FEEDBACK AND STORIES OF TASMANIAN EVENTS
THAT VISITORS SHARE FROM A VISIT TO TASMANIA
OR A VISIT TO DISCOVER TASMANIA
By reason of the reported oppression and payback activities undertaken by the Tasmanian Government in THE BULLETIN magazine's THE RAPE OF TASMANIA December 2003 edition, and further reports of forestry opponents being transferred from their areas of expertise, having their private businesses burnt down, their medical records discussed in parliament and their animals poisoned, and now death threats as reported in the ABC 4 Corners program THE LORDS OF THE FORESTS (see transcript), you will realise why only first names of contributors are published in this feedback unless the full name has been specifically authorised for publishing.

Touring Tasmania
Dean from South Australia has recently returned home from holidaying in Tasmania in March 2005. He visited many places while touring Tasmania including Mt. Bertha, Bronte, Derwent Bridge and the Tarkine. He has kindly sent some of his holiday snaps to News Tasmania for all to share.
TO THE TOURING TASMANIA SLIDE SHOW
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From Anne April 13, 2005
I was absolutely mortified, appalled, viewing the pictures of torn down and burned trees; the body of the animal (a wild pig?) telling its own little story. What on earth is going on? I had (perhaps naively) assumed that Tasmania/Australia are within the belt of 'civilisation' - obviously I am wrong in this thought. I suppose it goes hand in hand with the 'civilised' practice of Roo hunting, and seeing how many Koalas can be squished in a night's driving? Who cares if the world ends. At least then all the suffering will end.
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From Frank April 8, 2005
Tree laden Log Trucks are an obvious menace to the safety of users of Tasmanian roadways. The sheer number of these trucks as evidenced on this website proves that through law of averages the possibility for regular life threatening accidents is high. Far higher than what it should be for a a State and Country that prides itself on being sooooo "Good" and "Modern".
My story relates to an incident whereby on the busy Easter roads a log truck going to Triabunna was speeding at 120km's consistently in wet conditions and on sections going up hills was not allowing cars to go past. Also once this particular truck driver overcame the hill he immediately accelerated to ridiculously dangerous and illegal speeds and in wet conditions !!
This made me extremely angry, upset and bewildered at this individuals selfish ignorant and disgustingly dangerous behavior. It was not nothing but outrageous !!! This incident has finally prompted me to get involved with further action to make people like this responsible for their disgusting behavior and the "Corporations" they work for to be legally accountable and seriously reprimanded !!! It should not be tolerated for one instance !! I blame the average Australian for this occurrence and all other occurrences like this for occurring !! Wake up Australia and vote for the future not your selfish monetary short term gains !!! The average Australian voter should hang their heads in shame , stop watching reality TV and wake up to their REAL REALITY, OPEN YOUR EYES AVERAGE AUSSIE !!!!! Time has almost expired ...... 		From Sarah April 8, 2005
Over 26 million animals have been cruelly poisoned by the Tasmanian Governments over the last 50 years. 500,000 permits have been signed by Parks and Wildlife, who are the protectors of our native animals. Predator animals have been affected as 1080 kills all marsupials, and introduced animals such as rabbits.
Tasmanian Devils feed on dead animal so the poisoned animals that were not collected, probably about 75% or more have been the diet of 1080 poison. This is like having a small amount of arsenic over a long period of time. Although the 1080 causes a diabetes attack breaking down the liver function and causing blindness. I know, as two of my pets died of this and only liked the mouth of the dead wallaby as they were not killers. Their deaths were tragic stories in themselves and the vet costs were horrendous. My daughter suffered so much she could not go to school anymore from the harassment we got from the local community. I need film and stories about this for my MFAD at Uni this year. Can you help? Meet on the road for a cup of tea and stop the trucks, take the kitchen out and lounge chairs and make tea for the loggers. Make a stand. Are we a factory for Japan's news papers? How many more animals are loosing there homes? How many birds are starving this year? What has happened !
to Australia the land of the free? Why is there a wattle tree, kangaroo and emu on the Australian Commonwealth emblem. What is happening to Gondwana, our imprint of all life. More sacred than the bible or John Howard. What is money? It can't compete with the wonder of life, the forest and the small dwellers that belong there. Thanks for the chance to have my say. Do you want to do a significant stand. Contact me.
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From Virginia March 30, 2005
I have never visited Tasmania except online. It has long been a dream of mine to vacation there. I was horrified at the photos of forest destruction. If the people do not unite and stop it now, your forests will be gone forever. I'm from the southern part of the US. It has happened here and much of our once pristine rivers, swamps and forest are gone. Once powerful companies take control, you will probably never regain the rights to your beautiful natural resources.
Thank you, Virginia
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Events Tasmania

