Tasmanian Government approves logging of Endangered Species habitat
BirdLife Australia describes the revelation that the Tasmanian Government ignored the expert advice it sought regarding the logging of endangered species habitat as, “extremely concerning ”.
Dr Eric Woehler, convenor of BirdLife Australia’s Tasmania Branch, was shocked at the findings obtained by a Right to Information (RTI) request which documents the Tasmanian Environment Department’s internal advice regarding the importance of proposed logging coupes in Tasmania’s Southern Forests.
“The Department sought specialist expert advice regarding 5 proposed logging coupes within an identified Swift Parrot Important Breeding Area,” explained Dr Woehler. “The RTI reveals that the expert advice warned that logging in the 5 proposed coupes would result in the loss of critical breeding habitat and interfere with the recovery of the species”.
“Despite the advice, the Department has approved logging in 3 of the 5 coupes for which information was provided”.
“We rely on our governments to look after the interests of our threatened species,” said Dr Eric Woehler. “This information demonstrates a breach of faith with the public, who have trusted the government to protect the habitat of this iconic and endangered species”.
“BirdLife Australia has recommended an inquiry into why logging was approved for important Swift Parrot habitat despite specialist expert advice against it”, continued Dr Woehler. “We are also recommending that logging in Swift Parrot Important Breeding Areas be halted until we can be certain that important nesting and foraging habitat is protected”.
Swift Parrots nest only in Tasmania and require large old eucalypt trees for nesting and feeding. They are one of only three migratory parrots on the planet and migrate to southern Australia in the winter months.
The ongoing loss of habitat by forestry activities is documented in the National Recovery Plan for the species as the main threat to their survival.
media contacts
Dr Eric Woehler
Convenor, BirdLife Tasmania
Phone: 0438 204 565
Samantha Vine, Head of Conservation
M: 0447 484 067
E: