Evan Rolley
Managing Director
Forestry Tasmania,
21-09-05

Dear Mr Rolley,

Thank you for your letter dated 7th September.

Firstly, I would like to assure you that the article I enclosed in my previous letter, written by Nicki Perriman in the Classic Boat magazine, has absolutely nothing to do with our group, TWFF. Our members had no idea that it was going to be written and we are entirely separate from it. I enclosed it only as a means of drawing it to your attention to further illustrate international condemnation of current management practices in State owned old growth forests.

The reason for the existence of our group is to achieve ecologically sustainable management of our State owned timber production native forests. When you can demonstrate to us that appropriate management plans are in place and being implemented to ensure that timber production is causing no loss of quality or species mix and is conducted at a rate that can be maintained forever we will cease our lobbying.

For many years I have been involved with Forestry Tasmania developing alternate harvesting methods and I believe that widespread implementation of publicly acceptable methods will dissipate much of the forestry debate. I would like to continue with this useful cooperation.

In your letter you said you are working on your statuary obligations to supply HARDWOOD veneer and sawlog. May I remind you that the RFA obliges you to manage a sustainable supply of all species of timber (including highest quality eucalypt i.e. old growth.).

You state that we, as a group, have made many incorrect statements. We go to great lengths to be accurate and our reports are always fully referenced. Please be so kind as to point out any incorrect statements we as a group have made and we will undertake to correct them.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Johnston
President
Timber Workers For Forests Inc
Cc: The Premier, The Hon Paul Lennon MHA
The Leader of the Oppositions, The Hon Rene Hidding, MHA
The Hon Peg Putt, MHA
The Editors—Mercury, Examiner, Advocate –not for publication.
Tasmanian Times
Steve Whiteley

Footnote: Tasmanian Times received a copy of the letter to Ian Johnston, marked, Not For Publication.