• South of Embley project brings 900 shipping movements through the threatened reef; threatens $6 billion tourist industry and 63,000 jobs it supports.

• Approval highlights deficiency with Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act processes.

• Queensland approval still stuck in courts.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has today approved the single biggest land clearing project in Cape York’s history, in approving Rio Tinto’s South of Embley massive bauxite mine, the Wilderness Society said today. The approval also exposes the Great Barrier Reef to increased shipping threat.

The mine will wipe out 30,000 hectares of a landscape that a Federal Government-commissioned scientific report has only recently identified as being of World Heritage standard, land that can never be fully rehabilitated.

“Minister Burke has today given the green light to landscape destruction, land only just formally recognised for its World Heritage-standard values”, said Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager for the Wilderness Society.

“This mine will result in environmental vandalism on a grand scale.”

In relation to bauxite landscapes on Western Cape York, the recent Scientific Report refers to the “outstanding geological phenomenon forms the foundation for unique hydro-ecological processes that have enabled and supported a variety of unique biological expressions including tall woodland which is a unique, structurally and floristically distinctive, regional ecosystem.” (p. 29)

The Wilderness Society has also drawn attention to deficiencies in the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, where newly discovered species in the proposed mine area did not have to be considered in the approval processes because their discovery came after Rio Tinto’s original application. Species of crab, shrimp, and sea snake – all new to science – have been found in the area to be mined, and will now be threatened.

The new Rio Tinto mine will also result in 900 shipping movements through the reef, which UNESCO has already said is at great risk from new development and increased shipping. Rio was forced to resubmits its EIS to address reef impacts and come clean on the 900 shipping movements through the Great Barrier Reef.

“Just weeks after UNESCO renewed its call on the federal and Queensland governments not to place further pressure on this fragile and stressed ecosystem, Minister Burke has done just that”, said Dr Seelig.

“Approval of this mine places further risks to one existing World Heritage Area and allows the complete destruction of part of Cape York eligible to be included in a new World Heritage Area under consideration right now.”

“Mr Burke seems to taken the word of a company that just last year was exposed for having misled him in its original Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by saying that the project would not have any effect on the reef.

“This is just another example of recognised world heritage values being trashed for the sake of a mining boom already coming to the end, and for profits that will largely find their way offshore.”

However, the South of Embley project still doesn’t have final approval because the Queensland Land Court has yet to approve a new Environmental Authority. An action lodged by the Wilderness Society late last year objecting to the Queensland Government’s environmental approvals for the project has yet to be determined by the Court.

“Rio will not be able to start any major works on this project until it has received the OK from the Queensland Land Court, and investors need to realise the project faces fierce and ongoing opposition. The battle over this mine is far from over”, added Lyndon Schneiders, National Campaign Director of the Wilderness Society.

More information:

Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager: 0439 201 183

Mr Lyndon Schneiders, National Campaign Director: 0451 633 200

Join us this June long weekend for a guided camping trip to the pristine and untouched Helene Aurora ranges in the Great Western Woodlands

Background:

One of the wonderful features of the Great Western Woodlands are the amazing ‘Banded Ironstone Ranges’ - the Helena Aurora Ranges. These low, scattered ranges emerge from a mostly flat, wooded landscape and are ecologically and culturally highly significant. Because of their ancient isolation, most of these ranges are home to rare, locally endemic species of flora and fauna. Unfortunately these ranges are being systematically targeted by the mining industry for iron ore mining.

Several banded ironstone ranges in and around the Great Western Woodlands are already in the process of being destroyed by mining companies, like the beautiful Windarling Range, and many more are in the industry’s firing line.But the Helena Aurora ranges are too special to lose! The Wilderness Society has been working with local groups and traditional owners for nearly a decade to protect the Great Western Woodlands. So join us for this wonderful opportunity to see for yourself why this pristine and unique part of the World is worth protecting!

The Trip

The Wilderness Society and Helena and Aurora Range Advocates (HARA) are coordinating a camping and guided nature tour/trek to this special region over the June long weekend. The purpose of the trip is to raise awareness of this incredible part of our vast backyard and give people the opportunity learn more and connect to country in the Great Western Woodlands.

