The 100ha area of native forest near Lonnavale contains a 35ha logging coupe

Locally-made signs pointing the way to the Huon Valley’s ‘Grove of Giants’ have been removed by authorities as conservationists continue to lobby for the area’s protection. Find out why >>

Huon Valley Councillor Jenny Cambers-Smith with the stump of a huge tree in a Huon Valley logging coupe near the Grove of Giants

SUSTAINABLE Timber Tasmania has removed “unauthorised’ signs to the Huon Valley’s Grove of Giants, as conservationists continue to lobby for the area’s protection.

The 100ha area of native forest near Lonnavale contains a 35ha logging coupe.

The forest has been unofficially named the Grove of Giants because it contains 150 trees of over four metres in diameter.

Huon Valley Councillor Jenny Cambers-Smith said growing awareness about the stand of big trees had led to an influx of visitors asking for directions.

Jenny Cambers-Smith. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“A community group made some really lovely signs, they were completely in keeping with the one to Lake Skinner,” Cr Cambers-Smith said.

Cr Cambers-Smith said there were unofficial signs all over the Huon showing the way to local points of interest.

“There are lots of other handmade signs marking tracks and trails and waterfalls that people have made and none of them have been taken down,” she said.

“These were clearly targeted, it’s obviously a bone of contention with them.”

Suzette Weeding, Sustainable Timber Tasmania

Sustainable Timber Tasmania general manager conservation and land management Suzette Weeding said any signage on Permanent Timber Production Zone land was required to be approved.

“Any unauthorised signage identified on Permanent Timber Production Zone land is removed until a formal agreement can be made between Sustainable Timber Tasmania and the applicable stakeholders. It is Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s understanding that this is consistent with the approaches to unauthorised signage for other Tasmanian land managers, including local councils,” Ms Weeding said.

“Signage indicating a route to the ‘Grove of Giants’ was erected on Permanent Timber Production Zone land without approval from Sustainable Timber Tasmania and was therefore removed.

“Sustainable Timber Tasmania has contacted who it understands owns the signage and has advised it is available for collection from its Geeveston office.”

The coupe in the Grove of Giants is on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s three year wood production plan, meaning it is due to be logged some time by 2025.

Ms Weeding said there were no plans to log the coupe in 2023.

“Ahead of all harvesting operations, a comprehensive detailed planning and consultation process is undertaken including the evaluation of natural and cultural values and importantly, giant trees which are managed in accordance with Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Giant Tree Policy,” she said.

The Grove of Giants in the Huon Valley

Forest ecologist Jennifer Sanger of the Tree Projects said the grove was one of the best examples of old growth forest left in Tasmania.

“It’s one of the last remaining stands of tall blue gums, blue gums being a really important food stock for swift parrots,” she said.

The Tree Projects has been lobbying Sustainable Timber Tasmania to expand its definition giant trees to include trees of 4m in diameter.