Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

UNESCO rejects ‘feeble’ bid to reduce size of Tasmanian protected forests

UNESCO rejects ‘feeble’ bid to reduce size of Tasmanian protected forests
June 24, 2014

UNESCO has unanimously rejected a “feeble” Australian Government bid to reopen 74,000 hectares of forest from Tasmania's World Heritage Area (WHA) to logging.

At its annual meeting in Doha, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee said the Federal Government had failed to provide compelling evidence that areas added to the site only last year were detracting from the overall value of the area. The area was part of 170,000 hectares added to the WHA last year under Tasmania's forest peace deal enacted by the former State and Federal Labor Governments.

The Abbott Ministry had argued the 74,000 hectares were degraded by previous logging and should be unlocked for the timber industry.

No committee members defended the Australian cause as the proposal was discarded in less than ten minutes.

Portugal’s delegate said accepting Australia’s request would undermine UNESCO’s ability to protect natural and cultural icons, stating "the justifications presented (for) the reduction are, to say the least, feeble.

“Accepting this delisting ...  would be setting an unacceptable precedent, impossible to deny in similar circumstances in the future. If this committee cares for conservation according to responsible engagement of state parties to the convention when they submit their nominations, we cannot accept this requested delisting.”

It is the second time in a week UNESCO has rejected of Australian attempts to open world heritage sites to development. Last Wednesday, the committee warned that the Great Barrier Reef could be placed on a list of threatened sites because of Queensland’s approval of plans to dump material dredged from coal ports inside the park.

The Australian Government told UNESCO that some of the 172,500 hectares added under the previous Labor government were forests degraded by logging or contained plantations and that “the assessment work that included such areas in the property did not sufficiently take this in to account”. The new boundary would annex 43% of the original extension.

A representative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which advises UNESCO, rebuffed the Federal Government’s assertion that the Tasmanian forests were degraded, stating “the current proposal is extremely sparse in the material that has been provided and it doesn’t compare in quality to the clearly argued position in the proposal for additions that were made last year."

The Government says it accepts the UNESCO's decision, with Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt stating “Australia accepts and will consider the decision of the World Heritage Committee.”

Minister Hunt pointed out that the delisting attempt had been an election commitment for a “minor boundary modification” to the area.

A spokesman for the Tasmanian Government said it was disappointed with the outcome but would accept the decision.

News of the decision was quickly welcomed by conservation groups, including former Greens leader Bob Brown who described the decision as a "global diplomatic humiliation" for the Abbott Government.

Wilderness Society Campaign Manager Vica Bayley said the decision showed the world was behind preserving the forest, adding “environmentalists and Aboriginal Tasmanians are together welcoming this decision because it does protect the integrity of the Tasmanian World Heritage Area and it would protect that in perpetuity."

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told a timber industry function that he wanted more forest available.

Prime Minister stated "we don't support, as a Government and as a Coalition, further lockouts of our forests.

"We have quite enough national parks, we have quite enough locked-up forests already. In fact, in an important respect, we have too much locked-up forest."

However, one of Tasmania's leading timber industry groups, Forest Industries Association of Tasmania, wrote to the World Heritage Committee asking it to uphold the current boundaries.

14th April 2014 - TASMANIA’S PROTECTED FORESTS TO BE LOGGED AS PEACE DEAL DISMANTLED


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Vivaticket

As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as Vivaticket Pty Ltd.  Vivaticket is the ideal strategic partner for the organisation and management of your…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 

Yellowbox Lockers

Yellowbox is an Australian technology company that has developed smart locker technology operated through an app with a focus on experience for users and facility managers. Found at Beaches, Aquatic…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Entertainment / Retail / Security

 
 

APT Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…

read more

Environment / Sport / Surfaces / Technology

 
 

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 
 

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd are the premium dealer in Australasia for the Dutch company BERG’s commercial and domestic products. Our flagship product is their revolutionary pedal go-kart – the…

read more

Attractions / Tourism / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business