• When? June 1st-3rd
• Where? Helena Aurora Ranges, Great Western Woodlands.
• What? Camping & Guided Nature Tour/ Trek
• Cost? FREE! But you must organise own transport (4WD), camping gear, food & water.

*Note: We will meet at Southern Cross at 1pm and convoy together the rest of the way.

To register / more info:

If you would like to come along, meet some new people, explore this special part of the world and spend some time out in one of the last untouched Wilderness's on the planet - send an email to Sarah at sarah.vannsander@wilderness.org.au to register/ for more info.

You can click to download an info booklet here with all the information you will need. Sarah can also help you coordinate a lift or camping gear if you need it. You can also join our facebook event for the latest info and updates.

Having worked in Far North Queensland for a number of years and I have always been mesmerised by the Great Barrier Reef’s natural beauty. On my most recent visit, however, I witnessed the ugly side of Queensland.

Travelling with a number of campaigners, I went to see the massive developments occurring along sections of the coastline. My boat made its way from Great Keppel Island, home of the Snubfin Dolphin, through the Fitzroy Delta and towards Gladstone Harbour, where I was overwhelmed by the extent of industrialisation.

I was hosted by a campaign group on a local tourist boat and accompanied by marine scientists, journalists and a number of not-for-profits who all expressed their objections to the rate and scale of development. It was clear from our discussions that the environment is not the only thing at stake. The small tourism and fishing businesses that are so quintessentially Queensland have been forgotten as governments yield to the demands of multinational mining companies.

The decision to expand mining operations throughout Queensland is putting more pressure on an already stressed ecosystem. The reef is fighting a continuous battle for survival against climate change, Crown of Thorn starfish outbreaks and pollution. So what does industrialisation mean for the future of the Great Barrier Reef?

Mining barge, Great Barrier Reef, Qld (Photo | Ria Nield)

Expert opinion

Professor Callum Roberts, a world renowned marine biologist, warned that the rapid developments are likely to have long term impacts on the reef. Millions of tonnes of dredging spoil will be dumped in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Coral reefs and many other marine organisms are highly sensitive to environmental change and especially to increased sediment loads. The reef is at risk and it is time that governments start listening to the experts before it’s too late.

The reef adjacent to the Cape York Peninsula has been saved from much of the pollution that has occurred in the southern parts of Queensland. Cape York is one of the most pristine areas in the world, one that has been free from mass industrialisation and destruction and as a result the marine life in the region is thriving. Yet eight new coal, sand and bauxite mines have been proposed for the Cape and threaten to change this.

Rio Tinto alone plans to increase its movements through the Great Barrier Reef with nine-hundred more ships travelling between the Weipa Mine in Cape York to the Gladstone refinery. Ship groundings and oil spills will be increasingly likely. Supporters of the developments argue that strict regulations are in place to prevent such events from occurring. Yet, it only takes one accident. In 2010, the Chinese coal carrier, Shen Neng 1, grounded itself on the reef and left a three kilometre long scar and caused immense damage to coral and other marine life.

The World is watching

Much of the industrialisation along the Queensland coast could impact the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. As such, it has drawn attention from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) committee who are considering putting the Great Barrier Reef on the List of World Heritage in danger. The potential listing has raised awareness of the issue and drawn scrutiny from the international community. In time, it will put pressure on the Queensland and Australian governments to stop approving fast-tracked developments.

Cape York is currently without such protection as it is not yet a World Heritage listed site. The Wilderness Society has been working closely with Traditional Owners to push for mixed World Heritage nomination of the region, so that both its significant natural and cultural values are acknowledged and assessed against the UNESCO criteria.

There is a battle waging throughout Queensland. Its pristine environments, coastlines and marine life are at risk from fast-tracked and over-sized industrialisation. If Cape York successfully gains World Heritage status, more eyes will be watching to ensure that this great wilderness is treated with the respect it deserves.

Ria Nield is an intern at the Wilderness Society and holds a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Environment.

Take Action

• Get in touch with your local state member of parliament as soon as possible, voicing your opposition to these unacceptable threats to our reef. 
• Send your message directly to Premier Newman: thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au
  
• Join the Wilderness Society today to be at the forefront of marine protection! 

