We hope to be able to update you further soon.

‘…it (the RFA) states that the Commonwealth and Tasmania agree that the:
… application of management strategies and management prescriptions developed under Tasmania’s Forest Management Systems, protect rare and threatened fauna.
And Forestry Tasmania has stated publicly in the last week that it intends to log one of the richest nesting sites for this species known after the current nesting season.’

(Hansard 20th October 2008, F&PA 75, our additions in brackets and emphasis in bold)

Senator John Faulkner undertook to ‘…make the Prime Minister’s office aware of that (matter) urgently, and draw it to the Prime Minister’s attention appropriately’.
(Hansard 20th October 2008, F&PA 78, our additions in brackets)

We maintain a watching brief. Read Bob’s media full release below for more detailed information.

Wielangta update

A new report on the Swift Parrot concludes that the species may now be critically endangered, not just endangered. The only evidence of its population level, winter surveys on the mainland, shows a dramatic decline in Swift Parrot sightings since 2003. Logging of its Tasmanian nesting and foraging habitat is the prime threat to the species.

The report calls on Prime Minister Rudd to use his powers under the Regional Forest Agreement to halt logging in coupes containing Swift Parrot breeding habitat until a landscape scale protection plan is in place. Read the report at www.on-trial.info.

Who is responsible for the fate of the Swift Parrot?

At Senate estimates this week, representatives of the Prime Minister’s department maintained that the Environment Department has ‘main carriage’ of the Swift Parrot issue and that the Prime Minister had not been informed of it. (Transcripts are at http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S11349.pdf, starting on p.73)

Over at the Environment Department, Minister Garrett says that the Tasmanian forest management agencies are responsible for protecting the Swift Parrot and he cannot intervene.

(http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2008/2397656.htm)

In Tasmania, Ken Jeffreys, speaking for Forestry Tasmania, says there are 391 000 hectares of suitable habitat for the Swift Parrot and that 1000 pairs only need 2000 hectares to breed in! ()

Meanwhile at Wielangta, Forestry Tasmania has agreed to suspend logging in coupe 19D until the Swift Parrots have finished nesting. That’s a reprieve of about 3 months!

Only Prime Minister Rudd and Tasmanian Premier Bartlett can untangle this knot. In 2007, then Prime Minister Howard and Premier Lennon changed the Regional Forest Agreement overnight in response to the Justice Marshall’s Wielangta judgment. Now they can change it to protect the Swift Parrot – or Prime Minister Rudd can terminate the Agreement so that responsibility for threatened species in Tasmanian forests reverts to the federal Environment Minister.

Bob Brown and Margaret Blakers

David Llewellyn agreed to send scientists into Coupe 19D and surrounding areas to verify the sightings of swift parrots by community members. He said he would make a decision about logging Coupe 19D once he had obtained information from the scientists.

A reprieve for the parrots for a little bit longer!!!!

Forestry Tasmania have since agreed to stop the logging and woodchipping of Coupe 19D until after the 2008/09 swift parrot breeding season!

This decision is a direct result of survey information provided to Forestry Tasmania by members of the community.

Congratulations! and Thank you!!

Forestry Tasmania are collaborating with the Threatened Species Unit in DPIW and the Forest Practices Authority (who authorise logging plans) to “…carry out a strategic assessment of the Wielangta forests”. (Dr Hans Drielsma, Forestry Tas)

The Forest Practices Authority wants to “…assure us that all parties are working towards ensuring a sound scientific basis for the long term management of habitat for Swift Parrot across its range”.

So, a further reprieve for the forest and residents in Coupe 19D until maybe late January 2009!!!!

The next few months are critical – now is the time to work towards the long term protection of swift parrot breeding habitat in Tasmania.

Be active.

The National Swift Parrot Recovery team are meeting in Hobart in November – so it’s good timing.

Make sure that every one of the 3,000 parrot postcards lands on Premier David Bartlett’s desk.

Write letters to Minister David Llewellyn and Premier David Bartlett asking for the protection of swift parrot habitat.

Despite all representations to date, it seems that Forestry Tasmania will be logging this coupe for woodchips any time now and therefore destroying the breeding habitat of these invaluable global treasures.

A recent letter (22/9/08) to all Tasmanian Labor Senators, Labor Members of the House of Assembly and Labor Legislative Councillors outlines recent conversations South East Forest Protection Group have had with staff of Forestry Tasmania and the Forest Practices Authority.

The weak, unsustainable position the ’so-called’ Government business and regulatory authority are taking, sheds light on a lack of strategic direction and failure to manage our forests for maximum economic and ecological return.

Science is telling a completely different story, as recent research from ANU has shown.

The exercise of political will seems to be the only course of action left open to avert the impending loss of species, habitat and carbon sink values.

Consider speaking with or emailing your elected representatives and the media to raise the profile of this issue, before it is too late.

The aforementioned letter supplies reference material for your contribution. Raise your voice!

If you want to join national swift parrot specialists in the survey party on Sunday, please email wildwielangta at gmail dot com NOW.

A Swift Parrot and Lorikeet Identification Guide to Tasmania (A4) and an information sheet about the status of swift parrots in Wielangta is available from the Recent Photos flickr stream (right column). To download….right select the image and Save Target/Image As…

We offered a ‘New, Fresh Way of Working’.

We offered the Tasmanian Government the opportunity to use Wielangta as a way to demonstrate to the wider community, a new way of responding to contentious and historically divisive forestry issues. Wielangta can provide the opportunity for the Government to move into a new era of community engagement and transparency in forestry issues.

We asked them to:

• make an appointment with Premier David Bartlett preferably in Wielangta Forest Coupe 19D
• create a public opportunity for all scientific ‘experts’ on Wielangta Coupe 19D (departmental, forestry and independent) to establish facts
• place a moratorium on logging swift parrot breeding habitat – from Orford to Dover, from the coast to 10km inland
• delay logging and woodchipping in Wielangta until June 2010 to undertake independent surveys of endangered species habitat and studies of the forest’s potential as a carbon sink
• stop all logging in Wielangta – in line with the Federal Court decision in 2006 – with the exception of areas already in plantation.

This will ensure that endangered species habitat is protected and the mature forest retains its value as irreplaceable carbon storage.

We asked them to respond to the following questions:

• under the recently amended RFA, how does the Premier intend to ensure the protection of endangered species on land managed by Forestry Tasmania (given that the Federal Court showed that current forestry management regimes in Wielangta are further endangering species)?
• what mechanisms does the Premier have in mind to address community concerns about forestry operations in Wielangta?
• will the Premier include the economic and the environmental benefits of protecting Wielangta’s mature native forests for carbon storage as part of Tasmania’s climate change strategy?
• will the Premier meet with us in Wielangta, Coupe 19D to see why this extraordinary forest has inspired such strong community concern?

What next?
We have requested meetings with David Llewellyn – Minister for Resources and Michelle O’Bryne – Minister for Environment.

Meeting with Forestry Tasmania
Three members of Wild Wielangta, South East Forest Protection Group had a 2.5 hour meeting with the Derwent District Forest Manager and a Senior Planner, Forestry Tasmania on 6th August 2008.

Forestry Tasmania do not see any factor – endangered species or carbon storage – delaying or stopping the logging of Coupe 19D in Wielangta.
Coupe 19D is scheduled to be logged and woodchipped during the 2008/09 financial year.
Forestry Tasmania will allow members of the community to enter the exclusion zone around Coupe 19D to undertake surveys etc – we just need to gain permission.

What next?

We have requested a meeting with the Executive General Manager of Forestry Tasmania and with the Forest Practices Authority (who regulate Forestry Tasmania’s operations).