Oldgrowth for export

A report documenting the logging and woodchipping of Tasmanias oldgrowth forests.

Prepared by the Wilderness Society ( Tasmania) Inc and Still Wild Still Threatened

December 2008

This report has been compiled by The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc and Still Wild Still Threatened.
The Wilderness Society is a community-based environmental advocacy organisation whose purpose is to protect, promote and restore wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on Earth. The Wilderness Society has been campaigning for the protection of Tasmanias wild places for over 30 years. Still Wild Still Threatened is a grassroots community organisation campaigning for the immediate protection of Tasmanias oldgrowth and high-conservation-value forests and the creation of an equitable and environmentally sustainable forestry industry in Tasmania. Still Wild Still Threatened is based in Southern Tasmania and focuses its campaign on threatened oldgrowth and highconservation-value forests located in the Derwent Region.

ABBREVIATIONS
ABAREAustralian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics ARNAggregated Retention Cat. 1 & 3First grade eucalypt sawlog Cat. 2Second grade eucalypt sawlog Cat. 4First grade special species timber sawlog Cat. 8Eucalypt log with a quality below Category 2 specifications but which is deemed suitable for sawmilling. CLFClearfell FEAForest Enterprises Australia FSCForest Stewardship Council FTForestry Tasmania GPSGlobal Positioning System GMTGreen Metric Tonnes GS1Group Selection1st cutting cycle. HCVHigh Conservation Value ICOMOSInternational Council on Monuments and Sites IUCNInternational Union for Conservation of Nature ITCIntegrated Tree Cropping LTWSALong Term Wood Supply Agreement MPMMitsubishi Paper Mills PSRPotential Sawlog Retention Pulpwood and peelerLogs below sawlog quality which are suitable for peeling or the manufacture of pulp, paper and panel products. RFARegional Forest Agreement RNFRegenerate to Native Forest RPDCResource Planning and Development Commission SW1Shelterwood Retention TWWHATasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area UNESCOUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

AUtHors

Ula Majewski, Bachelor of Arts with Honours, University of Melbourne; Master of Environmental Management, University of Tasmania Gemma Tillack, Bachelor of Environmental Science, James Cook University Geoff Law, Bachelor of Science, University of Melbourne

ACKnowLeDGeMents
The authors would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their invaluable assistance in producing this report:
Carl Bennett, Suzi Pipes, Paul Raffety, Emma Capp, Russell Warman, Karuna Knights, Jessica Wright , Erik Hayward, Miranda Gibson, Peter van der Pasch, Nishant Datt, Valerie Thompson, Laura Minnebo, Rob Blakers, Matt Newton, Lesley Nicklason, Nick Fitzgerald, Will Mooney, Daniel Kennedy, Vica Bayley, Geoffrey Lea, Kip Nunn and all the volunteer researchers involved in conducting surveys.

Published by The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc 130 Davey St, Hobart, TAS, Australia 7000 www.wilderness.org.au Still Wild Still Threatened PO Box 295, South Hobart ,TAS, Australia 7004 www.stillwildstillthreatened.org
Printed on 100% recycled paper

SX010F / Photo: Ula Majewski Cover photos: Vica Bayley and Rob Blakers

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report sets out to: identify the status of tall-eucalypt forests, especially tall-eucalypt oldgrowth forests, on public land in Tasmania; detail the extent of proposed logging operations in Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests on public land; describe the characteristics of some of the RFA oldgrowth forests scheduled for logging; determine the main products extracted from Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests located on public land; determine the main destinations for the dominant products extracted from Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests.

The report presents evidence to show the following. Significant tracts of Tasmanian tall-eucalypt forest that was mapped as oldgrowth by the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) process are available for logging. There are at least 193 logging coupes in Forestry Tasmanias Three Year Wood Production Plans for 200708 to 200910 that contain RFA oldgrowth forest. Many of those logging coupes contain oldgrowth forests of great beauty and stature, with trees often in excess of 70 metres tall and 10 metres in girth. Some trees in scheduled logging coupes are just short of being official giants eligible for protection from logging (85 metres tall and/or 280 cubic metres in volume). The dominant product from Tasmanian native forests on public land is pulpwood (over 84% of wood extracted) with only 4% becoming solid wood products such as sawn timber. The majority of that pulpwood comes from trees that are not classified as regrowththat is, they come largely from trees that are mature or very old. Companies that process eucalypt pulpwood into pulp or paper within Tasmania process relatively small quantities compared with the quantities of woodchips exported. Companies that process eucalypt pulpwood in Tasmania claim to source all of their raw materials from nonoldgrowth sources such as plantations and regrowth. According to the Tasmanian Government, Gunns Ltd and Forestry Tasmania, Gunns proposed pulp mill will not consume RFA oldgrowth forests. Coupes excluded from the pulp mill appear to be dominated by RFA oldgrowth forest. The main product scheduled for extraction from coupes excluded from the pulpmill wood supply agreement with Forestry Tasmania is non-regrowth pulpwood which is destined for export by Gunns. While there is no legislative or government instrument to guarantee commitments by Gunns and the government that RFA oldgrowth will not be pulped or burnt in Gunns proposed mill, it appears that the intention is to keep exporting woodchips from Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests. The vast majority of woodchips from Tasmanian native forestsand an even higher proportion of the woodchips from RFA oldgrowthare exported by Gunns.

Threatened forest in the Weld Valley / Photo: Geoffrey Lea 3

Logging coupe WE038A, 15th June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski

Japanese paper companies are the main recipient of woodchips from Tasmania. In 200607, over 70% of Tasmanian hardwood woodchips went to Japan. A significant proportion of non-regrowth woodchips exported from Tasmania (at the very least 20%, but probably a much higher proportion) goes to Japan. These woodchips include woodchips from Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests.

While Gunns claims that RFA oldgrowth woodchips are not an acceptable source of fibre for its proposed pulp mill, it clearly believes it is acceptable for its international customers including the Japanese paper companiesto process those woodchips. Japanese pulp-and-paper companies, being the major recipients of woodchips from Tasmania, have a major role to play in the Tasmanian forestry industry. Mitsubishi has already played a constructive role by making commitments not to consume woodchips from oldgrowth forests and to make its intentions verifiable. If Oji, Nippon and other companies followed Mitsubishis lead, a win-win outcome could be achieved for both conservation and the Tasmanian forestry industry. In the absence of such action, Tasmanias unique oldgrowth forests will continue to be logged, woodchipped and sent to Japan. The Wilderness Society and Still Wild Still Threatened would like to make the following recommendations to the consumers of woodchips sourced from Tasmanias native forests.

1. Reject any woodchips sourced from RFA oldgrowth and other high-conservation- value
forests in Tasmania.

2. Publish on their websites all chain-of-custody information relating to sources

of woodchips, including woodchips from Tasmania. This will allow independent verification the wood is coming from sustainable sources that do not include RFA oldgrowth forests or other areas of high conservation-value.

3. Seek sources of woodchips that have Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. In
relation to FSC controlled wood, currently it is our advice that the only wood that can meet the controlled wood standard is wood that comes from established hardwood and softwood plantations. Verification that controlled wood is exclusively sourced from established plantations would need to be strictly audited. This is because highconservation-value forests continue to be used as a source of woodchips.

4. Reject woodchips sourced from coupes listed in Schedule 5 of the Long Term Wood
Supply Agreement between Gunns and Forestry Tasmania (FT/Gunns 2007:44). The majority of these coupes contain RFA oldgrowth forest.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 INTRODUCTION 7 PART ONE: The definitions and extent of RFA oldgrowth forests in Tasmania 9
1.2 The current status of RFA oldgrowth forests in Tasmania 12 1.2.1 The current status of tall-eucalypt forests in Tasmania  14 3.5 The role of Japanese pulp-and-paper companies in the logging of Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests 56 3.6 Recommendations to Japanese pulp-and-paper companies57

ReferenCes  59 APPENDIX A
Definition of high-conservation-value forests 63 Table 1: List of coupes in state forest that contain RFA oldgrowth forests due to be logged between 20072010. 64 Table 2 : List of coupes in state forest that contain high-conservation-value forest due to be logged between 20072010. 65

PART TWO: The logging of RFA oldgrowth forests in Tasmania 19 Methodology for surveying oldgrowth logging coupes  24
CASE STUDY: RFA oldgrowth logging in the Derwent Wilderness Forests 25 CASE STUDY: RFA oldgrowth logging in the Styx Valley 26 CASE STUDY: RFA oldgrowth logging in the Upper Florentine Valley 36 CASE STUDY: RFA oldgrowth logging in the Wylds Craig area 40 CASE STUDY: RFA oldgrowth logging in the Wedge 42

APPENDIX B
Derwent surveyfield notes 67

APPENDIX C
Notional Sawn Recovery and Cost Figures conversion table (Ryan 1999: 61).  71

PART THREE: Where do the oldgrowth woodchips go? 47

3.1 The primary product extracted from native forests on public land is pulpwood49 3.2 The majority of the pulpwood extracted from native forests on public land is not regrowth 50 3.3 Who processes these non-regrowth woodchips from public land? 51 3.3.1 Gunns proposed pulp mill  51 3.3.2 Domestic processors 53 3.3.3 Exporters of woodchips other than Gunns 54 3.3.4 Gunns export-woodchip mills 54 3.4 Where are the RFA oldgrowth woodchips exported to? 55

APPENDIX D
Letter from Mitsubishi Corporation to Greenpeace and The Wilderness Society, 14 May 2004 72 Letter from Nippon Paper Industries to Tasmanian Premier, 9 March 2004 73

