Historic opportunity to end years of conflict over Tasmania’s forests

Media Release                           
Thursday 26 August 2010

The Wilderness Society today responded to media reports on the ongoing discussions about the protection of Tasmania’s native forests with environment and forest industry representatives.

The Wilderness Society’s national forest coordinator, Tim Birch said the discussions were focused on the protection of Tasmania’s native forests, creating a sustainable timber industry in Tasmania, and ending the long-standing dispute which has divided the Tasmanian community. The talks offer the prospect of a truly historic solution to the conflict over Tasmania’s forests.

“We are attempting to reach agreement with the industry on a solution to the protection of Tasmania’s native forests and immediate cessation of logging in the high conservation zones, such as Upper Florentine, the Blue Tier and the Tarkine,” said Mr Birch.

These spectacular forests are currently unprotected and are home to many species including the threatened Tasmanian Devil and Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle.

“We are not negotiating on the establishment of a pulp mill,” said Mr Birch.

“It should be made very clear, that if we reach agreement on these principles it will not give a green light to the Tamar Valley pulp mill. There are a range of environmental and social concerns that must be addressed in relation to this proposed mill, including a proper community consultation process

“The ongoing discussions have been extremely worthwhile and our objective remains to reach common ground on the need to create a sustainable forest industry in Tasmania, provide jobs for workers and keep Tasmania clean and green. These talks are about a new path forward on the forestry debate in Tasmania, a path which finds acceptable outcomes to all sides

“If State and Federal governments support any agreed principles, a program for formal negotiations can commence. To be successful, the negotiations will require significant input from a much broader range of stakeholders, experts and the broader community,” said Mr Birch.