Cassy O’Connor MR Greens Environment, Parks and Tourism spokesperson Wednesday, 18 March 2009
THE Tasmanian Greens today welcomed Federal Braddon MHR, Sid Sidebottom’s stated lack of enthusiasm for the Bartlett Government’s divisive, destructive Tarkine loop road agenda as further evidence of State Labor’s isolation on the issue.
Greens Environment, Parks and Tourism spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said Mr Sidebottom is right to acknowledge that the $23M loop road has divided the community in his electorate.
“Creating division was clearly the Bartlett Government’s goal here. It thought it could create a wedge issue in Braddon by pushing hard for the Forestry Tasmania loop road, despite the fact that it has so little stakeholder and community support outside Smithton,” Ms O’Connor said.
“In choosing not to support Bartlett Labor’s loop road, Mr Sidebottom has joined the Cradle Coast Authority, Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council, Waratah-Wynyard Council, West Coast Council, the Tarkine Business Coaltion, the Tarkine National Coalition, the Greens and the State Liberals.”
“Mr Sidebottom has been listening. Bartlett Labor has not. Mr Sidebottom clearly believes there are smarter, more equitable ways to invest $23M in promoting sustainable jobs and growth in Braddon. Bartlett Labor clearly refuses to recognise these positive alternatives.”
“The Greens hope Mr Sidebottom will harden in his resolve against the loop road, and make representations to the Federal Environment Minister about the potential impacts on the last disease-free stronghold of the endangered Tasmanian Devil, and the largest tract of unbroken, temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere.”
“Meanwhile, the Premier was up in Smithon today launching a book that purportedly “debunks the myth that the Tarkine is untouched rainforest, remote from human activity.” The Greens are well aware that the Tarkine region has a rich, 200+ year history of white people’s incursion and settlement. Prior to this period however, there are many thousands of years of Aboriginal history that live deep and undeniable in the land, which is why the Tarkine is regarded as one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites.”
“There are also still large parts of the Tarkine that remain untouched and pristine. The area is an ecological and geological masterpiece of creation, it should be protected in a Tarkine National Park,” Ms O’Connor said.
