Forests Updates

Controversial Logs Deal Adds to Pulp Mill Uncertainty - December 03, 2008

On 1 December 2008, Gunns announced that it had been given a two-year extension on its wood-supply deal for the pulp mill. In extending the terms of the agreement, Forestry Tasmania simultaneously stepped over Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett’s line in the sand, threatened vast tracts of publicly-owned native forest in Tasmania, and thickened the cloud of uncertainty currently hanging over the unpopular project.

Pulp Mill proposal lurches off the rails as thousands form a 'Line in the sand' - November 27, 2008

As Gunns' proposed pulp mill slips further off the rails, attention is shifting from the Tasmanian Government to Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett who has yet to approve central parts of Gunns' environmental plan for the controversial mill.

Mines in Tasmania’s South-West Wilderness? - November 18, 2008

West and south of Tasmania’s wild Franklin River is a large tract of rainforest, moorland and a spectacular coastline. Unfortunately, the region also contains small bodies of iron, tin and other minerals that form part of the Mt Read Volcanics.

Stock Routes Campaign strikes a chord - November 05, 2008

Some Australian icons bring together people from all walks of life! With the fate of Australia’s unique Travelling Stock Routes (TSR) Network in the balance, an alliance of drovers, graziers and conservation groups, including The Wilderness Society, has been formed to champion its long-term protection.

About the Poznan Climate Change Conference - November 16, 2008

In December in Poland, world leaders will take their first major steps since the climate forum in Bali last year on the most important journey ever faced by humanity. The Wilderness Society delegation will be urging world leaders, and especially Australian PM Kevin Rudd to take strong action to reduce logging and land clearing as part of the global plan to tackle climate change.

The Great Western Woodlands - The largest intact temperate woodland and shrubland remaining on Earth. - November 14, 2008

Located east of the Rabbit-Proof Fence in southwest Australia, and spaning 16 million ha, the Great Western Woodlands is largest and most intact landscape of its kind remaining on Earth. The region is extraordinarily biodiverse, containing more than 30% of Australia’s Eucalypt species and 20% of Australia’s total plant species.

Peter Cundall addresses ‘Keep WA GM free’ Rally in Perth - November 12, 2008

On October 30, 2008 - hundreds of people turned out in a Perth rally to Parliament House – to send the message to the new Liberal Government that farmers, consumers and environmentalists do not want genetically modified crops being grown in WA.

Brown Mountain –irreplaceable old-growth forest being logged - November 10, 2008

A few weeks ago in late October, VicForests sent logging contractors into significant stands of old-growth forest on Brown Mountain in far East Gippsland. The Brumby Government has broken its election promise. Not only have iconic areas like Survey Road been heavily logged in the two years since this election commitment was made, Brown Mountain is now also falling to the chainsaws and bulldozers.

A 'new deal' for Cape York Peninsula - November 10, 2008

The Wilderness Society has launched the Cape York Heritage Protection Plan as a blue print for coordinated, strategic and funded action for Cape York’s future.

NSW Government action needed on Red Gums - November 05, 2008

Thousands of people across NSW and the rest of Australia have written to the NSW government over the past month, demanding it take action to protect the River Red Gum Forests of the Murray region. Now, two new reports show that the logging is both uneconomic and in some areas, illegal.