Events Tasmania
Emily's story, a visit in North East Tasmania.
September 2003
This young lady standing under the "Arch Myrtle" is Emily, from Colorado Springs in the US, visiting Tasmania (for 8 almost weeks) together with Mum Sylvia and brother Kevin accompanied by grandma Elisabeth and Cousin Holger.

We visited Tasmania's North East, and spend some time on Weld Hill.

The rich natural forest was just fantastic, the tall Tree Ferns and the huge Myrtle (called Holger's Myrtle is 12 metres around the trunk) on the Western side of Weld Hill (now within a planned logging coupe!), the Arch Myrtle, the giant Providence Tree, the Twin Towers, the thick, soft mosses, just all these wild, forms of nature.... Just uniquely wild Tasmania!

But then, just on the other side of the Mountain, (on the North and Eastern side), shock horror, total destruction, total holocaust, a total war zone...

Yes, and as we walk along the edge on a narrow vehicle track, around this huge clearfell area, we found these blue carrots chips, every 10 metres apart ... this is really true, it made the whole family very sad as this was the poison [1080] to kill the native animals.

The day in Nature was ruined, we where all shocked, how can Tasmanians allow this to happen ??

Can these greedy people that organise this murder sleep at night?

How can they look in the eyes of their children and grand children? What a job!

Tasmania the natural state, Tasmania the clean, the pure, the clever state?

People of Tasmania, please stop this terrible injustice against nature!

Emily's friends in Colorado Springs simply can't believe the terrible truth of destruction in Tasmania, the terrible clerfelling and poisoning behind screens and cover strips along the highways and tourist roads.
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TO - Emily's letter to the Prime Minister
"...... I am only a young person, but hopefully, through this letter, you have felt how I and many others feel and especially express our feelings to you about this inhumane, savage, and violent act."
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Events Tasmania
Frank's story at Weld Hill
What you don't see in the glossy Tourism Tasmania brochures......
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From John

This sucks gunns sucks im joining the wilderness society but we need more public awareness.ive been to tassie live there for 3 years love the place just bought another house there after 8 years away but still reside in nsw.but awareness campains would help stop this rediculous destruction regards john		 From Christine

How can you describe in words what is happening to the forest in Tasmania, only the tears in your eyes can only express the feelings in your heart. This must be stopped for the protection of this planet.
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From Dean

I live in sth australia and our goverment doe's not allow any logging, because we have no trees left.We here in sth australia don't have to worry about drinking poisoned water from rivers because most of them have been dammed,So we virtually have none left. We have plenty of salinity,barren hills,extinct animals,endangered animals,dying trees.Your goverment is doing a great job on allowing legal vandalism,pollution,endangering numerous flora and fauna.Give it a couple of more years and you will be like us lucky mainlanders and have a state in disrepair,poor water quality,salinity,extinct flora and fauna.Every time I visit tasmania I feel helpless and very pissed of on the allowance of enviromental vandalism by the goverment.I now video and take photo's and tell/show people your web site of the destruction going on.You're web site is excellent in showing people the TRUTH,even though it makes me very angry .How can I help more ? I donate $ 200 per month to the wilderness society.I am going over to tas in june to offer premier Bacon a selection of some fine tasmanian water collected from near by coups.		 From Graham

