Swift parrot breeding ground wins logging reprieve from Sustainable Timbers Tasmania

A key breeding ground for the critically endangered swift parrot has been given a temporary reprieve from logging.

A CORE breeding area for the critically endangered swift parrot has been given a temporary reprieve from logging.

Friends of Franklin Forest is relieved at Sustainable Timbers Tasmania’s decision to remove the 15ha Franklin forest coupe from its three-year wood production plan, but spokeswoman Yanti Winoto-Lewin wants the area in the state’s South permanently protected.

“This is a great start, and shows that our community has power and is being heard,” Ms Winoto-Lewin said.

“However, it still has no permanent protection and we won’t be satisfied until it does.

“We will use this time in which the forest is not under threat to continue to raise the profile of the forest and give people a glimpse of Tasmania’s extensive and valuable threatened native forests.”

The critically endangered swift parrot.

STT regional manager for the south, Mark McKeon, said the updated three-year wood production plan for 2021-24 included a variety of newly added and previously listed coupes in the Huon Valley area but the Franklin forest coupe had been removed.

“The specific Franklin forest coupe was removed from the three-year plan to allow STT’s operational planning team time to review its options for the management of various special values contained within the coupe,” Mr McKeon said.

“It also allows its operational planning team time to consider and review any information which has been submitted about this forest coupe by stakeholders and the community as part of STT’s stakeholder engagement process.”

‘MONUMENTAL FAILURE’ IN PARROT PROTECTION

Tall timber in the Franklin forest.

Ms Winoto-Lewin said as well as being an important habitat for the swift parrot, the Franklin forest also contained large areas of leatherwood.

“There are only 300 swift parrots left and habitat destruction is a major threat to their survival.

“It also contains large areas of leatherwood which are critical to the Tasmanian beekeeping industry.”

She said hundreds of people had been involved in the campaign to protect the forest and walks with the Southern Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation had been organised to show people the importance of protecting the area.

Friends of Franklin Forest spokeswoman Yanti Winoto-Lewin

Greens safe climate spokesperson and Franklin MHA Dr Rosalie Woodruff praised Friends of Franklin Forest for being “committed and tenacious”.

“This respite from clearfell logging is a big win, although only a temporary stay, and Friends of Franklin Forest won’t rest until it is permanently protected,” Dr Woodruff said.

“We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis, and there is no place for native forest logging. Franklin Forest is a carbon-storing treasure that should be safe not just this year, but in perpetuity.”