How a community triumphed over corporate greed.

The Power and the Passion is a photographic exhibition highlighting the power of the Kimberley's landscapes and the Passion of those who defend it.

The evening will be a celebration of community triumphing over corporate greed, and a chance for us to discuss how we can move forward together in our ongoing work to protect culture, community and our environment.

It’s also a chance for us to pat each other on the back and celebrate our success in defending James Price Point.

Where: 339 High St, Northcote, Victoria.
Opening night: 6pm-9pm, Friday 10 May 2013.
Exhibition dates: 10-3pm, Wed-Sun, until 1 June 2013.

All works will be available for sale.

Learn more

Get a sneak peek of the exhibition via this commemorative booklet.

Join the event, and share with your friends, via Facebook.

Wilderness Society (WA) State Coordinator, Peter Robertson, said while the organisation would continue its legal fight against a seriously defective EPA assessment process, the battle had effectively been won.“

After many years and millions of dollars, and in the face of growingcommunity opposition, Woodside has abandoned the proposed development at James Price Point. This is a major coup for the people of Broome, the Kimberley and the country,” Mr Robertson said.

“Because the development has crumbled, the Wilderness Society – along with Goolarabooloo Traditional Custodian, Richard Hunter – had proposed the judicial review case be adjourned.

“But the State Government has insisted that the case proceed at a full hearing on June 4 to 6.

“We’re dedicated to proceeding with the case, but regardless of the outcome, Woodside has pulled out of the project – so as far as we’re concerned, we’ve already succeeded in a key part of the campaign.”

Mr Robertson said considering Woodside had deserted the proposal, the State Government’s desire to continue with the case was puzzling.“

The State’s motives for continuing the case are questionable considering that Woodside has failed and a replacement proponent is very unlikely to be found,” he said.

“While Woodside opts for floating LNG, the Premier appears to be floating new reasons to proceed with James Price Point on a daily basis.”

Further comment: Peter Robertson – 0409 089 020; Glen Klatovsky -0410 482 243.

The Federal Government must refuse any further developments that threaten the Great Barrier Reefarea if it is serious about protecting the reef as well as the $6 billion tourism industry and 63,000jobs it supports.

“The latest UNESCO report on the reef says the reef is still at risk of being listed ‘in danger’, soFederal Environment Minister Tony Burke must knock back the South of Embley bauxite mineand Wongai coal mine if he is serious about protecting our greatest environmental asset,” saidWilderness Society Northern Australia Campaign Manager Gavan McFadzean.

“Rio Tinto’s South of Embley bauxite mine will require 900 shipping movements through the GreatBarrier Reef between the Weipa mine and the refinery at Gladstone, according to its recentlyreleased Environmental Impact Statement to the Federal Government.

“Balkanu Corporation’s Wongai coal mine would require building Australia’s biggest east coast portnorth of Cairns, and super tankers would have to navigate the small gaps in the most pristine part ofthe Great Barrier Reef.

“These proposed mines also threaten Cape York’s natural assets that scientists recently said wereworthy for an upcoming World Heritage nomination.

“Even Cape York’s bauxite landscapes and the magnificent forests they support likely meet WorldHeritage criteria, so Rio’s South of Embley project should be taken off the books for good.”

Further comment: Wilderness Society Northern Australia Campaign Manager, Gavan McFadzean (0414 754 023)

More information: Wilderness Society Media Adviser, Alex Tibbitts (0416 420 168)

This World Ocean's Day (June 8th) the Wilderness Society WA cordially invites you to Making Waves for the Kimberley with guest speaker Prof. Carmen Lawrence, Chair of the Australian Heritage Council.

The event is a high-end fundraiser, featuring a diverse collection of rare artworks and high-profile artists' works for silent auction. The proceeds of the event will raise money for our Court Case against the Environment Protection Authority, which will be heard in the Supreme Court in the same week.

With the support of the community and people like yourself, who have helped save James Price Point from a dirty & conflicted gas hub, we are continuing with our court case to seek answers on why a compromised EPA was allowed to recommend approval for this project. Ensuring that future projects will be held accountable for delivering flawed environmental and social impact assessments. The event will also be a celebration of the last five years of campaigning and community support that is responsible for our grand ‘win’.