List of FiGUres
Figure 1. Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) Oldgrowth forests in Tasmania  9 Figure 2. Area of oldgrowth forest in areas surveyed for regional forest agreements.12 Figure 3. The Current Status of Tasmanias Original Cover of Tall-Eucalypt Forest.14 Figure 4. Reserved and unreserved tall-eucalypt forest in Tasmania15 Figure 5. Principle forest types examined in fragmentation analyses, Tasmania..16 Figure 6. Status of Tall Eucalypt RFA Oldgrowth Forest on Public Land 2006 16 Figure 7. Tall eucalypt oldgrowth forest lost 19962006 by forest type.17 Figure 8. Logging coupes containing RFA oldgrowth 19 Figure 9. The Derwent Wilderness Forests case study area.25 Figure 10. Planned logging details of case study coupes in the Styx Valley26 Figure 11. The Styx Valley case study area.28 Figure 12. The Upper Florentine Valley case study area.36 Figure 13. Planned logging details of case study coupes in the Upper Florentine Valley36 Figure 14. Location of case study coupes in the Wylds Craig area40 Figure 15. Planned logging details of case study coupes in the Wylds Craig area40 Figure 16. Location of case study coupes in the Wedge 42 Figure 17. Planned logging details of case study coupes in the Wedge42 Figure 18. Proportion of logs in case study coupes that become sawlogs and woodchips 45 Figure 19. Public Land Logging Figures from Forestry Tasmanias Annual Reports.48 Figure 20. Proportion of logs extracted from publicly-owned native forest that becomes pulpwood 49 Figure 21. Schematic representation of Tasmanian oldgrowth logging.49 Figure 22. Summary of Hardwood Pulpwood available from planned coupes in 2006 2007.50 Figure 23. Volumes of pulpwood in RFA oldgrowth coupes that have been excluded from Gunns Ltds proposed pulp mill wood supply 2007-2008.51 Figure 24. Logging coupes on public land excluded from Gunns proposed pulp mill that are in Forestry Tasmanias 2007-08 to 2009-10 Three Year Plan.52 Figure 25. The vast majority of woodchips produced in Tasmania are exported by Gunns Ltd. .53

INTRODUCTION
This report has been produced by The Wilderness Society and Still Wild Still Threatened to document the ongoing logging of Tasmanias oldgrowth forests and to highlight the critical influence Japanese consumers of Tasmanian woodchips can have on the future of oldgrowth forests in Tasmania.
The island state of Tasmania is globally renowned for its oldgrowth native forest, significant biological diversity and spectacular wild places. Tasmania is home to one of the worlds last great temperate wilderness areas, to the worlds tallest hardwood trees (which can grow to over 100 metres in height), and to the largest tract of temperate rainforest in Australia. The exceptional ecological values of Tasmanias natural landscapes have been internationally recognised by a multitude of individuals and organisations, including the IUCN (multiple reports and recommendations from 1989 to 2008; see, for example, IUCN 1989 and IUCN 1990), the Tasmanian Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage (DPWH 1990), and the Forest and Forest Industry Councils Balanced Panel of Experts (FFIC 1990). However, significant tracts of oldgrowth and other high-conservation-value forests are still being logged or are scheduled for logging. These ancient forested landscapes, which include globally significant examples of tall-eucalypt forest and rainforest, are essential for conserving wilderness, World Heritage values, biodiversity, threatened-species habitat, hydrological flows and carbon storage. Pristine oldgrowth forests located on public land in the Upper Florentine, Weld Valley, Styx Valley, Wylds Craig area, Wedge, Little Denison, Tyenna, Middle Huon, Great Western Tiers, Ben Lomond and the North East and Eastern Highlands, including the Blue Tier, are threatened by logging and unsustainable management practices.

This report provides irrefutable evidence showing that industrial logging of Tasmanias RFA oldgrowth and high conservation value forests on public land is occurring and will continue into the future unless decision-makers in the political or corporate arenas take action to protect these forests.

Logging coupe TN049A, 11th February 2008 / Photo: Erik Hayward

Logging coupe WE034D, 25th June 2007 / Photo: Laura Minnebo

Part One

THe Definitions anD extent of RFA oLDGrowtH forests in TasMania

Tasmania has a large area of oldgrowth and other high-conservation-value forests.
Oldgrowth forests generally have a layered structure, with large overstorey trees, a well developed understorey of other tree species and shrubs, and ecological features such as dead standing trees and large logs on the forest floor. A number of wildlife species are reliant on these attributes because of the range of nesting hollows they provide and their greater structural complexity compared with forests in earlier stages of development. In addition, oldgrowth forests support a range of aesthetic and cultural values and provide tourism opportunities (Montreal Process Implementation Group for Australia 2008:16). The definition of oldgrowth forest as articulated within the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) process is ecologically mature forest where the effects of disturbances are now negligible (JANIS 1997:14). A considerable amount of debate exists as to which areas of forest are classified as oldgrowth in Tasmania. This is largely due to the rules that were applied when mapping the extent of oldgrowth forest during the RFA process. To date, many forests that have never been logged and which contain numerous very big, old trees have not been classified as oldgrowth by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments. The conservation movement has therefore continued to present a scientifically-based argument for the recognition and protection of such forests.

Figure 1. Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) Oldgrowth forests in Tasmania

Please note: The term RFA oldgrowth forests in this report refers to the areas shown on the map above as RFA oldgrowth forests in Tasmania. 

Logging coupe WE039D, 15th June 2008 / Photo: Laura Minnebo

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A number of critical concerns over the validity of oldgrowth mapping and reserve allocation during the RFA process were raised by a number of key stakeholders. Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, one of Australias most renowned botanists, has stated that the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) was not a scientific process. It was a political decision negotiated between State and Commonwealth bureaucrats. Scientific criteria for forest conservation were not fully appliedthey were compromised for wood production. He said that there are large areas of native forest, oldgrowth and otherwise, that would have been reserved if flexibility provisions were not attached to the RFA criteria for forest conservation. These almost certainly would have included the large area of oldgrowth Eucalyptus regnans tall open-forest in the Styx Valley. If the RFA conservation targets had been met this area would have been totally or largely reserved (Kirkpatrick 2004:68). A significant proportion of the oldgrowth forests that were left out of the RFA oldgrowth mapping are classified as regrowth forest. Many members of the public believe the term regrowth to mean an area of forest that has been logged and grown back. However, a number of areas which have been classified as regrowth forests in Tasmania include forest that has never been logged but has been disturbed by natural events, such as bushfires. Examples of this occur in the middle Huon and lower Styx valleys in southern Tasmania. The middle Huon, for example, is part of one of the worlds great temperate wilderness areas and contains huge trees over 250 years old, but has been classified and

mapped as regrowth because it also contains trees that began their life after bushfires in 1904 and 1934. Forestry Tasmania itself has admitted there is a distinction between post-logging regrowth, which it calls aged regrowth, and natural regrowth, which it calls unaged regrowth. They are defined by Forestry Tasmania as follows:
(Aged) RegrowthForest that has been logged and regenerated, generally since 1960, using deliberate site preparation and seeding techniques. The year of sowing is documented and the age of the trees may be determined. Also referred to as silvicultural regeneration (FT 2007a:22). (Unaged) RegrowthForest regenerated after wildlife or other disturbances, and containing a majority of trees less than 110 years old, where there is no deliberate site preparation or seed sowing. Unaged regrowth forest may contain scattered individuals or stands of ecologically mature trees (FT 2007a:22).

logging coupes documented in this report have focussed on areas of oldgrowth forests that were mapped in the RFA process to ensure that the evidence presented in this report cannot be refuted. Figure 1 shows the oldgrowth forests that were recognised and mapped by the State and Federal Governments during the RFA process.The Wilderness Society and Still Wild Still Threatened believe that a priority for reservation should be given to oldgrowth forests and other forest ecosystems that also have high conservation-values. One of the most widely accepted definitions of high-conservation-value forests is the Forest Stewardship Councils definition which considers the following criteria when defining highconservation-value forests. Forests with high biodiversity values Large intact natural forest areas Rare or threatened ecosystems Forests with critical ecosystem importance Forest areas of particular importance to local communities and indigenous peoples.

In effect, Forestry Tasmania has admitted that some areas it defines as regrowth contain oldgrowth forest. In addition, the Australian Forestry Standard has a definition which allows for the occurrence of oldgrowth within a regrowth forest:
Regrowth forestNative forest containing a substantial proportion of trees that are in the younger growth phase and are actively growing in height and diameter. Regrowth forests may contain scattered individuals or small occurrences of ecologically mature, or old-growth, trees. (AFS 2007:15)

In order for logging companies to be certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) the values in forests of high conservation-value must be maintained (FSC 2008c). See Appendix A for The Wilderness Societys definition of high-conservation-value forests and lists of planned logging coupes in high-conservation-value forest in Tasmania.

The forestry industry and the Tasmanian Government still refuse to accept the failures of the oldgrowth mapping during the RFA process. As a result, the
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1.2 The current status of RFA oldgrowth forests in Tasmania

The following figures and tables demonstrate that there are considerable tracts of unprotected RFA oldgrowth forest in Tasmania. Prior to European settlement, Tasmania had an estimated 4822000 hectares of native forest (CoA/ TasGovt 2007:223). According to Forestry Tasmania, 1446500 hectares of these forests are now protected in either formal or informal forest reserves (FT 2006b:7). That is, almost 30% of Tasmanias original extent of native forest is protected from logging. Therefore, approximately 70% of Tasmanias original extent of native forest has either been destroyed or is still available for logging. Figure 2 indicates that in 2007 there were 1228000 hectares of RFA oldgrowth forests left in Tasmania. RFA oldgrowth forests accounted for 39% of all native forests mapped in Tasmania (approximately 25% of the original extent of Tasmanias forests). There were 1118000 hectares of RFA oldgrowth forests on public l/and in Tasmania. This table shows that 973000 hectares of RFA oldgrowth forests were protected in formal and informal reserves.

Reserves on Public Land are identified as either formal or informal reserves. A Formal Reserve includes State Reserves and conservation areas managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, and Forest Reserves managed by Forestry Tasmania. The status of Formal Reserves is secure, requiring action by Tasmanian Parliament for dedication or revocation (FT 2007b:99, CoA/TasGovt 1997:5). Informal Reserves include wildlife habitat strips and other areas where harvesting activities are specifically excluded by management zoning (FT 2007b:99) and do not hold a secure reservation status. The formal reserves gazetted due to the Tasmanian RFA of 1997 and the Supplementary Tasmanian RFA of 2005 are protected from logging operations. However, many of these forests remain under threat from other industrial operations. For example, for reserves established as a result of the 2005 supplementary RFA, all of the new reserves on public land are available for mineral exploration and mining under the Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 (CoA/TasGovt 2006:2). A large proportion (at least 56%) of the RFA oldgrowth forests that are not protected are situated on public land. Figure 2 indicates that 255000 hectares of Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forest are not reserved. With 110000 hectares of RFA oldgrowth forest on private land, at least 145000 hectares of oldgrowth are therefore on unreserved public land. A significant proportion of these unprotected areas of RFA oldgrowth forest are managed by Forestry Tasmania. Forestry Tasmania has stated that at least 75000 hectares of RFA oldgrowth forest situated on its estate have been identified for wood production (FT 2008:14).

