Nick McKim MHA
Wednesday, 14 DECEMBER 2005
GOVERNMENT MUST REVIEW GIANT FRESHWATER CRAYFISH DRAFT RECOVERY PLAN

As International Expert Recommends Extension of Buffer Zones in Headwater Streams
The Tasmanian Greens today revealed that the pre-eminent global expert on Giant Freshwater Crayfish (Astocopsis gouldii,) Dr Premek Hamr of the Upper Canada College, has recommended that the Draft Recovery Plan for A Gouldii be toughened to better protect one of Tasmania’s icon threatened species.

Greens Opposition Environment spokesperson Nick McKim MHA, who obtained Dr Hamr’s report under the Freedom of Information Act, said that the government’s Draft Recovery Plan had been clearly designed to protect forest industry profits rather than look after the Freshwater Crayfish.

Mr McKim said that the contention surrounded the need for 30m buffer zones on all headwater streams in catchments containing A gouldii, rather than just areas where there has been confirmed sightings, and called on Environment Minister Judy Jackson to ensure that Dr Hamr’s recommendations are reflected in the final Recovery Plan.

“Dr Hamr has made it clear that a buffer zone of at least 30m should be implemented on all headwater streams in catchments where A gouldii exist, rather than the Forestry Tasmania inspired Draft Recovery Plan which limits 30m buffer zones to known A gouldii sites.”

“The choice is now clear for Mrs Jackson: she can either protect one of Tasmania’s iconic threatened species, or protect the profits of the woodchip industry. But she can’t do both.”
Mr McKim said that members of the Recovery Team have previously made it clear that the Draft Recovery Plan was based on the agenda of Forestry Tasmania.

“The process to date has been another example of the forest industry receiving preferred status from a compliant government.”

“Dr Hamr’s position runs contrary to that taken by Forestry Tasmania and the government must act to redraft the Recovery Plan to give effect to Dr Hamr’s recommendations.”

“A Gouldii is an iconic Tasmanian species which should be sacrificed on the altar of forest industry profits by a compliant Government.”
“Mrs Jackson should realise that she is Minister for the Environment, not Minister for forest industry profits.”

Mr McKim said that Dr Hamr’s report included recommendations that
•“…the width of buffers should be kept at least 30m for all stream classes of all elevations in all catchments containing A Gouldii.” (p9)
• “…the reservation of headwaters should not be based solely on the presence of crayfish or elevation, but rather by the overall benefit it may have on downstream or connected crayfish habitats and populations.”. (p8)

Nick McKim MHA
Thursday, 15 DECEMBER 2005

GREENS CONGRATULATE HUON VALLEY COUNCIL ON FIRST STEPS TO ENDING 1080 USE IN THE VALLEY

The Tasmanian Greens today congratulated the Huon Valley Council for giving in-principle support to the Huon Valley becoming a 1080 free zone, and for asking that a report on the move be prepared for consideration at a Council meeting in March 2006.

Greens Member for Franklin Nick McKim MHA said that the motion, which was originally moved by Greens Alderman Liz Smith, was passed six votes to two, with only the Mayor and Deputy Mayor voting against.

“Local communities are sick of having their pets poisoned and their environment sullied by 1080, especially when there are clear alternatives to its use,” Mr McKim said.

“This is a clear reflection of the attitude of local communities right round Tasmania who want an end to the disgusting practice of 1080 poison, particularly when it is used to target native species.”

Again protesters are putting the lives and jobs of hardworking law abiding people at risk by breaking the law by attaching themselves to contractors’ machines. 

These people should be fined and not slapped on the wrist by police who’s going to reimburse the poor contractor who’s trying to make a living by legal means but is not allowed by The ANTI EVERYTHING GREENS who break the law to achieve their goals.

Again protestors risk their lives and their freedom, to protect our environment and our future.

These people should be celebrated for their bravery to challenge the unacceptable laws that allow forestry workers to destroy the environment for a quick buck, all under a legal framework set up by a government in cahoots with the ANTI-ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY who make up their own laws to achieve their goals.

Just like the executives on the Titanic: “...there’s no cause for alarm.” ...“There’s certainly been a decline in some of the leatherwood areas, where we’ve had on state forest, but…”

Due to cricket, Tassie listeners on local ABC radio may have missed this story last night:

FT’s Graeme Sargison: ...The problem is that these leatherwood-rich forests also have very rich resources in sawlog and veneer… So, we’ve got to find a balance.

Leatherwood honey under threat by logging
ABC Online, Australia - 9 hours ago
But beekeepers in southern Tasmania are sounding a warning about their unique local product, saying logging of the leatherwood trees that give the honey its ...
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2005/s1534494.htm
Transcript
This is a transcript from PM. The program is broadcast around Australia at 5:10pm on Radio National and 6:10pm on ABC Local Radio.
You can also listen to the story in REAL AUDIO and WINDOWS MEDIA and MP3 formats.
Leatherwood honey under threat by logging
PM - Monday, 19 December , 2005 17:42:00
Reporter: Tim Jeanes
TANYA NOLAN: Leatherwood honey is highly prized by sweet-tooths all over the world.

