Libs push ahead on Tarkine tracks

THE State Government is determined to reopen tracks in the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area to off-road vehicles, Health Minister Micheal Ferguson says.

The Federal Government’s decision to require further investigation of the plan has opened a second front in the long-running battle over the area’s future.

In addition to Aboriginal heritage issues, the Federal Environment Department on Monday ruled further assessment was needed on the effect of reopening the tracks on threatened species in the area.

But Mr Ferguson said the Government would not be dissuaded from its course.

“We are absolutely determined to reopen these tracks that Labor closed,” he said.

“This is a very important cultural matter for the community, not just of the NorthWest, but for many people around Tasmania.”

BirdLife Tasmania convener Eric Woehler welcomed the decision on the plan to reopen the three tracks because of the potential effect on hooded plovers, red-necked stints and ruddy turnstones.

“These coastal areas hold remarkable cultural and natural values that are actively being destroyed by uncontrolled 4WDs with the blessing of the Tasmanian Government,” Dr Woehler said.

“Beaches in the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area support internationally significant populations of resident and migratory shorebirds. Some species fly between Siberia and the Arthur-Pieman annually.”

Jenny Weber, of the Bob Brown Foundation, hailed the work of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation in opposing the Government’s tracks plan.

“Thankfully the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre remained vigilant in their efforts to defend the National Heritagelisted cultural heritage landscape, took the Tasmanian Government to the Federal Court and halted Premier Hodgman’s controversial and damaging proposal,” she said.