Native forest area in region (000ha) NSWb Qldb Tas Vic WAd
c

Area of oldgrowth identified (000ha) 2536 270 1228 673 331 5039

Area of oldgrowth as % of forest in region 28 8 39 12 17 22

Area of oldgrowth on public land (000ha) 1892 196 1118 673 331 4209

Area of oldgrowth on private land (000ha) 644 71 110 1 n/a 826

Area of oldgrowth in formal and informal reservesa (000ha) 1742 196 973 460 331 3702

% oldgrowth in reserves 69 73 79 68 100 73

8989 3230 3116 5774 1909 23018

Total
a b

Includes nature conservation reserves and informal reserves on other tenures Oldgrowth data for Queensland and New South Wales have not been updated since SOFR 2003. They do not include reserves established since 2003 and therefore area of oldgrowth in formal and informal reserves is an underestimate. c Includes new reserves established under the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement on public land and 9000 hectares of oldgrowth reserved on private land d Based on oldgrowth mapping for the RFA. Note: Oldgrowth definitions vary among states. Oldgrowth forest has not been assessed in the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory or South Australia. Totals may not tally due to rounding. Sources: NFI, state agencies

Figure 2. Area of oldgrowth forest in areas surveyed for regional forest agreements. (Montreal Process Implementation Group for Australia 2008:18).
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Log truck departing the Styx Valley carrying logs from coupe SX010F, 7th January 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski

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According to figures provided by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Mission which visited Tasmania in March 2008, 22870 hectares of oldgrowth forest were destroyed between 1996 and 2007 (Rao et al. 2008:36, 38). Forestry Tasmania has also stated that 11450 hectares of RFA oldgrowth forest were harvested on public land between 2002 and 2007, with 1472 hectares of these forests logged in 2006 2007 (FT 2007f:15).

1.2.1 The current status of tall-eucalypt forests in Tasmania

Many of the RFA oldgrowth forests that are protected in Tasmania consist of trees that are not desirable for logging. These include very large tracts of rainforest on infertile soils, stunted higher altitude species and large areas of Eucalyptus nitida on infertile soils in the states south west. RFA oldgrowth forests that contain species highly desirable to the forestry industry have been poorly reserved, as this section will show. Tasmania is home to the tallest hardwood forests on Earth, with trees reaching up to 101 metres in height and living for over 400 years. Only a small proportion (22%) of Tasmanias original tall-eucalypt forests have been reserved (Figure 3). For the purposes of Figure 3, tall-eucalypt forest is defined as Eucalyptus regnans, wet Eucalyptus delegatensis, wet Eucalyptus obliqua and wet Eucalyptus viminalis. Wet E. nitida is not counted as a tall-eucalypt because, even under optimal conditions, it seldom reaches heights in excess of 40 metres. Each of the other species has been recorded at heights of 85 metres or more. Figure 3 clearly shows that the vast majority of Tasmanias original tall-eucalypt forests have been cleared or remain threatened. These tall-eucalypt forest-types can be mapped using the TASVEG database. Figure 4 shows protected and unprotected tall-eucalypt forests. This map makes it crystal clear that the vast majority of tall-eucalypt forests in Tasmania are unreserved. Only small areas of these statuesque forests have been properly protected in national parks and other formal reserves. The map does not distinguish between oldgrowth and non-oldgrowth. The vast majority of what is shown in Figure 4 has been previously logged. Remaining areas of oldgrowth are very small and therefore of immense significance to humanity.

Current status of Tasmania's original cover of tall-eucalypt forest

Tall-eucalypt forests extant at 1750 (approx): 1,102,000 ha
44% Cleared Threatened Reserved (informal reserve)

34% 22%

Figure 3. The current status of Tasmanias original cover of tall-eucalypt forest (CoA/TasGovt 1997:6970, CoA/ TasGovt 2005:1617, CoA/TasGovt 2007:211, 223, FPA 2007:7380).
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Figure 4. Reserved and unreserved tall-eucalypt forest in Tasmania

Note: For this map, tall-eucalypt forest is defined as Eucalyptus brookeriana wet forest, E. delegatensis wet forest (undifferentiated), E. obliqua wet forest (undifferentiated), E. regnans forest and E. viminalis wet forest. Source of base data: theLIST, State of Tasmania; TASVEG, The Tasmanian Vegetation Map, Biodiversity and Conservation Branch, DPIW

Logging coupe TN045A, 14th June 2008 (note relative size of person standing at base of tree) / Photo: Jess Wright 15

Forest type classes (% of all types) Eucalypt low woodlands 6.0 0.8 0.7 Eucalypt medium woodlands 26.1 22.1 60.9 Eucalypt tall open forests 23.2 45.5 12.4 Eucalypt tall woodlands 6.7 10.2 10.6

Even bearing these limitations in mind, official figures show that significant tracts of RFA oldgrowth on public land remain open to logging.
Rainforests 35.9 9.1 2.2

Tenure Nature conservation reserves Multiple-use public forests Private forests

Acacia 0.3 3.3 2.1

Figure 5. Principle forest types examined in fragmentation analyses, Tasmania. (Montreal Process Implementation Group for Australia 2008: 30). Similarly, figures from another source (that adopts a different definition for eucalypt tall open forests) show that 45.5% of remaining eucalypt tall open forest occurs on public land managed largely for logging (Figure 5). An additional 12.4% occurs on private land, much of which would also be available for logging. Only 23.2% were reserved. When dealing with oldgrowth, official figures often appear to indicate that the vast majority is now protected. However, oldgrowth figures must be treated with caution for the following reasons: As already explained, there are problems with the definitions and mapping of RFA oldgrowth, mature forest and regrowth; A significant proportion of reserved talleucalypt oldgrowth consists of informal reserves which have no legislative protection and whose configuration does not help their long-term viability; Mapped oldgrowth is a snapshot of whats left. This sometimes produces counter-intuitive results. For example, as oldgrowth outside of reserves is logged, the proportion of oldgrowth reserved actually increases. This is because it is a constant piece of a shrinking pie.

Figure 6 was derived from data provided by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments (CoA/TasGovt 2007:227). It shows that in 2006, approximately 91000 hectares of tall-eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forest situated on public land were formally protected. Approximately 32000 hectares were classified as informal reserves and approximately 61000 hectares remained unprotected. This evidence clearly

Status of tall eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forest on public land in Tasmania, 2006 Formally protected Informally protected

61,000

Unprotected

91,000

32,000
Figure 6. Status of Tall Eucalypt RFA Oldgrowth Forest on Public Land 2006 (Eucalyptus regnans, wet E. delegatensis, wet E. obliqua, wet E. viminalis) (CoA/TasGovt 2007:227). Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

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demonstrates that there are significant tracts of unprotected tall-eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forests in Tasmania. The same source shows that over 10000 ha of tall-eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forest have been lost since 1996 (CoA/TasGovt 2007:225). The vast majority of this has occurred as a result of logging. Figure 7 shows that significant tracts of tall-eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forests have been logged since the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement. In summary:

Tall eucalypt oldgrowth forest lost 19962006 by forest type

4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 Hectares 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0

Significant tracts of tall-eucalypt forest have been destroyed in Tasmania since European settlement; Significant tracts of tall-eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forest have been logged since 1996; Significant tracts of tall-eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forest are unreserved and therefore remain threatened by logging; Significant tracts of tall-eucalypt RFA oldgrowth forest are inside informal reserves and therefore inadequately protected.

E. regnans

E. delegatensis wet

E. obliqua wet

Figure 7. Tall eucalypt oldgrowth forest lost 19962006 by forest type (CoA/TasGovt 2007:225).

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Logging coupe SX010F, 10th December 2007 / Photo: Laura Minnebo 18

Part two:

THe LoGGinG of RFA oLDGrowtH forests in TasMania

An analysis of data obtained from Forestry Tasmanias 20072010 Three Year Wood Production Plan (FT 2007c) demonstrates that substantial areas of RFA oldgrowth across Tasmania have been scheduled to be roaded and logged over the next two years.
Figure 8 shows areas of RFA oldgrowth forest planned for logging between 2007 and 2010 according to Forestry Tasmanias 20072010 Three Year Wood Production Plan. For a preliminary list of all RFA oldgrowth logging coupes that are allocated for harvesting operations between 2007 and 2010, refer to the tables in Appendix A. The images on the following pages depict a number of the RFA oldgrowth or high conservation-value logging coupes identified in Appendix A. These images, along with the list of RFA oldgrowth coupes identified in the 20072010 Three Year Wood Production Plan (see Appendix A), provide clear and irrefutable evidence that the logging of RFA oldgrowth forests was occurring across Tasmania in 2008 and that these operations are scheduled until at least 2010. In addition to Forestry Tasmanias wood production plan, there is evidence to suggest that wood supply projections from Tasmania indicate that oldgrowth and mature forests will provide 3050 per cent of timber volumes for the next 50 years (Keenan and Ryan:6). The following case study provides detailed descriptions of RFA oldgrowth forests scheduled for logging in the Derwent Wilderness Forest Region in Tasmania.

