Friday 23rd January 2009

Community mourns the loss of Tasmania's forests

Over 80 members of the Tasmanian community of all ages and walks of life came to Parliament Lawns today to mourn the death of many ancient forests in the past and to ensure that this fate does not befall the forests of the Upper Florentine.

" Forestry Tasmania claim that their planned operations in the Upper Florentine are necessary as the ancient trees in the forest are dying," community spokesperson Natalie Keene said.
 
 " The ancient, dynamic ecosystems of the Upper Florentine have existed for millenia without the help of the forestry industry.  Forestry Tasmania should be asking their employers, the people of Tasmania, whether it is desirable for them to be destroying our natural heritage using ideologically driven and scientifically dubious techniques," Natalie Keene said.

" Bob Gordon has no heaven sent right to destroy places of superb natural value, such as the valleys of the Weld, the Styx, and the Upper Florentine. He should be more concerned about securing his own future than about euthanising the  ancient giants of the Upper Florentine," Natalie Keene said.

" It is time for the state government to redesign the organisation that governs our forests. State forests should be managed for all current and future generations. Forestry Tasmania have obviously failed in their mandated task to manage our state forests for the good of all Tasmanians," Natalie Keene said.

" Forestry Tasmania and the state government are planning the destruction of the Upper Florentine, and other iconic areas such as the Weld and Styx Valleys. Many Tasmanians have mourned the loss of irreplaceable parts of our natural heritage. The actions of those here today, and of those thousands of Tasmanians  who stand up for their forests send a clear signal to the state government - enough is enough. It is time for change," Natalie Keene said.