Logging proposed in heritage area
By Kevin L'Huillier
HOBART — The Tasmanian Wilderness Society has uncovered a 1991 state government report which identifies most of the Great Western Tiers as worthy of addition to World Heritage areas for both landscape value and significant Aboriginal sites.
However, a forest management plan currently being considered by state cabinet would allow logging to continue at Jackeys Marsh and Warners Sugarloaf. This logging is opposed by environmentalists and residents.
A new plan to export logs to Korea from Tasmanian native forests was revealed on May 28 by Premier Ray Groom.
Groom believes a trial shipment of 10,000 tonnes of eucalypt logs would open a new market and ease the current surplus of pulpwood.
Both the Tasmanian Greens and the Timber Workers Union secretary criticised the plan. They believe more employment can be generated by processing the logs locally.