Franklin News and Views

Letter published in the Mercury on Tuesday 29 April 2008 One fine morning this April I went to Mt Field and was greeted by smoke all through the Derwent Valley from New Norfolk on, and last week I was on the West Coast and much of it was covered in thick smoke. So both these occasions what should have been a true delight of autumn was marred by the forest assassins. At the next State election I will make sure that my preferences will go no further than those who are going to work to stop this outrage.

This is the third time I have written to inform Forestry Tasmania that there was the Erica lusitanica (Spanish Heath), a declared weed under the Weed Management Act 1999, growing beside the Arve Road. On the first occasion (4/2/03) I was assured that action would be taken to remove it, but I noted it was present in greater number at the same spot (19/4/07) and on this occasion was told by phone that it was in the local council area. Last month I went past the spot and noted more precisely the location which is within 500 metres and to the west of Bennetts Road junction. Clearly this is within the Forestry Tasmania jurisdiction. I can tell you the lack of action and apparent disregard for the control of declared weeds and land management that shows such a disregard for the environment by Forestry Tasmania is very disappointing. The infestation has now spread further and I think is also now present at the junction of Arve Rd with Ledgerwood Road. I hope you will rectify this situat