[Greens-Media] Forestry Tasmania may give new undertaking for Wielangta

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Thursday 11 May 2006 


Forestry Tasmania may give new undertaking for Wielangta 


Justice Marshall, in the Hobart Federal Court today, asked the parties
in the Wielangta Forest case (Senator Bob Brown v. Forestry Tasmania) to
attempt to agree on a new undertaking to be given by Forestry Tasmania.

Ms Debbie Mortimer SC, for Senator Brown, alleged that Forestry Tasmania
had undertaken a regeneration burn in a Wielangta coupe on 10 April
2006, contrary to the undertaking it had given in September 2005.

Forestry Tasmania did not contest evidence that the burn had taken
place.

Mr David Gunson QC, representing Forestry Tasmania said the undertaking
was more limited. He said that 'It was the intention of Forestry
Tasmania not to construct any further roadworks into any Wielangta coupe
or to conduct any forestry operations in any of those coupes into which
roads would otherwise have been constructed".

Justice Marshall said that he was not satisfied that the September 2005
undertaking was 'not ambiguous' and suggested that before any
application for an injunction is dealt with,  the parties should confer
on whether a new undertaking can be agreed, and report at 9.15 am on
Friday 12 May. 

Senator Brown's application for an injunction has not been determined
pending the outcome of discussions on the undertaking.

Forestry Tasmania confirmed that it presently had no plans for burning,
new roading or logging in Wielangta.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


--------------------------------------------------------------
Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au