23.1.2009 Community mourns the loss of Tasmania's forests
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.
Contact: Natalie Keene 0407249589
HIGH RES IMAGES AVAILABLE; natalie.keene@gmail.com