Figure 8. Logging coupes containing RFA oldgrowth

 The RFA oldgrowth logging coupes identified in these tables can be best described as a preliminary list. They have been identified and mapped using the co-ordinates supplied by Forestry Tasmania in the current Three Year Wood Production Plan. The single point identified by these co-ordinates is often insufficient in indicating whether the coupe contains RFA oldgrowth forest or not. To date, a comprehensive list of all logging coupes containing RFA oldgrowth forest in Tasmania has not been produced. Such a list would utilise the entire area of each planned logging coupe to analyse whether RFA oldgrowth occurred in any part of the coupe area. It is highly probable that the list used in this report will expand considerably if a comprehensive list is produced. 19

Oldgrowth trees in logging coupe GC164A, near Blue Tier, north-east Tasmania

Photos: Lesley Nicklason

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Oldgrowth trees in logging coupe GC139B, near Blue Tier, north-east Tasmania. The very old tree pictured at right shows a large hollow containing the nest of a yellow-tailed black cockatoo. Photos: Lesley Nicklason

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Logging coupe GL208C, oldgrowth Eucalyptus amygdalina forest with open understorey / Photos: Nick Fitzgerald

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Logging coupe WR015F, Weld Valley, Southern Tasmania Photos left and below: Will Mooney Photo bottom left: Matt Newton

23

Methodology for surveying oldgrowth logging coupes

A number of planned logging coupes were identified through an analysis of the 20072010 Three Year Wood Production Plan and the locations and boundaries of each logging coupe were downloaded from Forestry Tasmanias website (FT 2007d). The survey does not include all logging coupes in the Derwent Wilderness Forests and was intended to provide a sample of RFA oldgrowth forests and logging operations occurring within the region. The survey was conducted by volunteer researchers between November 2007 and June 2008. Researchers travelled to each logging coupe on one or more occasions to document the natural values and disturbances present at each site. The data collected from these field trips were recorded on standardised field sheets (see Appendix B). Research tools included a GPS, compass, cameras, flora and fauna identification literature, measuring tapes, 1:25000 topographical maps, coupe maps and copies of the relevant Forest Practices Plan where available. The data resulting from these surveys were collated and summarised. The results from this survey are presented in this section. Where relevant, measurements of trees carried out by Walter Herrmann have been included. Herrmann has been measuring, identifying and locating giant trees in Tasmanias forests since 2001 and has published an article about the giant trees of the Styx valley in the journal of the Institute of Forests (Herrmann 2006). Each logging coupe surveyed in this study is classified under the land tenure of State Forest and managed by Forestry Tasmania. Map co-ordinates are based on GDA94. Refer to the List of Abbreviations for details of acronyms and codes used in this section of the report.
24 CO08A, 13 June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski

CASE STUDY:
RFA oldgrowth logging in the Derwent Wilderness Forests
This case study has been carried out to provide an on the ground perspective of the threatened RFA oldgrowth forests located in the Derwent Wilderness Forests.v For the purposes of this report, the Derwent Wilderness Forests have been defined as the region between the Wylds Craig area and the Styx Valley in southern Tasmania (inclusive). Figure 9 indicates the boundary for the case study area. This case study presents the results of a survey conducted in planned logging coupes throughout the Derwent Wilderness Forests. The study area comprises four locales the Styx Valley, the Upper Florentine Valley, the Wylds Craig area and the Wedgethat are linked by their respective geographical locations as well as by their outstanding natural values and their close proximity to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA). The following criteria were utilised to select logging coupes for the study: The logging coupe contained RFA oldgrowth forest; The logging coupe was located within three kilometres of the TWWHA; Figure 9. The Derwent Wilderness Forests case study area. The logging coupe was listed in Forestry Tasmanias 20072010 Three Year Wood Production Plan; The logging coupe was excluded from the Long Term Wood Supply Agreement for Gunns proposed pulp mill, and; The logging coupe contained significant quantities of pulpwood that was classified as other (ie. not regrowth) in the 20072010 Three Year Wood Production Plan. The classification of other in the wood production plan indicates the presence of mature and/or very old trees.

 This area has been defined by The Wilderness Society and Still Wild Still Threatened as the Derwent Wilderness Forests. A large proportion of oldgrowth forests situated in this region form part of the proposed extension to the TWWHA (Hitchcock 2008). It should be noted that Forestry Tasmanias definition of the Derwent District includes this area but encompasses a larger region that stretches to the east coast of Tasmania. 25

RFA oldgrowth logging in the Styx Valley

The Styx Valley contains some of the most significant stands of giant Eucalyptus regnans in the world. E.regnans, which are the worlds tallest hardwood trees and the worlds tallest flowering plants, grow to over 90 metres high in the valley. The Styx contains outstanding examples of oldgrowth tall-eucalypt forest, oldgrowth rainforest, spectacular rivers and waterfalls, a high diversity of understorey species and significant geomorphological features such as sinkholes and caves. The

oldgrowth forests of the Styx Valley border the TWWHA along the Jubilee and Snowy Ranges. Parts of the Styx were protected as part of the Supplementary Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (the so-called Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement) of 2005. However, there are exceptional stands of threatened pristine oldgrowth forest located in the South Styx and in the vicinity of Mount Mueller which are contiguous with the TWWHA. These stands of giant eucalypts and ancient rainforest are under immediate threat from logging and roading operations which will reach to within 400 metres of the TWWHA boundary.
Sawlogs (m3) Pulpwood and peeler (tonnes) Cat. 4 Cat. 8 Regrowth Other

Coupe SX010F SX009B SX011B TN047C TN048A SX008D TN046B SX014C TN045B SX009C TN045A TN047A TN049A TN050A

Size (ha) 30 40 20 17 25 25 52 41 62 43 45 35 35 14

Distance from TWWHA 1100m 800m 360m 500m 700m 1800m 2000m 400m 2000m 750m 1400m 940m 1700m 2400m

Harvest Method Ground ARN Ground ARN Ground ARN Ground CLF Ground CLF Cable CLF Cable CLF Ground ARN Cable CLF Ground ARN Cable CLF Cable CLF Ground GS1 Ground ARN

Future Use RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF RNF

Cat. 1 + 3

Veneer

Cat. 2

N/A 2100 N/A 400 1600 2700 3500 2100 3000 1100 3200 1100 600 1000

N/A 200 N/A 0 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 0

N/A 400 N/A 100 500 300 300 400 300 400 400 400 100 200

N/A 600 N/A 100 200 100 300 300 200 0 0 0 600 0

N/A 400 N/A 100 700 300 300 400 300 400 400 400 100 200

N/A 1500 N/A 0 0 0 7400 1000 8800 1000 6900 3000 1000 0

N/A 9200 N/A 2800 12000 6400 7600 9200 7600 9200 8800 9200 1800 3700

Figure 10. Planned logging details of case-study coupes in the Styx Valley
26

Tall eucalypts line the ridges in the upper reaches of the Styx Valley, overlooked by snow-capped Mt Mueller / Photo: Rob Blakers 27

Figure 11. The Styx Valley case study area.

28

SX010F, 6th January 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski

SX010F
This site was one of the most spectacular examples of tall mixed forest in the Styx Valley. It is situated on relatively level terrain, which slopes up gently towards the TWWHA on its southerly aspect and slopes downward on its northerly aspect. This area contained outstanding examples of oldgrowth E.regnans, many measuring over 75 metres in height. In November 2002, Walter Herrmann located two trees in or immediately adjacent to SX010F with the following measurements: Tree W031 (470503E, 5258144N): 78 metres tall; 12.7 m in circumference; 209 cubic metres in volume. Tree W032 (470653E, 5257694N): 77 metres tall; 8 metres in circumference; 108 cubic metres in volume. Oldgrowth rainforest species were present throughout the site, including exquisite examples of Nothofagus cunninghamii (myrtle), Atherosperma moschatum (sassafras), Phyllocladus aspleniifolius (celery top pine) and Dicksonia antarctica (manferns).
 Mixed forest can be defined as a wet eucalypt forest with an understorey of rainforest species (Harris and Kitchener 2005:420).

SX010F, 14th June 2008 / Photo: Jess Wright

A significant biodiversity of fungi and mosses occurred throughout the area. Large sections of this forest, which contained stunning examples of mature rainforest and some of the islands most outstanding instances of tall eucalypts, have now been logged. Contractors signs observed in the coupe suggest that a substantial proportion of this timber has

been trucked to Triabunna to be woodchipped and exported.

LOGGING SCHEDULED: CONTINGENCY. SX010F was LoGGeD between DeCeMber 2007 anD apriL 2008.

29

SX009B
This site consists of two distinct areas: one regrowth section selectively logged approximately 50 years ago which contains a very old overgrown road; and an outstanding undisturbed section comprised of oldgrowth mixed forest. The site is positioned on steep terrain. Tall Eucalyptus obliqua and Eucalyptus delegatensis are present in the undisturbed section. The rainforest understorey includes fine examples of oldgrowth and multi-aged myrtle and sassafras. A number of gullies containing mature manferns can be found, the most spectacular of which occurs on a steep slope above the South Styx River. A high diversity of mosses occurs throughout both sections, but is particularly noteworthy within the undisturbed area of the site. Forestry Tasmania was conducting roading operations within the site in June 2008.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2007/2008 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/20081.6km RoaDinG operations UnDerway in JUne 2008

SX010F on left (partially logged) and SX011B on right (prelogging), 7th March 2008 / Photo: Nishant Datt

SX011B
This site provided an excellent example of the oldgrowth mixed forest typical of the area. The coupe is located on steep terrain and is in extremely close proximity to the TWWHA boundary (360 metres). Prior to logging, there were significant stands of extremely tall E.regnans present. The rainforest understorey included oldgrowth myrtles, sassafras and manferns. SX011B is located in close proximity to SX010F and forestry operations commenced in this coupe immediately after SX010F was harvested. Its southern and eastern boundaries are contiguous with pristine oldgrowth forest which is contiguous with the TWWHA.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: CONTINGENCY. SX011B was LoGGeD between apriL anD JUne 2008

SX011B, 14th June 2008 / Photos above and below: Ula Majewski

SX009B / Photo: Ula Majewski 30

TN047C
This area contained spectacular stands of oldgrowth sassafras as well as significant examples of oldgrowth E.delegatensis and E.obliqua. Prior to logging, outstanding examples of mature rainforest species, including myrtle and manferns, could be observed along with a high diversity of mosses and fungi. The site occurs on level terrain and is situated in extremely close proximity to the TWWHA boundary. This outstanding tract of oldgrowth mixed forest was clearfelled between April and May 2008.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2007-2008. TN047C was LoGGeD between apriL anD May 2008.

TN048A
Prior to logging, this spectacular area of oldgrowth mixed forest provided some exceptional examples of very tall E. delegatensis, including one with a girth measuring 16.45 metres and a height exceeding 65 metres (5559384E, 5259113N) and another reaching between 75 and 85 metres in height and 14.7 metres in girth (55458945E, 5259800N). Numerous stands of mature E. regnans also occurred throughout the site. The understorey was largely made up of rainforest species, including oldgrowth myrtles and sassafras, large manferns measuring up to 7 metres in height, Eucryphia lucida (leatherwood) and Anopterus glandulosus (native laurel). There was a high diversity of mosses and fungi present throughout the site. The site is situated on varying terrain, ranging from very steep slopes to distinct plateaus. The headwaters of the Styx River are located in close proximity and many tributaries of the Styx flow through the site. This coupe was subjected to a clearfell operation between July and September 2008. Prior to logging, the only evidence of anthropogenic disturbance within this area was a logging road which bisects the site. There is a large clearfell adjacent to the south-west corner of the site (the first section of the coupe, which has been clearfelled and burnt).
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2007/2008. TN048A WAS LOGGED BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER 2008.