As sad as these pictures and news stories are, it appears they not agitating the Tasmanian public into any real action. Yet it remains to be seen if it does become an election issue that makes a difference. I believe that the argument should be based more on irrefutable facts on the actual numbers of people employed in the "Timber" industry, not Mr. Gay's 10,000.
How many jobs have been lost due to "efficiencies" and increased woodchipping rather than harvesting of timber for downstream processing. Get some real life stories of how the log tuck sub contractors are forced by the economics into buying B-Double trucks worth I am told over a 1/2 million dollars then need to work 24/7 to pay them off.
Let's get scientific evidence that Forestry Tasmania is breaching the environmental guidelines. Get some dirt on that "smart arsed" head of Forestry Tasmania, the fellow who wears designer clothes and collarless shirts! He must be on the make!
Get the actual figures on the returns of woodchips to the State (us) The conversion of assets belonging to the commons into private ownership. The cost of the provision of infrastructure to permit Gunns to profit from what economically cannot stand scruitiny. On an actual cost basis woodchips are a loss turned into profit at the expense of the Taxpayer.
What happened to the upteen small wood mills harvesting timber for construction and value adding purposes?
There has to be a way besides showing the destruction. I think people are immune to it and have lesser agendas to worry about. If it can be shown that this woodchipping is hurting them in their pockets people sit up and take notice.
We are preaching too often to the "converted" It is the "great unwashed" you want to convince. Show them that woodchipping leaves less money for them to spend on their diversions.
Best of luck
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From Paul
December 17, 2004
This is very sad indeed.
Why are humans so selfish???
Cant we leave something for others to enjoy		 From Martin Emily Marie Kelly Krenn
February 25, 2005
We are shocked to see such destruction!!!!!
how can anyone in this world do this to our planet!
We are given this planet to live in and not to destroy it.
If you want pine, we got it, get it!
Greetings from Austria! (Not Australia)
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From Megan
March 24, 2005
Emily is my best friend and what she says about this place is true and I will stand by her for this whole ordeal! Save old growth forests! and GO EMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!		 From Sunny
March 8, 2005
This is just so sad and criminal, I can not believe the people of Tasmania and the Government is allowing this area and other areas of Tasmania to be completley destroyed.In the words of the old cheif , "we do not own the land to buy and sell- we belong to the land and the land to us. We are all connected, and by destroying this are area wonder, we are in turn destroying ourselves". Can you not see that this does not even benefit Tasmanians- they are a few sick mindless men reaping the so called financial returns on this- the money is not going to schools, roads or anything of such nature- and even if it was, it still would not be worth what these forests stand for. WAKE up TASMANIANS and do something about this before it is all too late.
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From Dave

I come to your awesome state with my family after spending the last 35 years of my life in the empty vortex of Sydney, chasing the elusive dollar and trying to lead a “normal” life.

Just when things were so low, we come here and rediscover our long lost Australian culture, one I was sure was gone forever and one I was sure our children would never see.

I know how our true natives feel.

When I first flew over Tasmania, last May, my jaw hit the floor. “Where is the bush?”, I said to my son and father. “What is going on here?”.

Little did I know what really goes on down here. I forget how I came across your site, but bless me, I did!

( not religious or tied to any political party).

I am passing out your postcards and helping where I can in my own small way.		 WAKE UP FORESTRY! - From Erika... to the full story

.... What I have witnessed at places like Weld Hill, is that destruction of high conservation native forests coincides with the "Green image" marketing of Plantation Prospectuses to investors, which represent next year's clearfelling of native forests. This year's Tax Deduction is next season's clearfall. Time is running out fast for the Island State as its population and culture is dispossessed from the clean air, water and land and is threatened by fire from plantations. We are mapping the effects of forestry within both community and corporate risk perspectives and looking at ways to eliminate or reduce the hazards. We want to map the common ground - where timber interests and community interests are one and the same.

The discovery of the giant trees on Weld Hill precipitated my personal watershed. Ever since local resident Lesley Nicklason and I discovered the Lost Weld 17 trees that day in December 2001, in a coupe due for clearfelling two months later. Since then other ancient treasures such as Holger‚s Myrtle, the Arch Myrtle, The Twins have been found and mapped, and we find something special every time we revisit.

What I discovered here was not just that the area would be clearfelled, burned, herbicided and 1080'd - the biggest crime as I discovered, was that the Providence and Posterity Trees, (aged 500 years plus - 16.8 metres circumference @ my shoulder height) would be filled with explosives, blown apart and burned. These trees are worth more standing than felled and wasted. All this destruction - for what? To clear the ground to create a seedbed for tax effective forestry investment. This is the bottom line.... to the full story
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Giant Tree Fern Weld Hill
From Ronnie ( Big Tree Hunter) Texas, USA

While Big Tree Hunting @ Weld Hill with Ian from Tasmania in Feb 2003 we discover the biggest Dickersonian Antarctica known in Tasmania. The Tree Fern is 12m tall by our best measurement. Also in the same area there are several Giant Trees in the 13-14m girth range, plus many more tall ferns.