But beekeepers in southern Tasmania are sounding a warning about their unique local product, saying logging of the leatherwood trees that give the honey its distinctive taste is threatening their industry.

The forestry industry says it’s working to preserve the trees and there’s no cause for alarm.

From Hobart, Tim Jeanes reports.

TIM JEANES: Nicole Frith-Trioli from Hobart’s Wursthaus Kitchen says the taste of leatherwood honey is incomparable.

NICOLE FRITH-TRIOLO: Intense honey. Very fragrant, incredibly pungent aroma and has sort of like a… almost a buttery honeysuckle nose to it. It’s quite a rare honey and one of the strongest honeys in the world.

TIM JEANES: Can it be substituted?

NICOLE FRITH-TRIOLO: There is no substitute for leatherwood honey at all. There’s nothing that can really compare to it.

There’s a huge demand for it and we have people come in from all over the world, particularly overseas, that have a huge fascination in it.

I suppose because of the strength of it, it just has such a uniqueness to it, and that’s what people are after.

TIM JEANES: But southern Tasmanian beekeepers such as Hedley Hoskinson say that taste that people are after is under threat.

HEDLEY HOSKINSON: We haven’t any time all. It’s going. It’s going, and we haven’t got anything to replace it.

TIM JEANES: Mr Hoskinson has told the Tasmanian Country Hour that despite recent moves to increase beekeepers’ access to leatherwood forests, urgent protection is needed.

HEDLEY HOSKINSON: Oh, massive loss in the south and the north-west is absolutely massive.

The main area now is the Gordon Forest that we have, and that’s been severely logged and we’re fighting for the last remnants of… so we’re not left with just remnants of that.

TIM JEANES: But Forestry Tasmania says while it’s something of a balancing act, it is working to preserve leatherwood trees and provide greater access for the beekeepers.

Graeme Sargison is Forestry Tasmania’s Manager of Field Services.

GRAEME SARGISON: There’s certainly been a decline in some of the leatherwood areas, where we’ve had on state forest, but we’ve also reserved leatherwood-rich patches wherever we go.

The problem is that these leatherwood-rich forests also have very rich resources in sawlog and veneer.

So, we’ve got to find a balance.

TIM JEANES: Mr Sargison says a new approach to logging key areas should also help.

GRAEME SARGISON: But in the Gordon Forest specifically, we’ve actually deferred well over 155 hectares of leatherwood-rich forests. About a hundred of that will be logged in this what we call aggregative retention.

The retention system sets aside clumps of forest inside the logging coop. And what we’ll… our planners will do, we’ll actually try and make the retained areas leatherwood rich. So if we can actually isolate those in the planning system, we will protect those in the selective logging.

TANYA NOLAN: The Manager of Field Services with Forestry Tasmania, Graeme Sargison

google search: “aggregated retention”:

Environmental Psychology - Social Research, Institute of Land and ...
Tasmania’s wet Eucalypt forests are currently harvested by a clearfell, ...
30% aggregated retention system 30% aggregated retention system ...
http://www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/research/social/psychology/projects.html

[PDF] 1 TWFF comment on the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement. (TCFA)
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Tasmania are the variable retention methods of aggregated retention and dispersed.
retention. 2. Both methods perpetuate the waste of useful timber and of ...
http://www.twff.com.au/twfftcfa1.pdf

Example from US: Descriptions of Treatments
http://www.cfr.washington.edu/Research.demo/overview/design.htm

You may have guessed it: Chief Forest Practices officer Graham Wilkinson rejects Todd’s estimate,...

The Expert: Chief Forest Practices officer Graham Wilkinson says all streams are assessed prior to clearing, for their potential as lobster habitat, and protected with buffer zones ranging from 5 to 30 metres.

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/tas/today.htm

Freshwater lobster protection zones
Report: Eliza Wood/Sally Dakis

Buffer zones to protect freshwater lobster habitat in logging coups is again in the news, as the draft recovery plan for the endangered species is being considered by the State Government.

Lobster Recovery Team member Todd Walsh says he has asked Environment Minister Judy Jackson how many buffer zones are in place, but is not satisfied with the answer.
He says the problem is that buffer zones are only placed in areas that are registered lobster habitats, and the majority of habitat is not being protected.
The Environment Minister Judy Jackson declined our invitation to respond to Todd’s comments, referring us instead to the Forest Practices Authority.
The Authority reviews all applications for land clearing in the state. It’s Chief Forest Practices officer Graham Wilkinson says all streams are assessed prior to clearing, for their potential as lobster habitat, and protected with buffer zones ranging from 5 to 30 metres.
Graham Wilkinson rejects Todd’s estimates, that 99% of lobster habitat remains unprotected.

In this report: Graham Wilkinson, chief officer Forest Practices Authority; Todd Walsh, lobster recovery team member