We’d be honoured if you will join us during this momentous time for an evening of art, music, delectables, drinks and celebrations.

Making Waves for the Kimberley
Featuring Prof. Carmen Lawrence
6:00pm start.  
Saturday, 8th June 2013 (World Oceans Day)

Spacecubed, 45 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Formal attire.

First release tickets can be purchased HERE and are expected to sell out quickly. Canapés, drinks and live music included in ticket price. Join our facebook event for the latest updates.

Artist Call-Out

We have been fortunate to have a number of exceptional art pieces and memorabilia donated to us throughout our campaign over the last five years. However we are putting am extended call-out to other artists who may like to donate their works for this worthy cause. It is World Ocean Day so the theme is 'making waves for the Kimberley' and we are searching for unique creations or photos that reflect the beauty of our marine environment & in particular the magnificence of the Kimberley Coast. As an artist, if you feel a special connection to the Kimberley or this cause, we would be so grateful if you gifted us with your works and support for this charitable event. Please email warren.house007@gmail.com or call 0404 971 596 to further discuss your noble donation.

Just one and a half hours from Melbourne these forests are among the biggest carbon banks in the world. They form the catchments for Melbourne’s pristine drinking water. Photo: Vica Bayley

Find out about how logging in the Central Highlands rips up our carbon banks, and damages the quality of Melbourne’s water supplies.

Hear about what you can do to help protect these forests – for the long-term health of our environment and for future generations.

Share your story - we may be recording footage of the forests, and interviewing some willing participants.  

When:
Saturday 18 May, 8.30am-6pm

Where:
Meet at the Melbourne Campaign Centre, 
288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (Tram 112 from Collins Street), 
drive up to the Central Highlands

Cost:
Suggested donation of $30 per adult

Transport:
Transport by minibus provided

What to bring:
Snacks, drinking water, warm clothes, wet weather gear, walking shoes or boots, lunch, or money to buy lunch in Marysville

Book early to avoid disappointment!

Call Ben in the Melbourne campaign centre on 9038 0851 to reserve your place.

Nolan's Gully post-logging

This week, the Victorian state government's logging agency, VicForests, sent logging contractors into one of the last mature and unburnt stands of forest in Toolangi, near Healesville.

It was nothing short of a miracle that the area around Toolangi managed to avoid the wrath of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, which badly affected much of the surrounding forest and ranges.

Nolan's Gully was one of the areas that was spared. It’s a beautiful, mixed forest where pristine rainforest gullies and towering Mountain Ash trees coexist in quiet harmony.

Critically important for wildlife

Areas like Nolan’s Gully are critical to local biodiversity too, particularly the endangered animal emblem of the state – the Fairy (Leadbeater’s) Possum – of which fewer than 700 are thought to be left in the wild.

Recent surveys (read them here and here) of Nolan’s Gully have proven that the tiny possum is most certainly living there. This makes it illegal to log the forest under state law, yet despite having the results of the survey in their possession, VicForests have chosen to ignore them and continue on with their destructive, irresponsible and potentially illegal practices.

The impacts from just one day of logging in Nolan's Gully can be seen in the photos above. The first photo is of a beautiful intact forest in Nolan's Gully, the second is how it looked after loggers moved in.

The Fairy Possum's very existence is being threatened by ongoing logging of its forest home. This logging, which is occurring in many other native forests across the state right now, is driven by Australian Paper's insatiable demand for cheap pulplogs from our publicly-owned forests to make consumer products such as Reflex office paper.

State-sponsored extinction

The Leadbeater's Possum is one of Victoria's species facing extinction. Photo by Dan Harley

As a result of the inaction of Premier Napthine and his government to address the plight of the very emblem that they supposedly represent, this gorgeous little creature's future is quite literally being sacrificed for cheap copy paper.

We are also losing beautiful forests and rich biodiversity in the process. These forests cannot be replaced as they take hundreds of years to grow. They provide us with clean drinking water, they provide us with clean air, and if left intact as some of the richest and safest carbon stores on Earth, they are a crucial weapon in tackling climate change.

What the locals say

Knitting Nannas of Toolangi (KNOT) at Nolan's Gully

When the bulldozers rumbled into Nolan's Gully, the Knitting Nannas of Toolangi (or KNOT) set up vigil again, bearing witness to the painful loss of Toolangi's tall trees.

Local residents have responded to the logging at Nolan's Gully with dismay, here are some of their comments:

"We have suffered as we have watched VicForests destroying our magnificent forests since Black Saturday. They and the coalition government have ignored our well-considered arguments about green refugia, endangered species habitat, climate influences, ill effects on tourism, and finally increased fire risk from their operations. They logged Mount Saint Leonard with no sympathy for our feelings or the wildlife that was living there.

"Now they have chosen to log the last great stand of old growth left within cooee of Toolangi, in Nolan's Gully and on Blowhard Ridge. Nolan's contains many huge old trees, and has a beautiful creek and waterfall that is reminiscent of Errinundra Forest in East Gippsland. It is outright vandalism for VicForests and the state government to proceed with destruction of this area."

On Monday at Nolan's Gully, volunteer conservationists disrupted logging operations for the day in a valiant bid to protect these precious forests from the chainsaws.

Today, it is up to all of us.

Take action for Toolangi's forest sanctuaries

• Send a tweet to Victorian Premier Denis Napthine @Vic_Premier using the hashtags #leadbeaterspossum and #forests, asking him to immediately pull the bulldozers and chainsaws out of this precious stand of forest at Nolan's Gully. Or drop him an email at premier@dpc.vic.gov.au
• Sign our petition: Despite these disastrous logging practices in our public forests, the Victorian state government is proposing amendments to forest laws that if passed, would have devastating results.

• Ask your workplace to sign the Ethical Paper Pledge - send a strong message to Australian Paper that buying paper out of native forests is not a risk businesses can afford to take. Pledge at ethicalpaper.com.au

The majority of Tasmanian environment groups are coming-out in support of Tasmanian Forest Agreement legislation which passed in Tasmania’s House of Assembly yesterday, despite efforts made by the Liberal Party to divide the community and block progress on the deal.

Elizabeth Perey, President of the Florentine Protection Society, says that the legislation still provides a pathway forward for industry and the environment.

"We are committed to putting all of our efforts behind making the agreement work and moving the Tasmanian community forward. The amended legislation is far from perfect, but does achieve delivery of the conservation outcomes by default.

“The Tasmanian and Australian governments, Forestry Tasmania and the industry have recognised the need for Forest Stewardship Council certification and have committed to implement the spirit of the Agreement including ceasing logging in the proposed reserves.

“The Society welcomes the governments' and forest industry's commitment to protect the agreed reserves until they are gazetted and calls on the government to formally gazette them as soon as possible,” Ms Perey says.

Dr Andrew Lohrey, from the Save our Sister Group in the North East says that the Tasmanian Forests Agreement legislation was historic legislation that will bring a new beginning to the Tasmanian forestry industry and to conservation.

“We cannot return to the slash and burn forestry practices of the past. Economic modelling released by the Independent Verification Group shows that the Tasmanian Forests Agreement will save over 500 forestry jobs and almost 1000 jobs in related industries.

“This legislation remains the only viable pathway to progress for forestry, the environment movement and the Tasmanian community,” Dr Lohrey said.

Todd Walsh who is a giant freshwater lobster researcher from the North-West, said that he doesn’t like the amendments which have been made to the legislation, but that after years of talk, it remains the only way forward for saving the endangered, giant freshwater lobster population.

“Frankly, I was appalled to see the Liberal Party and LegCo blockers tamper with an agreement that they don’t understand, with no viable Plan B for the industry. But I will stick with the opportunity the legislation still offers for creating new reserves, because this is the only way to protect Tasmania’s giant freshwater lobsters from extinction.”

For further information and interviews:

Contact Environment Tasmania

0417 276 921.

After decades of conflict between forestry and conservation groups, a real path forward has been realised. Despite challenges thrown down by Tasmania's Upper House some weeks ago, the legislation will deliver formal protection for new national parks and reserves in Tasmania. 