TN047C, 22nd April 2008 / Photo: Peter van der Pasch

TN048A (note relative size of people standing at base of tree) / Photo above: Gemma Tillack TN048A / Photo left: Ula Majewski 31

TN046B
Exquisite stands of pure oldgrowth rainforest occur throughout this site, which is located on steep terrain. Mature examples of celery top pine, myrtle, sassafras, native laurel and dense Anodopetalum biglandulosum (horizontal) occur repeatedly throughout the area. Other rainforest species present include manferns and leatherwood. There are some spectacular examples of oldgrowth E.obliqua measuring over 70 metres in height. Juvenile and medium aged Acacia mucronata (narrow leaf wattle) and Acacia verticillata (prickly mimosa) can be found at specific locales within the site. There are additional sections of the site populated with juvenile and medium aged E.regnans, E.obliqua, and E.delegatensis.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2008/2009 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/20082KM RoaDinG operations UnDerway in JUne 2008

SX008D
This area is typical of the oldgrowth mixed forests of the valley and is situated on steep terrain. Spectacular examples of tall oldgrowth E.regnans can be found throughout the site. The understorey is comprised of oldgrowth rainforest species including sassafras, myrtles and manferns. The site shows no evidence of anthropogenic disturbance. A significant diversity of young ferns, mosses, lichens and fungi is evident throughout the site. In February 2003, Walter Herrmann located two trees in SX008D with the following measurements: W024 (466543E, 5259044N)66 metres tall, 10.1 metres in circumference, approximately 129 cubic metres in volume. W025 (466378E, 5258939N)77 metres tall, 11.2 metres in circumference, approximately 173 cubic metres in volume.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2008/2009

TN046B, 14th June 2008 / Photo: Gemma Tillack 32

TN046B, 14th June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski

SX014C
This site provides an absolutely exceptional example of pure rainforest and small sections of oldgrowth mixed forest. It is situated on extremely steep terrain on its eastern aspect, with the larger part of the site being relatively level. Oldgrowth E.regnans, E.delegatensis and E.obliqua occur at a low frequency in some sections. Pristine oldgrowth rainforest including outstanding examples of myrtle, sassasfras, manferns, native laurel, horizontal, celery top pines, Richea pandanifolia (pandani) and Leptospermum riparium (tea tree) populate a vast proportion of the site. A spectacular waterfall is located adjacent to the coupe, adding to the exceptional aesthetic and ecological value of this area. The site is predominantly undisturbed, with the exception of a small localised fire disturbance on the northern boundary that appears to be quite recent. The area is located amongst a continuous tract of pristine oldgrowth forest that is contiguous with the TWWHA.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2008/2009 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/20081.5km

myrtle, leatherwood and native laurel. This forest shows no evidence of anthropogenic disturbance.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2008/2009

SX009C
Approximately half of this site has previously been subjected to selective logging and contains regrowth wet eucalypt forest. The other half of the site contains outstanding tall mixed oldgrowth forest. The site is located on steep terrain of varying degrees and is bordered by the Styx and the South Styx Rivers. There are some fine examples of oldgrowth E.regnans within the anthropogenically undisturbed section of the site. Herrmann measured one of these tall E.regnans: W097, 83 metres tall, 14.8 metres in circumference and approximately 273 cubic metres in volume. The rainforest understorey in this section includes mature sassafras, myrtle, horizontal and exceedingly large manferns, some of which exceed 7 metres in height. Numerous fungi and mosses occur throughout the site.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2009/2010 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/2008 2km (Jubilee Link to South Styx)

TN045B
This site is typical of the oldgrowth mixed forests of the area and is located on extremely steep terrain. Numerous stands of oldgrowth E.delegatensis, E.obliqua and E.regnans (all of which can be measured at over 65 metres in height) occur throughout the area as well as significant populations of juvenile E.regnans. There are some exceptional examples of oldgrowth manferns present which measure between 10 and 12 metres in height, most of which are situated in a spectacular gully. Other rainforest species which make up the understorey of this forest include mature celery top pine, sassafras,

SX009C / Photo: Ula Majewski 33

TN045A
This site contains tracts of pure rainforest which largely occur in gullies. Other parts of the site contain the oldgrowth mixed tall forest typical of the area. The site is positioned on fairly steep terrain. There are numerous examples of mature E.regnans, E.obliqua and E.delegatensis that grow up to 65 metres in height as well as significant populations of young to medium aged E.obliqua and E.regnans. There is a diversity of rainforest species, including mature sassafras, myrtle, celery top pine, leatherwood, large manferns, bracken fern, Phebalium squameum (lancewood or satinwood) and horizontal. The understorey of this forest is relatively open. A diversity of mosses and fungi can also be found. The only disturbance in evidence is a forestry road which traverses the site.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2009/2010 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2008/20090.5km

TN047A
This area of oldgrowth mixed forest consists of a tall E.obliqua and E.regnans overstorey with a rainforest-dominated understorey comprised of mature myrtle, leatherwood, native laurel, manferns, celery top pine, Olearia argophylla (musk), sassasfras, satinwood/lancewood and dense sections TN047A, 14th June 2008 / Photo: Jess Wright of bracken fern. There are spectacular scenic views from high vantage points within this site. There is some anthropogenic disturbance present in the site due to a logging road which traverses the coupe. However, the intact areas on each side of this road exist in an undisturbed state.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2009/2010

TN045A, 14th June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski 34

potential giantan E.delegatensis with a girth measured at 18.7 metres and a height in excess of 55 metres (5559976E, 5259866N). The relatively open understorey is dominated by mature rainforest species, including celery top pine, myrtle, sassafras, leatherwood, manferns and pandani. Outstanding examples of oldgrowth musk can also be found on the site. A number of different mosses and fungi have been observed throughout the area. This area is an excellent example of pristine oldgrowth forest, with no evidence of anthropogenic disturbance visible within the site.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2009/2010

TN050A
This site contains some outstanding examples of mature rainforest species occurring within a mixed oldgrowth forest typical of the area. The site is located on steep terrain. Mature stands of E.delegatensis and E.obliqua reaching heights of over 70 metres occur throughout the area. Endemic tree species such as Eucalyptus coccifera (snow peppermint) are present. Mature examples of rainforest species, including celery top pine, tea tree, manferns, myrtle, sassafras, bracken ferns, native laurel, cutting grass, horizontal and pandani can be observed throughout the site. A diversity of heath, mosses and fungi are also present. The area is largely undisturbed, with the exception of a localised section at the northern boundary, where a cleared area and powerlines are present.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2009/2010 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/20080.5km

TN049A, 11th February 2008 / Photo: Erik Hayward

TN049A
This site is an exceptionally spectacular illustration of the outstanding ecological and scenic values of the area. The site is located in near proximity to the headwaters of the Styx River on variable terrain, primarily consisting of steep slopes. There is a high level of biodiversity present, with extensive stands of oldgrowth mixed forest interspersed with pure rainforest occurring within the riparian zone of the site and some sections of swamp. These forested areas are characterised by tall E.obliqua and E.delegatensis, including at least one

TN050A, 11th February 2008 / Photo: Erik Hayward

35

RFA oldgrowth logging in the Upper Florentine Valley

The Upper Florentine Valley contains hundreds of hectares of threatened oldgrowth forest, significant karst systems, a wild river and outstanding examples of indigenous and European cultural heritage. The valley is bordered on three sides by spectacular mountains within the TWWHA. Natural values present in the valley include globally significant examples of oldgrowth eucalypts and rainforest, temperate oldgrowth rainforest and threatened species habitat. The large tracts of oldgrowth forests situated in the valley are of such exceptional value that the RFAs panel of experts on World Heritage recommended that the Upper Florentine eucalypt forests warrant further investigation as a best global expression of the Eucalypt sub-theme in wetter southern temperate areas (CoA 1997b). These tracts of pristine wilderness present in the Upper Florentine Valley are under immediate threat from industrial logging and roading operations. Forestry Tasmania is planning to build 10.4 km of logging roads through this globally unique ecosystem in 200809 (FT 2007c), which will access 12 logging coupes, all of which contain irreplaceable stands of oldgrowth forest. Most of the timber harvested from these oldgrowth forests will be woodchipped and exported.

Figure 12. The Upper Florentine Valley case study area.

