Resources Minister Paul Harriss has refused to stop Forestry Tasmania from clear felling a regrowth coupe at Lapoinya in the state’s north west. Source: ABC News
The Forests of Lapoinya Action Group claimed logging the coupe would adversely affect endangered animals in the area.
Members of the group met Mr Harriss in Hobart to ask him to remove the coupe from Forestry Tasmania’s current harvesting schedule.
Within hours of the meeting Mr Harriss wrote to the group telling them he could not agree to their request.
A spokesman from the Minister said the coupe would remain in the harvesting schedule.
“It was made clear that this coupe was set aside by Parliament, with the support of all three political parties and the Legislative Council, as part of the Permanent Timber Production Zone,” he said.
“The coupe is regrowth forest and is required to meet the legislated wood supply allocation laid down by Parliament.”
Action group spokesman Stewart Hoyt was dismayed.
“It’s not a case of being disappointed, it’s actually quite devastating,” he said. “The only thing I’m going to congratulate the Minister on is his speed of response. It was breathtaking.”
Mr Hoyt said the action group would keep fighting to protect the coupe.
“Well, we’re going to have to alert people that this is silly business,” he said. “As a community, the wider community, that’s the north west, are you really for logging this coupe?
“And he [Mr Harriss] is going to get the response.”