The prospect of protecting the full half a million hectares of native forests is well and truly alive, and the World Heritage Area inscription for the Styx, Weld, and Upper Florentine Valleys is on track for a decision in June by the World Heritage Committee. Meanwhile, workers and communities are supported through the restructure of the industry, with the legislation reducing the sawlog industry to less than half of its previous size.

Part 1: The Agreement

1. What is the Tasmanian Forest Agreement?
2. What is the Tasmanian Forest Agreement Act?
3. Did the changes by the Tasmanian Upper House mean the Agreement can’t be delivered?
4. Has the legislation been passed?
5. What forests are protected now?
6. What work needs to be done from now?
7. Why is this is the best way forward for Tassie’s forests?
8. What does the legislation say about protests?
9. What is the state and Commonwealth funding for?

Part 2: The amendments

1. What were the amendments that have passed?
2. What is the impact of the amendments?
3. How have you compensated for the amendments?
4. Why do you still support the when the reserves have been delayed so significantly?
5. Why is Christine Milne saying it’s no good, when you are supporting it?
6. Won’t some of the proposed reserves be logged?

Part 1. The Agreement

1. What is the Tasmanian Forest Agreement?

The Tasmanian Forest Agreement was made between conservation groups including the Wilderness Society, forestry industry bodies, and unions in November 2012. It took almost three years of hard-fought negotiations, and agreed to:

• Protect 504,000 ha of iconic forests and wildlife habitat, including 400,000 ha as soon as legislation is made;
• Create a World Heritage area over iconic forests like the Weld, Styx and Florentine valleys;
• Restructure the forestry industry and;
• Support struggling Tasmanian communities.

2. What is the Tasmanian Forest Agreement Act?

The Agreement needed to be made into law through the Tasmanian parliament. In April 2013, the Tasmanian Upper House made significant changes, including delaying 300,000 hectares of reserves until October 2014, making achievement of top-tier Forest Stewardship Council certification required before reserves are finalised, making progress of reserves uncertain if there are ongoing public campaigns against the industry, and attempting to allow ‘selective’ logging for ‘specialty timbers’ in new reserves. The upper house made it clear that that if there were more changes in the lower house they would vote the legislation down, ending the chances of forest protection.

3. Do the changes by the Tasmanian Upper House mean the Agreement can’t be delivered?

No. While there are some amendments made to the legislation that the Wilderness Society doesn’t support, and the legislation is not perfect, the prospects for protecting Tasmania’s forests and wildlife under the November 2012 Tasmanian Forest Agreement are the best we’ve ever had.

The Wilderness Society and the other conservation signatories had the option to walk away from the agreement. Instead we’ve worked with the industry and the Tasmanian and Australian governments to give the agreement the best chance of protecting our forests.

The two governments and key industry players like Forestry Tasmania have made commitments that mean that the Forest Agreement we signed in November 2012 now has the potential to be delivered, despite the changes made by the upper house.

4. Has the legislation been passed?

Yes. The ALP and the Tasmanian Greens passed the legislation in the lower house on the 30th April. The Liberals opposed it.

5. What forests are protected now?

504,000 hectares of forest will be put into protection until the reserves are finalised. A ‘protection order’ revoking the ability to log and a State-Commonwealth conservation agreement will be made, the area will be managed by the National Parks Service and protected as a precondition of FSC certification, and wood will not be bought or sold from these areas by key companies. A small number of logging operations (around 600ha in total) will occur in the reserves while the industry transitions to other wood supplies, and there’s agreement to reduce this by as much as possible and as soon as possible.

Around 100,000 ha will be put in permanent reserves initially, and a 170,000 ha World Heritage Area is planned for creation in June over iconic forests like the Styx, Weld and Upper Florentine Valleys. The rest of the reserves will be formally protected in 2014 and 2015.

6. What work needs to be done from now?

A ‘Special Council’ of the signatories to the Agreement has been set up to implement parts of the Agreement. The Wilderness Society has a lot of work to do make sure that the 400,000ha of reserves in interim protection are made into National Parks and other reserves over the next two years.

There is also a big job to convince the Liberal parties, nationally and in Tasmania, that the Tasmanian and Australian communities expect forest protection and a sustainable forest industry. If the Liberal party's policy is to tear up the Forest Agreement - as they are currently claiming - it would mean entrenched destruction of forests and devastation for Tasmanian workers and communities.