Sawlogs (m3) Pulpwood and peeler (tonnes)
Cat. 4 Cat. 8 Regrowth Other

Coupe FO044A FO042E FO044E

Size 45 30 24

Distance from TWWHA 1300m 600m 400m

Harvest Method Ground ARN Ground ARN Ground ARN

Future Use RNF RNF RNF

Cat. 1 + 3

Veneer

Cat. 2

2800 2600 600

0 0 0

300 300 200

800 300 0

300 300 200

0 1000 0

3700 6400 5500

Figure 13. Planned logging details of case-study coupes in the Upper Florentine Valley
36

A logging road into high-conservation-value oldgrowth forests at Coupe FO044A in the Upper Florentine Valley cuts through tall eucalypts and a diverse understorey of myrtle, sassafras and celery top pine. Ropes and tree platforms used by forest defenders are visible above the road / Photo: Rob Blakers 37

FO044A
This area of the Upper Florentine Valley consists of oldgrowth eucalypts and rainforest existing in a predominantly undisturbed state. It is situated on level terrain. Outstanding examples of oldgrowth eucalypts can be found throughout the area, predominantly E.delegatensis and E.obliqua, some of which reach over 70 metres in height and, on average, have a girth of approximately 8 metres, although there are additional stands of very young eucalypts. There are a number of spectacular tracts of oldgrowth rainforest species, most notably myrtle and sassafras. A thick understorey occurs in parts of the coupe, featuring a significant number of manferns, as well as a diversity of mosses and fungi. There are areas densely populated with young myrtles and sassafras. Numerous examples of mature Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood), native laurel and celery-top pine also occur throughout the coupe. An example of European cultural heritage can be found in the remnants of an old track. The only significant disturbance to this particular site occurs directly adjacent to the Gordon River FO044A / Photo: Rob Blakers Rd in the form of a new logging road which was pushed through previously undisturbed mature forest in 2006 and gravelled in 2007. Otherwise, this site demonstrates negligible evidence of anthropogenic disturbance and is located within a significant area of pristine oldgrowth forest that is directly contiguous with the TWWHA.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2007/2008, 2008/2009 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/20080.6km

38

FO042E
This site contained oldgrowth E. obliqua, oldgrowth E. regnans and open rainforest. The site is positioned on relatively level terrain. Spectacular oldgrowth rainforest consisting of myrtle, sassafras and celery top pine occurred throughout this site. The coupe contained an outstanding oldgrowth myrtle that measured approximately 6metres in diameter. Significant examples of karst were also located in one section of the site. The Little Florentine River runs directly adjacent to this formerly pristine tract of oldgrowth tall forest.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2008/2009 FO042E WAS LOGGED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER 2008

FO042E, 9th November 2008 / Photo: Emma Capp

FO042E, 9th November 2008 / Photo: Emma Capp

FO044E
This site contains a diversity of ecosystems, ranging from oldgrowth mixed forest to swampy terrain to stands of young tea tree (Leptospermum) that primarily occur within 20 metres of Cooks Track. Other sections of the site are characterised by a tall E.delegatensis overstorey and a rainforest understorey consisting of myrtles, sassafras, tree ferns, Acacia dealbata (silver wattle) and tea tree. These varied ecosystems are situated on very level terrain. Some sections of the site have been partially disturbed by old selective logging practices and the areas immediately adjacent to Cooks Track have also been subject to anthropogenic disturbance. However, significant areas of the site exist in a completely undisturbed and pristine state.
FO042E, 10th January 2008 / Photo: Daniel Kennedy LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2008/2009 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/20080.3km 39

RFA oldgrowth logging in the Wylds Craig area

The Wylds Craig area contains large tracts of spectacular oldgrowth mixed forests, many of which are contiguous with the TWWHA. Significant stands of giant oldgrowth eucalypts and pristine temperate rainforest can be found throughout the area. The threatened oldgrowth forests located in the Wylds Craig area also contain significant geomorphological features, a high biodiversity and outstanding visual amenity. These values are under immediate threat from planned logging and roading operations. The majority of harvested timber from these unique oldgrowth forests will be woodchipped and exported.

Wylds Craig area, 12 March 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski Distance from TWWHA 2500m 2600m Contiguous

Figure 14. Location of case-study coupes in the Wylds Craig area

Sawlogs (m3) Pulpwood and peeler (tonnes)
Cat. 4 Cat. 8 Regrowth Other

Coupe CO008A CO007B CO012B

Size 41 50 60

Harvest Method Ground/Cable ARN Cable PSR Ground SW1

Future Use RNF RNF RNF

Cat. 1 + 3

Veneer

Cat. 2

4600 3400 N/A

0 0 N/A

600 500 N/A

800 0 N/A

600 500 N/A

1000 1000 N/A

12800 11000 N/A

Figure 15. Planned logging details of case-study coupes in the Wylds Craig area
40

CO008A
This site is dominated by oldgrowth stands of sassafras and musk. Sparsely distributed examples of oldgrowth E.delegatensis and E.obliqua and a small number of myrtles are also present throughout the area. Juvenile and mediumaged eucalypts can also be observed. The site is located on variable and substantially rocky terrain. The open understorey is populated with native laurel, sphagnum moss, Nephrolepis cordifolia (fishbone ferns), juvenile celery top pines, Pomaderis apetala (dogwood), leatherwood, horizontal, finger ferns, H.rugosula CO008A, 13th June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski (ruddy ground ferns) and Polystichum proliferum (Mother Shield ferns). A large rocky outcrop is present in the site as well as a sinkhole, indicating the potential for karst in the area. The site is located immediately adjacent to a large burnt clearfell. This has had significant impacts on the northern boundary of the site, with some evidence of fire disturbance on the edge. A logging road is also adjacent to the eastern corner of the site, where some edge effects can be observed. However, the rest of the area shows no evidence of anthropogenic disturbance and is situated on the edge of a large tract of pristine oldgrowth forest that is directly contiguous with the TWWHA boundary.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2007/2008, 2008/2009 ROADING SCHEDULED: 2007/20081.2km

CO007B
This site is located on steep and very rocky terrain. Some fine examples of oldgrowth E.delegatensis and E.obliqua are present throughout the site. There are significant stands of oldgrowth rainforest species, most notably myrtle and sassafras, located in the north-west section of the site. A large and aesthetically spectacular rocky outcrop measuring at least 10 metres in height was observed near the eastern boundary of the site. There is a diversity of mosses and lichens populating the site and instances of Tasmannia lanceolata (mountain pepper) can be observed.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2009/2010 CO007B, 13th June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski

CO012B
This oldgrowth mixed forest is directly adjacent to the TWWHA and contains fine examples of tall eucalypts and rainforest species. There are significant stands of tall E.delegatensis present and some outstanding instances of mature myrtles measuring up to 7 metres in girth and 50 metres in height. Other species include sassafras, leatherwood, black wattle and tree ferns. A diversity of mosses and fungi occur throughout the site. Sinkholes were observed on the site, indicating the potential for karst. This area shows no evidence of anthropogenic disturbance.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: CONTINGENCY. ROADING SCHEDULED: 2009/20102km

41

RFA oldgrowth logging in the Wedge

The Wedge is located adjacent to Lake Gordon, on the steep slopes of Mount Wedge and in the immediate vicinity of the Sawback and Ragged Ranges. This area is bordered to the east and south by the TWWHA. The threatened forests of the Wedge contain a plethora of exceptional natural values, including oldgrowth tall-eucalypt forest, pockets of pristine temperate rainforest, a high biodiversity of mosses and fungi, and habitat for threatened species. Industrial roading and clearfell cable-logging operations on extremely steep slopes are critically compromising the conservation values of this forest.

The Wedge, 25th June 2007 / Photo: Laura Minnebo

Figure 16. Location of case-study coupes in the Wedge

Sawlogs (m3) Pulpwood and peeler (tonnes)
Cat. 4 Cat. 8 Regrowth Other

Coupe WE038A WE039D WE002F WE003C

Size (ha) 40 27 N/A 15

Distance from TWWHA 400m 1250m Contiguous Contiguous

Harvest Method Cable CLF Cable CLF Cable CLF Cable CLF

Future Use RNF RNF RNF RNF

Cat. 1 + 3

Veneer

Cat. 2

2000 3100 N/A N/A

100 200 N/A N/A

600 400 N/A N/A

100 0 N/A N/A

600 400 N/A N/A

1500 1800 N/A N/A

13800 9900 N/A N/A

Figure 17. Planned logging details of case-study coupes in the Wedge

42

WE039D

WE002F

AboveWE038A, 15th June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski Above rightWE038A, 15th June 2008 / Photo: Laura Minnebo

WE038A
This coupe, which is situated on exceedingly steep terrain, was subjected to a clearfell cable logging operation in 2007 and subsequently burnt in May or June 2008. Evidence of the prior existence of tall oldgrowth eucalypts and mature rainforest species are shown in the accompanying images. The coupe extends to the waterline of Lake Gordon. In the surrounding intact forest, fine examples of oldgrowth rainforest species and oldgrowth E.delegatensis and E.obliqua can be observed.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2007/2008 LOGGING COMPLETED 2007. COUPE BURNT IN MAY/JUNE 2008.

This coupe is situated This site is in immediate on extremely steep proximity to the TWWHA terrain. At the time of boundary and contains surveying, a significant some exceptional section of the site had examples of oldgrowth been subjected to a rainforest species in clearfell cable logging addition to outstanding operation. In the logged scenic views to the west area, evidence of the prior existence of tall through natural clearings oldgrowth eucalypts and mature rainforest within the forested species can be observed (stumps, log piles, landscape. The site is felled trees, debris). In the areas of the coupe positioned on extremely that had not been subjected to industrial steep and relatively logging operations at the time of surveying, unnavigable terrain. significant stands of oldgrowth E.obliqua Throughout the site, and E.delegatensis were in evidence, there are a number of including one outstanding E.obliqua exceedingly steep gullies (5438178E, 5274282N) which measures with streams occurring WE039D, 15th June 2008 / Photo: approximately 50 metres in height and 16.5 at the base of these. Laura Minnebo metres in girth. Mature rainforest species, Oldgrowth eucalypts occur including sassafras, Dicksonia tree ferns and within the area, but in myrtles, were also observed. This remarkable tract very sparse numbers. Rainforest species present in of oldgrowth eucalypts and rainforest was being the site include outstanding instances of oldgrowth destroyed in June 2008. conjoined myrtles, oldgrowth sassafras, manferns, LOGGING SCHEDULED: 2007/2008. leatherwood and native laurel. Numerous stands LOGGING OPERATIONS OCCURRING IN JUNE 2008. of juvenile to medium-aged myrtle, sassafras and leatherwood are also present. Mature horizontal and bracken form a dense understorey throughout the site. A high biodiversity of mosses and fungi are present throughout the area. This site demonstrates no evidence of anthropogenic disturbance.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: CONTINGENCY. ROADING SCHEDULED: 2008/2009 0.7km

WE039D, 15th June 2008 / Photo: Ula Majewski 43

WE003C
This outstanding example of oldgrowth rainforest and mixed forest is situated on variable terrain, consisting of extremely steep slopes and plateaus, and positioned directly adjacent to the TWWHA. Eucalypts are present though their distribution is minimal. On the eastern aspect of the site, which consists of a plateau and a gradually descending gradient, mature and juvenile myrtle and sassafras are present, along with manferns, juvenile leatherwood, a nominal incidence of native laurel and a variety of mosses and fungi. However, on the western aspect of the site the landscape alters substantially. Exceptional examples of oldgrowth myrtle and sassafras are present throughout this section. There are numerous stands of native laurel, a sporadic placement of juvenile and medium-aged leatherwood, and an exceedingly dense understorey of horizontal and bracken. A sinkhole can be found in this section of the site, indicating the potential for karst. This area shows little evidence of anthropogenic disturbance.
LOGGING SCHEDULED: CONTINGENCY. ROADING SCHEDULED: 2009/20101km

WE003C, 2nd March 2008 / Photo: Erik Hayward 44

Proportion of logs in case-study coupes that become sawlogs and woodchips

Sawlogs and veneer (cubic metres) NA 3700 NA 700 2800 3600 4400 3200 3800 1900 4000 1900 1500 1400 4200 3500 1000 6600 4400 NA 3400 4100 NA NA 60100 Sawlogs and veneer (tonnes) NA 4070 NA 770 3080 3960 4840 3520 4180 2090 4400 2090 1650 1540 4620 3850 1100 7260 4840 NA 3740 4510 NA NA 66110 Regrowth Pulpwood (tonnes) NA 1500 NA 0 0 0 7400 1000 8800 1000 6900 3000 1000 0 0 1000 0 1000 1000 NA 1500 1800 NA NA 36900 Other pulpwood (tonnes) NA 9200 NA 2800 12000 6400 7600 9200 7600 9200 8800 9200 1800 3700 7400 6400 5500 12800 11000 NA 13800 9900 NA NA 154300

For the case-study coupes for which figures are available (Figure 18), approximately: 26% of the logs extracted will become sawlogs or veneer logs; 14% of the logs extracted will become regrowth pulplogs; 60% of the logs extracted will become other pulplogs, which include RFA oldgrowth.