The area is located in a proposed cable logging coupe!!

TO LARGER PICTURE & A GIANT TREE
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From Simon

Brilliant site - the fact that the pollies are reacting means that your message is obviously working. Keep up the good work!

As visitors to the wilderness areas on a number of occasions for my holidays, my family has added tens of thousands of dollars to the Tassie economy. Not any more!

Until the government stops these absurd practices, I won't be coming back!
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From Michael

Thank god somebody has the balls to make a public stand against the disgusting filth that is the Tasmanian forestry industry.

That these people can quite happily destroy Australia's heritage and proclaim "there are too many protected species" for the sake of a buck sickens me to the point of physical illness.

Are people generally this insane in Tasmania?

Or is the club excusively populated by your politicians and .......... at the helm of their dunderfuck posse?

From Christy

At last an uncensord platform to tell it how it is. no govt BS no company spin and no spineless bum kissin newspaper editorials to keep the mass subdued.. congrats..etc. lets have plenty more please!
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Quick comment from Chris an organic farmer

When we moved to Tasmania 16-months ago, we had no idea of the true extent of environmental destruction that was happening in this State. We are glad to have learnt the truth, and remain incensed as to what has been going on in this falsely-promoted 'clean and green' State, as we deeply love Tasmania and its people.
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From Teresa

I think you are fantastic! The amazing amount of research and effort that has gone into this website is nothing short of astounding.

I'd be more than happy to write up your submission for the 2004 State/National Tourism Awards - there's a few categories that we could get you into and I'm sure that the Tasmanian Government would want to reward "truth and authenticty in tourism marketing"!! Wouldn't they? :-)

Keep up the good work and thank you on behalf of our beautiful environment and the wise people who care.
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From Jen

While looking for Tassie Forest Sites to pass on to a travelling overseas friend....he wanted info all about tassie, as he plans to visit there soon......After having trouble finding websites on the real Tasmania (none of this happy families/coverup shit), I somehow stumbled upon this very site! A big congratulations is in order.....Thank you for exposing the real Tassie, Here On the Gold Coast, everyone is so ignorant as to what really goes on, despite my efforts to re-educate them! I was born and lived in Tassie for the first 15 years of my life, The forestry industry was all we were brought up to know.....at the time, we think its big and great and wonderful for our state, but it's not until you leave, that you realise what actually is real, and what are lies! God Bless Your site, and might i say, i' will be reccomending this one to everyone i know! Thank you!		 From Colm

I am a student in ireland studying forest management in ireland and recently wanted to go to your country to find work experience but was appaled at what i found on your websites, i thought tasmania was a first world country. Why cut down millions of trees needlessly when the world is in such a state as it is today? i dont mean to be rude but it is stupit. these forests have seen more of this world than any of us could hope to dream, there are many thousands of types of living to be made from treess, and forests rather than having a simple student from as far away as the other side of the world tell you how blind ye are. we have a famous comedian here in ireland Tommy Tiernan and i quote from him quite simply 'the world is f**ked', because it is. im not sure what the weather is like in taz at the mo but take a look around-the tsunamis recently, i dont need to continue. Please, just take a little time to consider the life you are killing, perhaps a cure to aids, cancer, are ye so blind, i am not a tree lover or hugger but i do know that for a first world country with some of the most remarkable forests in the world, ye are acting much the same as the stupid loggers of the amazon jungle. If its for the money well think about what your money will buy in 20 years time when there are tsunamis worldwide, hurricanes of immense strength, storms, droughts, the list goes on. Please cop on, colm
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Events Tasmania
Clearfelled timber for burning.
The images are no substitute for actually seeing it!!

Gordon's story of moving to Tasmania.

I am originally from Portsmouth, UK. My family and I moved to Tasmania in 1989 because real estate was cheap and the place appeared to have lots of potential. We opened up a waterfront tourism accommodation business at Orford in 1993 which included building Tasmania's first RACT 5 star holiday unit in 1995.

