Heritage Values Protected

Forestry Tasmania has rejected claims that a planned harvesting operation in the Meander Valley region will jeopardise a century old sawmill site.

General Manager Corporate Relations Ken Jeffreys said a steam driven hauler was one of several items loggers left behind when they abandoned the Upper Liffey Sawmill and Tramway in the early 1900's.

"The existence of this old sawmill, which has now been reclaimed by forest, is stark evidence of the sustainability of forestry. This area is now ready for harvesting again.

"Consistent with a world class forest management system, the old sawmill relics will be protected under the Forest Practices Plan.

"The Upper Liffey sawmill site and surrounding areas are excluded from harvesting, with buffers in place.

"The original road that extends from the private property blocks to the sawmill has been designated a machinery exclusion zone and movement in the area is highly restricted.

"Similarly, a number of indigenous rock shelters have also been identified in and around the coupe and these will be excluded from harvesting. In fact, these sites must be left undisturbed and no artefacts can be removed.

"Harvesting operations will be closely monitored by FT, and the FPP makes provision for the event that additional features are located, that they will be reported and managed. FT provides clear and thorough communications with its contractors on the management of heritage sites within a harvesting area."

Mr Jeffreys said Forestry Tasmania had done everything possible to allay the concerns of neighbour John Powell.

"Our staff have been patiently dealing with Mr Powell's concerns for 12 months. We have released a thick file of correspondence with Mr Powell under Right to Information ( http://www.forestrytas.com.au/right-to-information/release-of-information/7-lists-and-registers) and those documents show the extraordinary lengths FT was prepared to go to in order to satisfy Mr Powell's concerns.

"With the prescriptions we have put in place, we are confident the Aboriginal and European heritage found near the site will still be there long after the forest has regrown yet again."

Mr Jeffreys said Mr Powell had also raised concerns regarding access to his property across State forest, which could easily be resolved.

"As stated in the letter from FT addressed to Mr Powell on 22 November 2011, Mountain Road was designated as a forest road located on State forest in 1991. FT has not removed Mr Powell's access rights to his property nor is FT denying him access.
"FT is offering Mr Powell a way to legitimise his access across State forest, through a legal mechanism. It is quite common for landowners to have their rights acknowledged by acquiring easements on State forest for access to private property.

The coupe will undergo selective harvesting, not clearfelled as asserted by Mr Powell.

The RTI 11-20 can be found at: http://www.forestrytas.com.au/right-to-information/release-of-information/7-lists-and-registers
 

ENDS

6 December 2011