on-Country Aboriginal collaboration
Dear ,
We’ve recently returned from another on-Country trip to the takayna coast with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (previously the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre).
This time, we took along the 7.30 Report—and a great story went to air as part of their Reconciliation Week coverage. Checkout the 7.30 coverage, a short film we’ve produced and details on how you can help.
Tasmanian Environment Minister Matthew Groom still intends to ‘refer’ his plan to expand destructive 4WD tracks on this coastline to the Commonwealth for approval. What a sad state of affairs in 21st Century Tasmania!
Meanwhile, the Government's attack on Tasmanian forests continues, with the ludicrous legislation to reverse forest reserves STILL in the Upper House. While debate has started and many Councillors have declared their intent to vote against it, the government still hasn’t brought the Bill on for the vote. That won’t happen now until 20 June at the earliest.
But the government has finalised its Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy and confirmed our worst fears. Premier Hodgman has turned his back on the ban on land clearing that even John Howard and former Premier Paul Lennon promised for 2010. Premier Hodgman has lifted a range of protections against land clearing—something that will lead to bad outcomes for species, water catchments and the climate.
For wilderness and natural and cultural values’ protection,
Vica, Liz, Ruth and Leigh
The Wilderness Society Team, Tasmania.
In the news
takayna on-Country: Hodgman’s 4WD atrocity goes national
Despite two Federal Court losses, the Hodgman Government appears determined to stoop lower again and apply to the Federal Environment Minister to expand destructive 4WD tracks across the incredibly powerful takayna Aboriginal Cultural Landscape. In Reconciliation Week, we call this action out as morally bankrupt.
A few weeks ago, The Wilderness Society and Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation again ventured to the takayna coastline to collaborate on the on-Country project. This time we were accompanied by some kids, a fantastic donor who is funding the project, and a 7.30 Report crew.
To see what we got up to and evidence of ongoing, illegal vehicle access to this coastline, check out the 7.30 report. Check out an overview, images and a six minute film on the on-Country project.
To support the project, purchase a unique piece of Aboriginal Art donated specifically to help fund this collaborative project to protect takayna and its incredible heritage.
Watch 7.30 Report
Tasmanian budget forgets parks funding and uses public money for logging PR
The Hodgman Government recently handed down its fourth budget, largely seen as a pre-election budget with plenty of reserves squirrelled away for the imminent state election.
In the lead up to the budget, The Wilderness Society joined the Community and Public Sector Union to call for additional resources for the Parks and Wildlife Service. Parks staff are having to do more with less—a totally untenable situation that risks the special values of our parks and Tasmania’s credibility as a global leader in conservation.
Unsurprisingly, Premier Hodgman funded a range of tourist infrastructure in national parks instead. While some of these are needed, the parks service really needs better baseline funding.
Meanwhile in the forestry space, despite its chaotic and unpopular forest policy and failed legislation, Mr Hodgman is splashing public money into what looks like a pre- and post-election public relations campaign, aimed at convincing Tasmanians that the government actually knows what it’s doing. What a waste!
Attend an event
Floatmo—Say no to Tassal’s East Coast expansion agenda
Have you been looking for an opportunity to stand up and actively oppose fish-farming giant Tassal’s lunatic plan to farm 800,000 fish off a pristine East Coast beach?
This is your chance. Tassal has already wrecked Macquarie Harbour; now it wants a toehold on Tasmania’s East Coast as part of an out-of-control expansion agenda that will trash our marine environment and keep treating Tasmanians with contempt.
Local group Marine Protection Tasmania are organising a flotilla to highlight the hostility to Tassal’s East Coast expansion.
When: Sunday, 18 June 2017 |12 Noon
Where: Meet off the CSIRO for a floatilla that stands up for Tassie’s East Coast.
Come in your kayak, your tinny or your cruiser. If you love Tasmania, treasure the East Coast and value our clean, cleaver brand—get on the water and join in the floatilla. If you can’t find a boat, join the shore-based support crew.
Volunteer with us
Citizen Science
Do you enjoy spending time in our magnificent forests with like-minded people and, at the same time, helping to protect and look after our special places? Why not join up and become a member of our citizen scientist team! Over the coming months, we will survey selected logging coupes that have been identified as potential Masked Owl habitat on the East and North East Coast of Tassie.
Please join us! Contact Liz Johnstone on 0448768897 or liz.johnstone @wilderness.org.au
Kitchen Table Meetings
Would you like to have a conversation with one of our campaigners and learn more about the campaigns and organising programs of the Wilderness Society? Then why not consider hosting a Kitchen Table Meeting. All you need to do is let us know you are interested, set a date, invite your friends and family to your place and put on the kettle. For more information and to book a date, contact Liz Johnstone on 0448768897 or email [email protected]
Campaign and Community Organising Weekly Meetings
If you would like to know what's going on and how to help, join us weekly for a volunteer-cooked lunch and discussion on the latest developments in our campaigns and other conservation issues in Tasmania. It's a great opportunity to get informed, connect with others and find out how you can help.
In Hobart:
WHERE: Hobart Campaign Centre, 130 Davey St, Hobart TAS 7000
WHEN: Every Wednesday, 1.00pm
In Launceston:
WHERE: Launceston Campaign Centre, 174 Charles St, Launceston TAS 7250
WHEN: Every Thursday, 5.30pm
Salamanca Market
Every Saturday, our dedicated volunteers run a Wilderness Society stall at Salamanca Market in Hobart. It’s a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about our magnificent forests, and the work of The Wilderness Society. If you would like to be part of this important (and fun!) volunteer team, please email
[email protected].
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