We soon learned that the Tasmanian Government's tourism department marketed Tasmania for the main players only and the little guy did not get a share of that pie unless some serious sucking up was performed. Accordingly, in 6 years of operation we received zero reservations or editorial from the Government's booking services despite offering 5 star waterfront value at a 3 star price.

The only problem with our location was that we were on a log truck route feeding the local woodchip mill at Triabunna. However according to the Robin Gray Government when we moved here, this was only a short term industry "to clean up the forest floor".

How stupid we were to believe that and base our future on it, not only did the log trucks problem get worse but a meat head component of drivers refused to turn off their noisy engine brakes while travelling through town.

Continual customer complaints of log truck noise and driving horror stories while encountering log trucks caused me to complain to the authorities and the woodchip mill.

The only result of that was bogus and abusive phone calls between 2am and 5am every morning which resulted in having to disconnect the phone on going to bed every night.

Our dream of a world class tourism business vanished. The Tasmanian Government didn't give a damn, it was too interested in messing with woodchips.

After selling up in a depressed market (which we found to be the normal market for Tasmania unless there is some rare mainland driven excitement), I looked deeper into the woodchip industry.

What I have found is an unbelievable amount of greed, stupidity and corruption that ranges from the previously mentioned meat head mentality (if it moves shoot it, if it doesn't chop it down), to those at the top who profit from clearfelling and burning Tasmania's forests whilst poisoning its native wildlife in a Business Tasmania Land Grab for conversion to pulpwood (woodchip) plantations.

Tasmania's main asset, its natural old growth and native forests are being vandalised for the benefit of a powerful few of the old boys club, the cronies and those who prostitute themselves to give credibility to such practices that underpin the human and economic depression that this State suffers unlike the spin of endless good news stories that the Goverment would have us believe.

These are the people that I describe as the Minority Culture in my website, www.Discover-Tasmania.com - Discover Tasmania with Gordon Craven
SEE
MEDIA RELEASE 3 OCTOBER 2003
to view the insults from politicians under protection of parliament, that one has to bear when exposing the truth in Tasmania.
AND COMMENT FROM
The Honourable BRETT WHITELEY Liberal MHA Tasmanian Parliament (Shadow Minister for Police), in regards to an attempt to gag and interfere with the freedom of speech and legal rights of the publisher of this website and Discover-Tasmania.com.au
"I direct your attention to section 70 of the Criminal Code which warns against hindering a member of parliament from doing his / her job. I think jail sentences apply."
Events Tasmania
Events Tasmania
Valuable burl for burning.
The images are no substitute for actually seeing it!!
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From Kath

We visited Tasmania in November 2003. It was a great experience and one we hope to repeat in the near future.

We want to see old growth forests.

We want to take the walks, we don't want to see logging trucks thundering down the highways and roads.

We saw the corridors of natural growth forest--the government can't fool the tourist for long, they know what is on the other side.

We saw the reality of trapping wildlife on islands--formed because of the logging. Narawantapu National Park as your prime example. The wildlife is trapped and will eventually die out without any new grazing areas or new blood.

So what is it going to be Tasmania--your tourist or logging?
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From Denise

I am a member of the Cobaw & Wombat Forest Action Group. We were involved in fighting the introduction of an RFA in the Central Victorian Midlands.

Now the DSE is clearfelling the Wombat Forest & have been undergoing a process of Community Forest Management for the past year. It is all a smokescreen to keep the community busy while they plan their next logging operation.

Your website is brilliant. Educating the general community is a problem with all the propaganda going out from the Government. But your photos, particularly those of log truck accidents, speak more than a thousand words. Great work! Keep it up!		 From Horrified

I have been meaning to thank you for all you have done for Tasmania through your web site! I was one of the people that stayed at your Orford cottages years ago and told your wife very apologetically that I could not recommend your lovely cottages to anyone else because of the log trucks, which both we and our overseas friends found HORRIFIC! of course. I was astounded and thrilled to see that it was you who created this now familiar web site. Well I have directed many people to your web site. Passed the cottages the other day and felt sick again at the site of the trucks - year after year. When will it end. ? Am going to the Styx protest march on Sunday. Thank you again for daring to do what you did! Wish more would.
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From Michael

Log trucks are not all...

