Weld Valley, Southern Tasmania

[Weld Valley Community Picket] [Weld Trout Fishery Endangered]

On the 12th of march 2002, after lengthy debate, the Huon Valley Council, Southern Tasmania,  passed a motion, initiated by Greens Councillor Paul Thomas, to halt the widespread clearance of the remaining old growth forest estate in the municipality.

The motion

"That Huon Valley Council calls on the State and Federal Governments to legislate to end the clearfelling of the old growth forest estate in the Huon Valley municipality, in particular the Weld, Picton and Huon Valleys"

was agreed to by the narrow margin 5/4 - the same margin that, in December, gave the go ahead for Forestry Tasmania's Southwood proposal.

"This decision by Council" acknowledges the growing realisation by the Tasmanian community that the massive onslaught of forest depletion cannot continue at the present rate Cr. Thomas said. " The Weld River protest by local community groups is all part of this growing concern.  The much reported 'Tasmania Together' consultation, and a lesser reported independent assessment by pollster Richard Herr in September last year, indicate over 70% of the Tasmanian community support an end to old growth logging," he said.

As Council reviews its Strategic Plan and Planning Scheme over the next few months, it will have to consider last night's decision and develop policy accordingly" Cr. Thomas added.

Fellow Green Councillor Mary O'Doherty who seconded the motion said "Council's decision lays the foundations for a forest led State Election campaign due sometime this year and will also need to be acknowledged by the 5 year review of Tasmania's Regional Forest Agreement also due this year".

Councillors supporting Cr Thomas were O'Doherty, Coad, Harvey-Latham and McKibben.

Those voting against included Armstrong, Dillon, Heron and Wilson.

Weld River Valley, Southern Tasmania, is under threat of clearfelling,  endangering one of the finest trout fisheries in the State. The following is from Hansard (Tasmanian House of Assembley Thursday 14th March 2002.)

Ms PUTT(Question) - My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment in his capacity as minister for Inland Fisheries.  Are you aware of the main feature article in the December/January Tasmanian Fishing News on the Huon River's super-tributaries which says of the Weld River:

'Perhaps one of the better fast water fisheries in the State, the Weld is set in tranquil wet sclerophyll forest ... and is unique in that wild rainbows dominate it.'

The article goes on to talk about the superb fishing in that area with the lovely forested aspect.  Have the impacts of roading, clear-fell logging and bridge-building for the woodchip highway through the Weld been assessed for impact on this highly-regarded trout fishery, and if not, why not?

Mr LLEWELLYN- Mr Speaker, I did see the article that the member mentions and I would remind her that there are within the Forest Practices Code a whole series of prescriptions that are designed to prevent pollution or a lack of quality -

Ms Putt- You'd better have a look at the bridge site - it's bulldozed right down to the river on both sides.

Mr LLEWELLYN- in the riparian area.  Those Forest Practices Code provisions are being upheld in regard to forest operations in that area, but to get to the question asked by the member with regard to Inland Fisheries investigations in the area, I cannot give her a specific answer to that but I do know that Inland Fisheries scientists have responsibility for providing information on all the rivers in the State from the point of view of maintaining, preserving and assessing the likely impact of any development on marine ecosystems and so on, along with officers from the other part of my department who deal with water matters.

So there are two groups of scientists, one more involved with native fish species and so on.  Inland Fisheries have the role and responsibility of looking at those issues and others within my department look after the other quality aspects of water services.

Ms Putt- But have they been asked specifically to address the impacts on the Weld?

Mr LLEWELLYN- I would be confident that those procedures have been taken care of.

Ms Putt- Funny that the fishermen aren't.