Burnie forum to explore forest solution ideas

The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc
Media Release
11 March 2010

Our Common Ground will host a community forum in Burnie this Saturday to explore how Tasmania can resolve the long running conflict over forestry in Tasmania. The Wilderness Society is a founding member of Our Common Ground.

The community meeting will be chaired by local MLC and President of the Legislative Council Sue Smith, and will feature experts on resource, environmental, industry and tourism issues. Representatives from logging industry groups were invited to participate, but declined the opportunity.

“With global markets increasingly saying no to native-forest timber, Tasmania has its best chance in decades to deal with this crisis and resolve the conflict over forestry in Tasmania,” said Vica Bayley of the Wilderness Society.

“Without change, we’ll stay stuck on a lose-lose trajectory with forests being destroyed, jobs being lost and opportunities through tourism ignored.

“We need new thinking to find the common ground Tasmanians clearly want, to enable us to move forward as a community, leaving old-style policies and an antiquated approach to forestry behind."

When:          12 noon Saturday 13 March
Where:         Braddon Hall, Burnie Civic Centre
Chair:           Sue Smith, local MLC and Legislative Council President

Speakers:    

• Paul Noordanus—woodworker and craftsman   
• Russell Warman—timber industry liaison officer, Environment Tasmania
• Scott Jordan—Tarkine National Coalition
• Vica Bayley—the Wilderness Society

“World markets are changing and a new approach to the logging industry is needed.

“Tasmania should seize the opportunity provided by the downturn in markets for native-forest products to overhaul the entire industry. We can protect Tasmania’s ancient forests and assist workers make the transition to a more environmentally friendly and socially acceptable plantation sector,” said Mr Bayley.