7. Why is this is the best way forward for Tassie’s forests?

This outcome is not perfect for our forests, or for the forestry industry. Real-world solutions seldom are. But for the first time the forestry industry is supporting important forest protection, as the future viability of the industry depends on community support and top-shelf certification from the Forest Stewardship Council.

The Forest Agreement gives us what Tasmanians and Australians have wanted for our forests for decades – a World Heritage Area in the southern forests, an end to logging in 500,000 hectares of our iconic forests, and the best shot we’ve ever had to protect our forests all over Tasmania.

8. What does the legislation say about protests?

Tasmania's Upper House made amendments that allow either house of parliament to consider not progressing the making of reserves if particular campaigns or actions are undertaken. This is not something the Wilderness Society supports, and our 30 year commitment to peaceful protest as a fundamental part of protecting the environment is as strong as ever.

9. What is the state and Commonwealth funding for?

The funding for the agreement is for a range of issues including buyout out sawlog contracts to reduce volumes, exit assistance for contractors, worker packages, regional development, reserves management, moving logging out of the reserves, and plantation innovation. You can see the official government 'funding schedule' here.

One of the innacuracies going around about the agreement is that the funding is a 'handout' to 'prop-up' the industry. The reality is that the vast majority of the money is being spent on managing the impact on those leaving the industry, be they workers, sawmillers or logging contractors, reducing the size of the industry, and on diverse regional development projects to provide jobs in other industries. 

The main direct support for the future of the native forest industry is 9 million dollars to run a process to determine what can be done with the woodchips that need to be sold for logging to be viable. This process will be run by the Special Council, of which TWS is a part, and our Agreement with industry means any solutions must be economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable. While this funding may seem counter intuitive to conservation, the industry negotiators made it clear they could not support reserves unless there were options explored to sell ( a massively reduced volume of) woodchips. 

There is also 2 million dollars allocated for a review of specialty timber supplies and management. Again this will be run by the Special Council, and is absolutely fundamental for conservation. Some funding has also been provided to allow Forestry Tasmania to pursue Forest Stewardship Council certification. It is essential any efforts to get this certification are done well, and the funding helps this. 

Some industry buy-out funding will flow immediately, but the $100 million for regional development will not be provided to Tasmania from the commonwealth until the first 80,000ha of reserves begin to be created.

Media release: 24 April 2013

Australian and Queensland governments must cooperate to deliver World Heritage nomination with Traditional Owner consent by July

The Wilderness Society today called on the Australian Government to deliver on its promise to nominate Cape York for World Heritage listing with Traditional owner consent, following the release of a new report confirming Cape York Peninsula’s natural values meet the World Heritage criteria.

Wilderness Society Northern Australia Campaigner Gavan McFadzean said: “Traditional Owners are indicating their consent and now some of Australia’s leading scientists have confirmed that Cape York Peninsula contains widespread natural values of World Heritage standard.

“This report puts a clear responsibility at the foot of the Gillard and Newman governments to nominate all areas of Cape York Peninsula where Traditional Owners consent by July, and for whoever wins the upcoming federal election to take the nomination forward to listing.”

The report, “The natural attributes for World Heritage nomination of Cape York Peninsula”, was commissioned by the Commonwealth government to assess the natural values of Cape York against World Heritage criteria. They have found that Cape York contains universal values of international significance and that these values are widespread across the Cape.

The scientists grouped the natural values of Cape York Peninsula into seven key attributes including tropical savanna, rainforest, bauxite ecosystems, freshwater biodiversity and dune systems. It concludes that Cape York contains some of the best examples of these ecosystems on the planet.

The report was released to Traditional Owner groups who are assessing cultural values against the World Heritage criteria and considering whether to consent to a World Heritage nomination.

The report also refers to the significant, short term, destructive threats to Cape York, including mining and land clearing.

“This report sends a clear message to the Queensland government not to approve and fast track destructive mining developments over areas now known to be of international conservation significance,” Mr McFadzean said. “This is especially the case given the decision by the Queensland Government to wind back existing protections such as wild rivers and land clearing laws.

“The report highlights that investing in destructive mining projects on Cape York is a risky investment decision which will attract significant opposition both nationally and internationally.”

