Recently-engaged couple Dr Sara Cameron and Dr Sam Maloney have pleaded Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett not to go ahead with a controversial road into the Tarkine wilderness.
Sara Cameron is a GP registrar who went to the North West Rural Clinical School in Burnie (03, 04) where she spent summer breaks exploring the Tarkine, and fell in love with its ancient beauty and tranquillity. On one walking trip, she was amongst those who discovered and named the Tarkine Falls.
Sara met Sam Maloney during on a medical student placement in 2004 in Alice Springs. After a few years away, in 2008, they came back to Tasmania and went with a few of their friends on a walking trip into the Tarkine.
Their companions were amazed at the beauty on display and the level of sophistication of the walking track. “I found it hard to believe that we were not in a managed National Park” said Dr Nick Russell, of Perth.
Sam was overcome by being at the Tarkine Falls with Sara and he proposed to her under its mist. They intend to marry at the Tarkine Wilderness Lodge in January 2010. “Many of our guests from the mainland are excited about the prospect of doing the same walk we did,” said Dr Maloney.
However, the proposed road takes the same route and would obliterate the walk. “The thought of the bulldozers aches our hearts. We dreamed that this area would be protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Dr Cameron.
They have desperately written to David Bartlett imploring him not to build a road over their beloved walking track. “Surely the money would be much better spent turning this treasure into the national icon it deserves to be,” states their letter.
…
MEDIA RELEASE – Wednesday 4th February January 2009
Tarkine Road, Upper Florentine logging – Bartlett cultivating conflict at a cost to community, environment and coffers
The Wilderness Society today condemned Premier Bartlett’s approval of funding for the construction of the controversial Tarkine road despite the road being overwhelmingly opposed by the community and local business owners, having no tourism industry support and in clear contradiction to an agreed regional tourism strategy.
“The Tarkine road undermines years of collaborative and cooperative work by local councils, conservation groups and local businesses to agree to a tourism strategy for the Tarkine,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.
“This road appears a divisive re-election tool that has no tourism credibility and no support from official tourism bodies who endorse the legitimate community tourism strategy.
“Why has Premier Bartlett failed to hear community and business concerns, ignored years of official research and once again pandered to Forestry Tasmania’s expensive whim?
The announcement comes on top of Forestry Tasmania’s provocative road building and logging in the Upper Florentine and will do nothing to settle community angst over taxpayer funded environmental destruction.
“Both these roads, in the Florentine and now the Tarkine are to be paid for with taxpayer’s money.
“$23 million investments are welcome and tourism is a legitimate industry to fund but Premier Bartlett is investing this cash is another flashpoint for community conflict,” concluded Mr Bayley.
The Wilderness Society has formally requested Premier Bartlett’s engagement in a series of community forums aimed at resolving community conflict in forest areas. He has yet to reply despite the first forum being in Westerway tomorrow night. Forestry Tasmania has refused to participate.