Coupe SX010F SX009B SX011B TN047C TN048A SX008D TN046B SX014C TN045B SX009C TN045A TN047A TN049A TN050A FO044A FO042E FO044E CO008A CO007B CO012B WE038A WE039D WE002F WE003C TOTAL

On the face of it, it appears that approximately 74% of logs will become pulpwood. However, the figure is much greater if sawmill residues are also taken into account. Each sawlog produces a certain amount of sawn timber and a certain amount of residue woodchips. Approximate recovery rates for sawn timber and woodchips for different grades of sawlog are listed in the Ryan Report (Ryan 1999:61). For the purposes of this calculation, the average conversion rates to woodchips used are: Cat 1, 3, veneer: 0.5 Cat. 2: 0.6 Cat 4: zero (as many specialty timbers are not suitable for woodchipping) Cat 8: 0.725

The conversion rates for sawn timber are: Cat 1, 3, 4, veneer: 0.28 Cat 2: 0.15 Cat 8: 0.08 Using these figures, the proportion of logs extracted from the case-study coupes that are to become pulpwood (woodchips) is approximately 86%. The proportion that becomes sawn timber is approximately 6%.

Figure 18. Proportion of logs in case-study coupes that become sawlogs and woodchips (Data sourced from FT 2007c:30-39).1

1 The volumes in the third column (Sawlogs and veneer (tonnes)) of Figure 18 have been calculated using the forestry industrys convention that 1 cubic metre of hardwood weighs 1.1 metric tonnes. 45

Conclusions of case study for RFA oldgrowth logging in the Derwent Wilderness Forest Region
This case study has clearly demonstrated that: RFA oldgrowth forests located in the Derwent Wilderness Forests were being logged in 2007 2008, with many oldgrowth forests planned for logging in 2008 and afterwards; The case-study coupes contain spectacular forests, many of them with extraordinarily large trees, some up to 15 metres in girth and over 80 metres tall; Many of the case-study coupes contain very old rainforest trees; Most of the case-study coupes are in pristine forest that is contiguous with the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area; The vast majority of the wood to be extracted from the case-study coupes will become pulpwood.

Logging coupe SX010F, July 2008 / Photo: Vica Bayley

46

PART THREE

WHere Do tHe oLDGrowtH wooDCHips Go?

This section identifies the destinations of pulpwood extracted from Tasmanias native forests, and especially from Tasmanias RFA oldgrowth forests.
Very little publicly available official documentation on the destinations of RFA oldgrowth pulpwood exists. This section therefore relies on a number of different and disparate references from which a picture can be constructed. It presents evidence that: and that they do not consume RFA oldgrowth forests;

A majority of the RFA oldgrowth woodchips must be exported because they are not processed locally and because the volumes of native-forest woodchips that are processed locally are very small compared with exports; Of the three exporters of hardwood woodchips from Tasmania, Forest Enterprises Australia and Artec appear not to export significant quantities of woodchips from native forests on public land; The overwhelming majority of RFA oldgrowth woodchips generated in Tasmania are exported by Gunns; A significant proportion of non-regrowth woodchips (at least 20%) exported from Tasmania are purchased by pulp-and-paper companies in Japan from Gunns. Japan is therefore a major destination of woodchips from RFA oldgrowth forests.

Over 84% of timber harvested from native forests on public land in Tasmania, which includes areas of RFA oldgrowth forests, ends up as woodchips; The majority of pulpwood planned for extraction from Tasmanias public native forests is not regrowth; Coupes excluded from Gunns proposed pulp mill by the wood-supply agreementand whose pulpwood is ostensibly intended for exportcontain pulpwood that is overwhelmingly not regrowth; Coupes ostensibly excluded from Gunns proposed pulp mill which can be mapped overwhelmingly contain RFA oldgrowth forest; All of the companies that process woodchips in Tasmania claim that the woodchips they process come from plantations or regrowth,

This evidence therefore highlights the significant role of Japanese consumers in the logging of oldgrowth forests in Tasmania.
Photo: Bettina Heinkel

47

Public Land Logging Figures from Forestry Tasmanias Annual Reports

2003-04 converted to tonnes 2004-05 converted to tonnes 2005-06 converted to tonnes 2006-07 converted to tonnes

Special Species sawlogs Cat. 1,3 sawlogs Cat. 2, 8 sawlogs Euc. veneer sawlogs Pulpwood Eucalypt peeler log TOTAL % pulp logs % sawlogs and veneer logs % peeler logs

21,866 m3 346,018 m 117,247 m 11,070 m 176,183 m

3 3 3

24,296 384,464 130,274 12,300 2,902,786 176,183 3,630,303 79.96%

17,307 m3 345,829 m 99,878 m 13,356 m 159,433 m

3 3 3

19,230 384,254 110,976 14,840 2,724,303 159,433 3,413,036 79.82%

13,560 m3 320,719 m 85,057 m 9,260 m 150,934 m

3 3 3

15,067 356,354 94,508 10,289 2,191,132 150,934 2,818,284 77.75%

15,343 m3 301,526 m 51,778 m 5,662 m 211,197 m

3 3 3

17,048 335,029 57,531 6,291 2,136,687 211,197 2,763,783 77.31%

2,902,786 t
3

2,724,303 t
3

2,191,132 t
3

2,136,687 t
3

15.19% 4.85%

15.51% 4.67%

16.90% 5.36%

15.05% 7.64%

The above figures are all from Forestry Tasmania Annual Reports. These reports do not give figures for total pulpwood (including sawmill residues) and sawn timber. However, approximate figures for sawn timber and woodchips can be calculated using conversion rates listed in the Ryan Report, April 1999, Log Utilisation and Segregation in Tasmania.

Sawn timber* Cat. 1,3, veneer (28%) Cat. 2,8 (12%) Special species (32%) TOTAL % sawn timber Average (four years) Woodchips from sawlog residues* approx Cat 1, 3 (55%) Cat. 2, 8 (65%) TOTAL TOTAL PULPWOOD % PULPWOOD Average (four years) 190,310 m3 76,211 m
3

96,885 m3 14,070 m 6,997 m

3 3

107,650 15,633 7,775 131,058 3.61%

96,832 m3 11,985 m 5,538 m

3 3

107,591 13,317 6,154 127,062 3.72%

89,801 m3 10,207 m 4,339 m

3 3

99,779 11,341 4,821 115,942 4.11%

84,427 m3 6,213 m 4,910 m

3 3

93,808 6,904 5,455 106,167 3.84% 3.82%

117,952 m3

114,356 m3

104,347 m3

95,550 m3

190,206 m3 64,921 m 266,520 3,169,306 87.30%

3

176,395 m3 55,287 m 255,127 2,979,430 87.30%

3

165,839 m3 33,656 m3 231,683 2,422,815 85.97% 199,495 m3 199,495 2,336,182 84.53% 86.27%

266,520 m3

255,127 m3

231,683 m3

Figure 19. Public Land Logging Figures from Forestry Tasmanias Annual Reports (FT 2004, FT 2005, FT 2006a, FT 2007c, Ryan 1999:61). For the conversion table utilised in these calculations, see Appendix C.
48

3.1

The primary product extracted from native forests on public land is pulpwood
are very consistent with the figures for the Derwent Wilderness Forest case study, in which 86% become pulpwood and 6% become sawn timber. These coupes are predominantly RFA oldgrowth forest. It is therefore reasonable to assume that, when it comes to all RFA oldgrowth forest logged on public land in Tasmania, about 5% becomes sawn timber and over 80% ends up as woodchips. The fate of Tasmanian oldgrowth trees that are logged is illustrated schematically in Figure 21. The dominant productabove 85%from Tasmanias native forests is clearly pulpwood.
Proportion of logs extracted from publicly owned native forest that becomes pulpwood
10% Pulpwood Sawn timber Other

The vast majority of wood harvested from Tasmanian native forests is woodchipped. The data presented in Figure 19 demonstrates that in 2006-07, 85% of the native-forest timber harvested from public land in Tasmania ended up as woodchips. The four-year average is approximately 86%. Only 4% of the native-forest wood harvested ended up as sawn timber. These public forests include all of the RFA oldgrowth forest logged on public land in Tasmania in the relevant period. The data presented in Figures 20 and 21 for all native forest on public land for the last four years Figure 21. Schematic representation of Tasmanian oldgrowth logging. (Percentages are approximate averages based on Figure 19)

4%

86%

Figure 20. Proportion of logs extracted from publicly-owned native forest that becomes pulpwood

Logging coupe WE039D, 15th June 2008 / Photo: Laura Minnebo 49

3.2 The majority of the pulpwood extracted from native forests on public land is not regrowth
Forestry Tasmania has publicly stated that up to 500 000 tonnes of oldgrowth woodchips will be exported from Tasmania each year (Darby 2007, Denholm 2007). Forestry Tasmania classifies pulpwood into two categories: regrowth and other. The term other clearly includes RFA oldgrowth pulpwood . Figure 22 from Forestry Tasmanias Three Year Wood Production Plan 200607 to 200809 shows that 1391200 tonnes of pulpwood were to be produced from wood classified as other in 200607. Clearly, 54.5% of the pulpwood planned for extraction from native forests located on public land in 200607 was classified as otherthat is, not regrowth. These figures are not untypical of Forestry Tasmanias Three Year Wood Production Plans. For example, in 2007 2008, 63.4% of pulpwood planned for extraction from native forests was classified as other (FT 2007c:9). Forestry Tasmanias Three Year Wood Production Plan shows that the majority of pulpwood extracted from Tasmanias public native forests is from non-regrowth areas such as RFA oldgrowth forests. Therefore a majority of the pulpwood extracted from Tasmanias public native forests is not regrowth, but is likely to be sourced from mature and/or oldgrowth trees. Pulpwood (000 tonnes) District Murchison Mersey Bass Derwent Huon Total Regrowth 192.2 75.2 452.6 221.9 219.2 1,161.1 Other 155.1 222.6 434.1 389.4 190.0 1,391.2 Total 347.3 297.8 886.7 611.3 409.2 2,552.3

Figure 22. Summary of Hardwood Pulpwood available from planned coupes in 20062007 (FT 2006c:9).

