The Wilderness Society and the Tree Projects are campaigning for big tree tourism in Tasmania
Environment groups have made a pitch for Tasmania to establish a big tree tourism industry. But what does the state government make of the idea?
Environment groups have released a plan for Tasmania to create a big tree tourism industry, saying minimal investment would be needed for big economic and environmental returns.
However plan would involve reserving more forests - something the state government has no appetite for.
The Big Tree State report from the Wilderness Society and the Tree Projects proposes eight big tree Tourism visitor sites in southern Tasmania.
The report estimates the big tree destinations could draw 139,000 visitor days annually and would generate $20.2m for surrounding communities and create an estimated 163 indirect jobs.
The report says a modest $745,000 would be needed to develop the sites.
Wilderness Society spokesman Tom Allen said the locations in the Huon, Styx and Tyenna valleys have been chosen for their outstanding quality of trees, existing infrastructure such as tracks and roads, as well as proximity to local communities.
“Here are ready-made destinations including dormant tracks and signage that need restoring. In return you get visitors and tourists, thriving local communities and exciting opportunities to generate value - no forest destruction required,” said Mr Allen said.
Steve Pearce from the Tree Projects, who is campaigning for Sustainable Timber Tasmania to widen its definition of giant trees, said Tasmania was not making the most of its unique big trees.
“Big tree tourism is hugely popular in locations like California, Taiwan and New Zealand, where tourism and government work together to get people up, in and around huge trees and wonderful forests. Lutruwita/Tasmania is a global big tree destination in waiting,” Mr Pearce said.
Resources Minister Felix Ellis said the state government was a proud supporter of both the tourism and forest industries.
“World class tourism and working forests can and do successfully co-exist. Clear evidence of this is the number of iconic tourism ventures, including the Tahune Airwalk, Hollybank and Derby mountain bike trails, which are located on or adjacent to forestry land, and have been for a number of years,” Mr Ellis said.
“Established tall forest tourist sites in Tasmania include Evercreech Forest Reserve, the Tall Trees Walk at Mt Field and Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area.
“It is important to note that STT protects all giant trees on its estate through a well established Giant Tree Policy. The Government will continue to maintain a balanced approach towards the management of our public forests.”
Sustainable Timber Tasmania general manager conservation and land management Suzette Weeding said people interested in accessing public production forests for commercial or organised activities were encouraged to talk to Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
“Wherever possible, Sustainable Timber Tasmania aimed to balance the opportunity for mutually beneficial outcomes for use of public production forests across Tasmania,” she said.
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