Derby rallies against loggers as 31,000+ petition to be presented

Tourism operators have rallied as loggers prepare to harvest coupes near a Tasmanian town’s mountain bike trails, with a petition bearing 31,000 signatures to be presented to lawmakers

Tasmanian tourism operators have spoken out en masse in advance of logging commencing on two coupes adjoining a world-renowned mountain bike trail network in the island’s northeast, with a petition bearing more than 31,000 signatures to be presented to State Parliament.

It comes after state-owned forestry corporation, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, released a plan, the Derby Precinct Concept Plan, promising to lock away 930ha of land containing the Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails from future logging, with a 50m buffer zone established between the trails and any logging coupes.

Despite STT’s assurances, environmental group Blue Derby Wild says the promises do not go far enough, as they still leave swathes of forest, notably those adjoining the Krushka’s, Dam Busters, Atlas and Blue Tier trails vulnerable.

However, this has been rejected by the State Government, which notes timber harvesting and tourism has always been able to co-exist in a mutually beneficial manner, such as at Tahune Airwalk and Hollybank.

Tourism operators speaking out at the Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails in advance of Sustainable Timber Tasmania logging of two nearby coupes commencing. Picture: Supplied

More than 200 local and international tourism businesses have signed an open letter addressed to the State Government requesting the forests be left alone, while a petition to the Parliament of Tasmania with more than 31,000 signatures from the public will be presented on Tuesday.

Blue Derby Wild spokeswoman Louise Morris said there had been an “unprecedented” groundswell of support behind the campaign.

“Businesses across our island state, and globally, (have noted) that our Gondwana forests are worth more standing,” she said.

“From global giants like Paddy Pallin and Patagonia to The Tasmanian Walking Company, Franklin River Rafting and numerous businesses here in Derby we are all united in understanding our forests are our biggest eco-tourism drawcard.”

Brendon Jones of Blue Derby Pods Ride, Damien Neilson of Derby Bike Shop, and Jules Seymour of Pinned Property Management speaking against logging coupes near Blue Derby. Picture: Supplied

Among those to speak out included Damien Neilson, owner of the Derby Bike Shop.

“We hear on a daily basis from our customers the beauty that Derby is, with its lush wet forests, the amazing views they get on the trails and how diverse the area is,” he said.

“To then tell them that these areas are about to be logged they are shocked and stunned that in this day the government would agree to this.”

Another who leant their weight to the campaign was Dr Andrew Wallis, owner of The Keep luxury accommodation, located near the Blue Tier trail.

“Logging our Gondwana native forests is not sustainable, is not environmentally sound and is just not acceptable here or anywhere else,” he said.

Ms Morris has previously argued the Derby Precinct Concept Plan is a fig-leaf, as the 930ha set aside is low value land to STT, as the trails criss-cross in such a way that logging dozers would struggle to access that part of the forest.

The campaign comes as two nearby coupes, known as CC105A and CC119A, fall to be logged this month.

The harvest will involve partial harvesting – i.e. no clear-felling – regeneration with native seed, and a certified Forest Practices Plan, regulated by the Forest Practices Authority, according to a recent STT newsletter.

A government spokeswoman said world class tourism and sustainable forestry can and do successfully co-exist.

"Clear evidence of this is the number of iconic tourism ventures, including the Tahune Airwalk, Hollybank and Derby, which are located on or adjacent to forestry land, and have been for a number of years," she said

“The harvesting of coupes in the Derby region is an operational matter for STT, who have worked collaboratively with key stakeholders and the community on this matter.

“Importantly, the Derby mountain bike trail network is entirely outside of the proposed harvest area.

“As a result of collaboration between STT, the Council, community and tourism operators, modifications to the proposed harvest have been made including increased buffer zones. No clearfelling will occur."

She said that in line with standard practice, the coupes would be regenerated to native forest.

Originally published as Derby rallies against loggers as 31,000+ petition to be presented