Tourism’s logging plea
TASMANIAN tourism operators are begging the government to put a stop to native logging, which they say is threatening the viability of their industry.
More than 160 businesses, tour guides and outdoor adventurers have signed an open letter to the government demanding better protections for Tasmania’s native forests.
One of them is Tassie Bound Adventure Tours operator Fiona Weaver, who said the Tasmanian brand depended on its clean, green, sustainable image.
“There’s no doubt Tasmania’s accessible wilderness areas and our nature-based attractions are our state’s biggest tourism drawcards,” Ms Weaver said.
“Protecting our native forests will protect the Tasmanian brand, retain carbon, stop carbon emissions from logging and burning, and protect biodiversity in the region.”
Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association vicepresident Kenna Reid-Clark said native logging was an “outdated practice” that had no future in Tasmania.
“I believe Tasmania is nearing a time where we transition from destructive industries and become a leader in sustainability,” Mr ReidClark said.
“Ending logging in high conservation forests is a nobrainer. I hope the Gutwein government has the foresight to show real leadership on this matter.”
Blue Derby Wild co-ordinator Louise Morris said Derby businesses were feeling the imminent threat of native logging.
Over coming weeks Krushka’s and Atlas forests around the iconic Blue Derby mountain bike trail network will be cleared by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
“A number of industries around the mountain bike tracks — accommodation, shuttle services, tourism providers — have been vocal in trying to stop the logging of these forests,” Ms Morris said.
“They understand it impacts their business and impacts the brand of Blue Derby.
“We’re building a naturebased tourism sector in North-East Tasmania which is undermined by native logging.”
However, Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Suzette Weeding said such “ideological objections” to the forestry industry were driving an unnecessary divide between mountain biking, tourism and forestry.
Ms Weeding said, if anything, it was they who were damaging Derby’s iconic brand.
“There has been misleading and outdated information being shared about upcoming harvesting operations near Derby,” she said.
“To be clear, no coupes will be clear-felled, and the Blue Derby mountain bike trails are entirely outside of the proposed harvest areas.”