Wilderness in peril

Photo: Dan Broun - Lake Judd from the Eliza Plateau

Suddenly the state government is laying bare the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) to logging, mining and monopoly tourism projects.

Premier Hodgman says he will remove the TWWHA management plan's protection of its core wilderness value. Wild and scenic places like Prion Beach and New River Lagoon, beautiful lakes of the Central Plateau, Lake Judd and wild Bathurst Harbour are under threat of motorised incursion and privatised infra-structure in a world where wilderness is one of the fastest disappearing natural resources. To make matters worse, the Tasmanian Labor opposition backs the plan.

Our Foundation is raising a strong defence of the TWWHA, along with other NGOs, the Greens in the State and Federal parliaments and rising international alarm.

This is a global litmus test. If Tasmania’s hard-won wilderness is to be serially eroded by profiteers, where else on Earth will wilderness survive?

Tasmania's World Heritage wilderness is no place for logging or mining. Private tourism developments should be located outside national parks in access points like Strahan, Cockle Creek and the Liffey and Cradle Valleys. Work to facilitate visitors inside the TWWHA should be undertaken by governments as in the existing management plan.

The drive for direct invasion and profit from some of the most serene places in the TWWHA is being spearheaded by Simon Currant's Tourism Council at the big end of town - key backers of the state and federal Liberal parties.

Federal Environment Minister Hunt has so far done nothing to defend the TWWHA from this impending invasion though he has the power to veto it.

You can help. Please write to Premier Hodgman or Prime Minister Abbott. Ask your local federal MHA or senator what she/he will do to defend the TWWHA. Plan a visit to the TWWHA and invite them along. Let them know this is a public heirloom, a WORLD HERITAGE wilderness, not a private money-making allotment for government-selected developers.

To back urgent action please make a donation to our Foundation: we are in full campaign mode to protect the TWWHA but much more needs to be done. Watch for new campaign materials and the upcoming public meetings in Hobart and Launceston.

Your one-off donation will lift our campaign to raise a state, national and international furore to protect the TWWHA.

A regular monthly donation will help us keep this campaign going strong until the wilderness is safe. Remember that all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for helping.

For the wilderness,

Bob Brown

Photo: Dan Broun - Lake Judd from the Eliza Plateau

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Michael Jones commented 2015-02-14 00:05:41 +1100
An often toted piece of propaganda in Tasmania is that “half the state is locked up”. If the truth be told, half of Tasmania was logged by around 1860, and we have been going at it hammer and tongs ever since. Our need for visionary and courageous leaders here is by now desperate. Our ecological systems won’t be able to withstand this constant battering for much longer. Along with the rest of the world we are on the verge of environmental catastrophe – so devastating that even precious species such as the Southern Well Cossetted Shareholder will be wiped out.
John Mills followed this page 2015-02-07 13:40:48 +1100
Kathy Crawford commented 2015-02-07 10:05:02 +1100
Hello, I grew up near the East Tamar and now live in N. E. Tasmania. I love the area around Launceston, North to Low Head and N. E. To St. Helens. I want remaining natural areas within my territory preserved and accessible for me to walk in and hear native birds, see diversity of nature with NO litter and natural seascapes, rivers, creeks, wetlands, mountain views. Please Bob Brown speak up for these areas also..
I have been to Strahan and World Heritage areas from there, I have been to Dove Lake, my brother walked into original Lake Peddar, and nieces and nephews have done The Overland Track. The Tasmanian Aborigines walked those lands. They should be kept protected, but accessible.