By Ashley Bulgarelli – Protect Our North West Forests
The Dial Range is an icon of the north west. Loved by locals and marvelled by visitors – this outstanding multi-use recreational area is a vital economic asset for our region.
Yet Forestry Tasmania have scheduled 45 hectares to be clearfell logged, with the overwhelming majority of these trees heading to the woodchipper.
This part of the Dial Range is irreplaceable – our cameras have recorded healthy Tasmanian Devils and Spotted-tailed Quolls roaming the proposed logging areas.
All levels of government are investing in the Dial – Ironcliffe Road is being improved while new and upgraded trails are planned. Yet the state-owned logging agency is intending to destroy huge swathes of forest that directly overlays with the Mt Duncan East Face track and impacts upon other walking trails.
We have been fighting against this outrageous plan for the past six months. We have held information sessions run tours into the threatened forests for hundreds of people, while simultaneously advocating MPs and Council.
Our collective community voices are echoing across the state and are being heard in Parliament and beyond. With the federal and legislative council elections around the corner, we encourage you to ask candidates their position and keep raising the profile of our patch.
Keep up-to-date with developments by visiting Protect Our North West Forests on Facebook. You can also purchase a ‘Protect the Dial Range’ sticker from the following businesses in Ulverstone (Leven Antiques & Fern Oasis and Thirty Three Cups) or Penguin (Lanes IGA or The Penguin Pantry).