For further comment contact:

Wilderness Society Northern Australia Campaign Manager Gavan McFadzean on 0414 754 023

For more information or to interview report author Professor Peter Valentine or Cape York Traditional Owners, contact Wilderness Society media adviser Alex Tibbitts on 0416 420 168

Media release: 23 April 2013

The Wilderness Society has described the next stage of Newman Government planning for Cape York Peninsula as a sham, saying it is all about ignoring the region’s world class environments and instead fast-tracking mining and destructive development.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has today convened just the second meeting of a Committee supposed to be overseeing the planning process, one which has excluded some key environmental and Traditional Owner representatives. At the meeting, an issues paper was tabled which contains scant recognition of the ecological and cultural values of Cape York Peninsula, and sparse details on what the government plans to do on the region.

“The Issues Paper presented to the Committee is a joke”, said Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager for the Wilderness Society. “This is supposed to be the culmination of several months’ work on documenting the natural and cultural values of Cape York, detailing what the government intends to replace Wild River Declarations with, and how it will move forwards on its Statutory Plan for the region.

“Instead, the Issues Paper ignores key processes such as a World Heritage nomination, and provides very generalized and extremely brief descriptions of some issues, leaving Deputy Premier Seeney with maximum scope to push forwards on his mining and damaging development agenda.

“Mr Seeney know what he wants to do on Cape York, and this will be very bad news for the region’s fragile and globally significant ecosystems, for its cultural heritage, and for local communities who will be sucked into supporting destructive mining rather than long term, sustainable enterprises.

“Cape York’s strongest competitive advantages are its natural and cultural values. Protecting these environments, creating jobs and economic opportunities based around promoting and showcasing those environments, and building long term prosperity without destroying the region’s landscapes, rivers and coastlines is the best pathway for local communities.”

The Wilderness Society has predicted that by mid-year, the Newman Government plans to commence the revocation of essential Wild River declarations on Cape York, including the Wenlock River, sparking renewed national and international campaigns to protect the river, the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, and associated landscapes and ecological systems.

Contact: Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager: 0439 201 183

Media release: 17 April 2013

The Wilderness Society has slammed moves by the Newman Government to wind back tree clearing laws in the state, which help protect the states endangered animals, birds and plants, our drinking water and our agricultural productivity. The leading conservation group appeared today before a Parliamentary Inquiry into proposed amendments to the Vegetation Management Act, and said the move risks a return to the madness of the days when Queensland was almost the land clearing capital of the world.

“The proposals to water down tree clearing regulations in Queensland will have devastating effects on threatened species such as koalas, mahogany gliders and cassowaries, and for Queensland’s overall biodiversity,” said Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager for the Wilderness Society.

“The amendments are also very bad news for landscape integrity and for our long-term  economic prosperity and social well-being. Native vegetation supports healthy, biodiverse landscapes which in turn provides essential environmental, social and economic benefits, including protecting water quality, healthy soils and more productive agricultural systems.

“Land-clearing laws also will help buffer the effects of climate change.”

The introduction of the Vegetation Management Framework Amendment Bill 2013 by Minister Cripps has occurred without any prior community consultation or discussion about its impacts or rationale. The changes will immediately affect more than 700,000 hectares of regrowing native vegetation, including some 30-year-old woodlands.

The amendments also propose making “sustainable land use” as a key purpose of the Vegetation Management Act, without defining what this will mean in practice, thus effectively allowing the clearing remnant native vegetation on grounds determined by the Minister alone.

“Farming groups may offer soothing words around the government’s amendments, but the reality is that they are yet another attack by the Newman Government on environmental protections which guarantee our quality of life.”

“The provisions of this Bill undermine the existing purposes of the Vegetation Management Act, thus significantly weakening Queensland’s tree clearing laws,” Dr Seelig said. “The Bill will have irreversible impacts on endangered ecosystems, endangered species and the integrity of many landscapes and rivers. There will be direct effects on carbon sequestration and thus on land related carbon emissions.

“The Newman Government should listen to the broad community which cares very much about our natural systems, and support environmental protection rather than taking an axe to it.”

Contact: Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager: 0439 201 183