Some images of Bruny Island

Clear fell logging on Bruny Island? 
This blog is to tell people why there is a campaign to halt clear fell logging on Bruny Island. Clear fell logging on Bruny produces few benefits for residents, shack owners and visitors but has the potential to impact on the Island's values. The campaign is aimed at g[Photo]etting the Tasmanian Government to recognise those special values and put resources into protecting them.
Why is Bruny Island Special?

Bruny is an island of singular natural and scenic beauty and a place of international and national biological, cultural and historic significance. Dramatic coastlines, sweeping uncrowded beaches, forested hills, abundant wildlife and stunning scenery. 

The island is steeped in history and culture. It was the home of indigenous Tasmanians for over 30 000 years, a stopping place for early European exlorers - Tasman, Cook, Bligh, D'Entrecasteaux, Furneaux, Flinders and others called here. Bruny Island is the site of the first European art in Australia, the type species of Eucalyptus was collected here, and the remains of early whaling and pre-industrial logging still exist in their original setting.

What is the issue?

A State Government enterprise - Forestry Tasmania - has spent hundreds of thousand of dollars providing infrastructure to support a clear fell logging operation behind Adventure Bay. This will provide no new employment on Bruny Island. However, it may impact on its natural, historic and cultural values and adversely affect tourism.

Visitors come from interstate and overseas, as well as from other parts of Tasmania, to experience the scenery, the wildlife and the Island's history and culture. Over 100 people are employed in providing services to these visitors. The Government spends minute amounts on infrastructure for this industry or to protect the Island's values and assets. 

Many Islanders and visitors think the Government should be putting resources into protecting these special values and supporting a viable tourist industry as it does elsewhere in the State.The Government will not have a meaningful debate about the issue. Concerned residents, shack owners and visitors have put their own resources into a campaign to get a better deal for the Island.

The future

Future blogs will give more info, meanwhile you can help by writing to Premier Paul Lennon, Parliament House, Hobart, Tasmania 7000. email- paul.lennon@parliament.tas.gov.au
and Minister for Resources, David Llewellyn, email - david.llewellyn@parliament.tas.gov.au .

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