Reserves in the north of the island are under threat from logging. 40,000ha have been earmarked for destruction, including landscapes at Ben Lomond, Mt Arthur, Mt Barrow, Mt Victoria, Mt Saddleback, Fingal Tier, Mt Maurice, The Towers, Leven Canyon, Mathinna Plains, Evercreech, and Shakespeare Hills. Come along to St Ailbies Hall at 6pm on Tuesday 15 July, to hear from campaigners, locals, and experts on what is at risk and how to take action.

—- 

Background information: 

Back in December 2024, we obtained documents through a ‘Right to Information’ (RTI) request by Birdlife Australia, revealing that in 2022 the Tasmanian Government and Forestry Tasmania began secretly collaborating on the transfer of reserved forests to the 'permanent timber production zone' (PTPZ). 

During the 2024 State Election, this collaboration was eluded to through the Liberals promise to ‘unlock the woodbank’, and give 40,000ha of native forests to the logging industry.

These newly threatened native forests were promised protection in 2012 through the ‘Tasmanian Forest Agreement’, where the logging industry was paid hundreds of millions $$$ by the taxpayer to not log them. Yet in 2014, the newly elected Liberals rebranded these forests as ‘Future Potential Production Forest’ (FPPF).

December’s ‘Right to Information’ document revealed that Forestry Tasmania is demanding 40,000ha of forest in 27 ‘lots’. Our analysis has revealed these forests are located at Ben Lomond, Mount Arthur, Mount Barrow, Fingal Tier, Leven Canyon, Mathinna Plains, Mount Saddleback, Pyengana, Mt Victoria, Evercreech, Mount Victoria, Panama, The Towers, Carneys Creek, Shakespear Hills, and Mount Maurice. The full interactive map is available here.. 

In March we received another ‘Right to Information' document via the Tasmanian Greens, which showed the Government is prioritising 5 lots for immediate release at Ben Lomond, Mt Arthur, and Mt Barrow. ABC covered this at the time - read here. 

The Campaign 

The Wilderness Society Tasmania has been working tirelessly alongside locals and allies to reveal the locations of threatened reserves, document them for ecological and social values, and notify and activate communities to protect these forests. 

After revealing the locations, we set out on scouting and surveying missions, visiting sites across the north east. We then held community meetings at Blessington, St Marys, and Lilydale which were attended by hundreds of community members. 

We have also been working to get people into forests, launching an Inaturalist project and hosting a ‘Forest Open Day’ among giant White Gums and Gondwanan rainforest at Evercreech. 

Locals are now organising independently, getting in the forests, contacting decision makers, recording values, and escalating the case for permanent protection. 

Launceston Forum

We know these forests are important to the people of Launceston. Mt Arthur, Mt Barrow and Ben Lomond form the backdrop of the city, while the South Esk, North Esk, and St Patricks River provide Launcestons drinking water. 

These forests also make up a number of popular recreational areas for hikers, climbers, and other outdoor activities. Hikes at Ben Lomond, Mt Saddleback, Mt Arthur, Mt Victoria, Panama and more are encapsulated by threatened reserves. Further, climbing locations at Ben Lomond, Bare Rock, and the Towers will be affected. 

These forests also hold significant ecological values - 88% are primary forests over 80 years old, there are countless threatened species, and many of these areas are the last standing of their type in the region. These forests are of global significance. 

Finally, and most importantly, these landscapes are the homelands for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. There are countless recorded aboriginal heritage sites and large intact cultural landscapes. As said by Uncle Jim Everett - Puralia Meenamatta “The Aboriginal heritage is the forests”. 

Speakers to be announced in the coming weeks. This is not one to miss - join us in Launny!