A few years ago, while I was doing catchment research on the west coast. I drove a government vehicle to the top of a hill that was being cable-logged, to take some photographs of the denuded steep slope with erodible soils. At the time a contractor was operating a log-mover - a type of arm excavator fitted with pincer jaws for grabbing and lifting large logs - who took offence at my presence and proceeded towards my vehicle apace (no, there were no logs to move near me) and aimed the jaws at the vehicle I was in.

My quick realisation of what was looming and fast action resulted in a narrow escape down the road. I doubt the government vehicle nor I would have survived the encounter in this remote location, behind locked gates and out of 2-way radio of phone range. 		From Ben

The December 2000 edition of the US National Geographic magazine has a news article on buy-back and reservation of old-growth redwoods in northern California. It reports that the US and Californian governments got together "half a billion" dollars US to buy back about 7500 acres of old-growth forest owned by a logging company. That translates to about $900 million Australian dollars for some 3500 hectares. That's close to $A300,000 per hectare!

A government's monetary value of a reserved old-growth tree of any kind should be based on its tourism potential. How then is it that American governments are prepared to pay nearly $300,000 per hectare to reserve tall trees while the Tasmanian and Australian governments are effectively subsidising the destruction of trees of equal beauty and tourist potential?
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From Evan Hunter

Edge of Tarkine, Dip Falls area, August? 2003.

Duncan Mills, my girlfriend Claire and I were taking a trip up to Dip Falls for an open day and got took a wrong turn... what we stumbled across was shocking. Pure rainforest coupe after pure rainforest coupe, some with the nitens already growing, with patches of very old obliqua occasionally. At one coupe which was pretty fresh (not burnt anyway), we came across two old men with their ute parked on the narrow road, cutting up a solid myrtle log of the deepest red I had ever seen. We said our hello's and continued further on... we came aross a spur road which had been pushed in recently through the rainforest (absolutely pure, no eucalypt at all) on to the top of a little rise. I doubt very much that it still stands, logging was quite obviously imminent and it was an entirely horrible feeling.

Your site is great.. I hope the defamation stuff works out.		 From "how rude"

You lot are dickheads and don't live here so you don't understand the situation. Your listening to a small number of people who don't represent the opinion of the majority of the people. Piss off and get a life.
Regards,
Shaun Fish
Asset Planning Officer at Aurora Energy Pty Ltd.
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From a visitor to Green Valley

There's more sunshine if you cut all the trees down.

Perhaps this would be a good place for a woodchip plantation.

But it doesn't seem to get much rain, gosh golly, I wonder why?
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  From Germany - Call for fish probe (scroll down for article in English).

.....the [Tasmanien] Department of State Development should do a supply chain analysis to identify why many tourists, who expected the island to be a seafood paradise, left the state disappointed. "Tasmania is known interstate as the home of gourmet seafood, but the locals don't get it, and the tourists who come here don't get it, MORE..... (scroll down for article in English).
   
   

In Tasmania we have it all plus more...
Clearfelling, Burning, Poisoning, Destruction   |   Log Trucks   |   Blowing our Future   |  Ridicule 
   Pillage    |  Obscenity   |  Controversy   |  Civil Action   |  Incompatible Industries   
Smoke & Fire   |  Tasmanian Fire Festival   |  Tasmanian Timber Festival
More Log Truck Stories

See the Woodchip Counter at Forestry Tasmania

DOMAINS THAT ARE ALSO DISCOVERING TASMANIA
BusinessTasmania.com   |   DirectoryTasmania.com
TasmanianDirectory.com   |   DiscoverTasmania.au.com
Discover-Tasmania.com.au   |   Discover-Tasmania.com
My.TasmanianDirectory.com   |   Your.TasmanianDirectory.com
TASeCOM.com   |   Drive-Tasmania.com
ForestryTasmania.com    |   Accommodation-Tasmania.com
Fair-Trading.com
TradePractices.com   |   Trade-Practices.com   |   Tas-Law.com


DOMAINS THAT ARE ASSISTING TO DISCOVER TASMANIA
AusFloristDirect.com

Postcards
POSTCARDS FROM TASMANIA
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