SX010F, 14th June 2008 / Photo: Jess Wright

50

3.3 Who processes these nonregrowth woodchips from public land?

It has been established that most of the wood extracted from Tasmanias publicly owned native forests becomes woodchips, and that most of these woodchips are non-regrowth. That is, a significant proportion of the wood extracted from Tasmanian publicly-owned native forests becomes non-regrowth woodchips. The question now becomes, who processes those woodchips? Tasmania has three major domestic processors of pulpwood or pulpNorske Skog (newsprint, Boyer), Australian Paper (Wesley Vale) and Australian Paper (Burnie). There are also three major woodchip exporters Gunns, Forest Enterprises Australia and Artec. We should also consider Gunns proposed pulp mill, as if it goes ahead, it will be the single biggest consumer of pulpwood in Tasmania by far.

3.3.1 Gunns proposed pulp mill

Gunns, Forestry Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government have all asserted that Gunns proposed pulp mill will not consume RFA oldgrowth forests. For example:
No wood from oldgrowth coupes will be provided from public forests under this contract [the wood supply agreement between Forestry Tasmania and Gunns for the Tamar valley pulp mill] to Gunns for the pulp mill. Bob Gordon. Managing Director of Forestry Tasmania. 19 October 2007 (FT 2007e). No oldgrowth will be provided from public forests to Gunns for the pulp mill. It will be a mix of regrowth wood and plantation wood Paul Lennon, Former Premier of Tasmania. 19 October 2007 (FT 2007e). No oldgrowth timber will be used and in just five years, 80% of the mills timber supply will come from plantations. Gunns Fact Sheet (Gunns 2008a).

Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) in 2006 and to the Commonwealth Government in 2007. The Integrated Impact Statement on the Bell Bay Pulp Mill shows that it will take ten years for plantations to provide 80% of the mills wood supply (Gunns 2006c:39). However, if Forestry Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government and Gunns are to be taken at their word, it therefore follows that the majority of logs from RFA oldgrowth coupes will either be exported as woodchips or processed by other Tasmanian users of pulpwood. In addition, the Long Term Wood Supply Agreement (LTWSA) for Gunns proposed pulp mill provides additional detail on coupes that have currently been excluded from the contract (FT/Gunns 2007:44). Schedule 5 of the LTWSA presents a list of coupes on public land that will not be used to provide pulpwood for the proposed pulp mill. Analysis of those coupes for which information is available demonstrates that the vast majority of pulpwood from those coupes is not regrowth. Pulpmill-excluded coupes that are scheduled for logging in Forestry Tasmanias Three Year Wood Production Plans have been mapped against RFA oldgrowth forest. The resulting figures for 200708 are shown in Figure 23. This table shows that 70.4% of the pulpwood in coupes excluded from Gunns proposed pulp mill is classified as other and therefore is likely to consist of mature and oldgrowth trees. In addition, the specifications for pulpwood to be sold to Gunns under the LTWSA specifies a maximum diameter of 85 cm under bark (FT/Gunns 2007:40).
51

The final quote is contradicted by the official information submitted by Gunns to the Resource
TOTAL NATIVE FOREST PULPWOOD (tonnes) 105800 335900 40700 20100 69700 572200

DISTRICT BASS DERWENT HUON MERSEY MURCHISON TOTAL

OTHER PULPWOOD (tonnes) 52500 260700 28400 18200 42800 402600

REGROWTH PULPWOOD (tonnes) 53300 75200 12300 1900 26900 169600

% OF OTHER 49.60% 77.60% 69.80% 90.50% 61.40% 70.40%

Figure 23. Volumes of pulpwood in RFA oldgrowth coupes that have been excluded from Gunns Ltds proposed pulp mill wood supply 2007-2008 (FT 2007c, FT/Gunns 2007).

This implies (but does not guarantee) that largerdiameter logs will not be accepted for the pulp mill. Figure 24 shows the pulpmill-excluded coupes that are also within Forestry Tasmanias Three Year Plan. This map clearly demonstrates that a majority of the areas of forests that are excluded from the LTWSA for the pulp mill are RFA oldgrowth forests. The task therefore remains to determine what becomesand what will becomeof the RFA oldgrowth woodchips.

Figure 24. Logging coupes on public land excluded from Gunns proposed pulp mill that are in Forestry Tasmanias 2007-08 to 2009-10 Three Year Plan. A majority of excluded coupes contain RFA oldgrowth.

52

3.3.2 Domestic processors

There are three domestic processors of pulp or pulpwood in Tasmania. Norske Skog is a newsprint mill located at Boyer on the Derwent River in southern Tasmania. It consumes approximately 511000 tonnes of pulpwood per annum (Norske Skog 2007:35). Situated in southern Tasmania, the mill produced Australias first newsprint in 1941 and remains one of the states major employers. Annual production is around 290000 tonnes of newsprint and related grades. This represents about 40% of Australian consumption. The mill uses plantation radiata pine, regrowth eucalypt and recycled fibre, which is produced at Norske Skog Albury, in Victoria (Norske Skog 2008). Oldgrowth-eucalypt fibre has not been used to make Australian newsprint since 1991 (PNEB 2008). Australian Paper owns and operates the Burnie paper mill and the Wesley Vale pulp mill, both situated on the north-west coast of Tasmania. It has publicly stated that the fibre used in its pulp-and-paper mills is not sourced from oldgrowth forests;
All fibres used at our mills are sourced from plantation and sustainably managed forests. We do not source any fibre from old growth forests (AP 2008a).

Total Tasmanian hardwood pulpwood production 20062007

Volume (tonnes) Nativestate forest Nativeprivate forest Total native forest pulpwood Plantationstate forest Plantationprivate forest Total plantation pulpwood 2,136,687 955,879 3,092,566 126,163 921,679 1,104,842 % of total 51.6% 23.1% 74.7% 3.0% 22.3% 25.3%

Total hardwood pulpwood

Gunns woodchip sales

Total Tasmanian hardwood pulpwood production 20062007

4,140,408
3,400,000

100%
82.1%

Other companies 18%

Gunns Ltd 82%

The Burnie paper mill imports pulp from outside Tasmania. If this paper mill does not use any woodchips that are sourced from Tasmanias native forests, it cannot use woodchips that are sourced from Tasmanias RFA oldgrowth forests. The Wesley Vale paper mill uses woodchips from plantations and regenerated eucalypt, which is sourced from a number of suppliers including Gunns and Forestry Tasmania. Australian Paper has stated that the company seeks evidence from suppliers that these sources are managed for long-term viability and that at no time is any of the fibre sourced from oldgrowth forests (AP 2008b:36). Given the small quantities of eucalypt pulpwood actually processed in Tasmania, and given the long-standing assurances by local processors that they do not use oldgrowth pulpwood, it appears that neglible quantities of RFA oldgrowth pulpwood are processed in Tasmania. The vast and overwhelming majority of pulpwood from Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests must therefore be exported. Figure 25. The vast majority of woodchips produced in Tasmania are exported by Gunns Ltd. (FT 2007b:3, PFT 2007:8, Gunns 2007:14).

53

3.3.3

Exporters of woodchips other than Gunns

3.3.4 Gunns export-woodchip mills

Gunns is still the dominant supplier of hardwood woodchips from Australia with most of its hardwood woodchips [currently sourced] from native forests in Tasmania (Pyry 2007:12). Gunns owns and operates four woodchip mills in Tasmania at Burnie, Bell Bay (x 2) and Triabunna. It does not operate any domestic pulp or paper mills. According to its Annual Reports and other information supplied to the Australian Stock Exchange, Gunns annual woodchip exports have ranged from 3.4 to 4.75 million tonnes of woodchips since 2004 (Gunns 2004, Gunns 2005, Gunns 2006a, Gunns 2007). According to Gunns, it exported 3.4 million green metric tonnes of woodchips in 20062007 (Gunns 2007:14) and 3.7 million green metric tonnes in 20072008 (Gunns 2008b:5). This is approximately seven times the quantity exported by FEA. If woodchips from RFA oldgrowth forests are not processed in significant quantities by Norske Skog, Australian Paper, Forest Enterprises Australia or Artec, they must be overwhelmingly exported by Gunns. Figure 25 shows that in 20062007, 4140408 tonnes of hardwood woodchips sourced from Tasmanian forests and plantations across all land-tenures were produced. 2136687 tonnes or just over half of these hardwood woodchips were sourced from native State Forests. The accompanying pie chart shows that in 20062007, around 82% of Tasmanias total hardwood woodchips were sold by Gunns. Gunns does supply woodchips to operators within the local Tasmanian market. However, as was clearly outlined earlier, all of these companies state that they do not use RFA oldgrowth woodchips. Therefore, the evidence strongly indicates that the vast majority of RFA oldgrowth woodchips are exported by Gunns to markets outside of Tasmania. Even if Gunns proposed pulp mill proceeds, woodchip exports will continue. Gunns has said that the project [the proposed pulp mill] provides an ability for the company to obtain an increase in the value of pulpwood through accessing the pulp market in addition to its current woodchip market [our emphasis] (Gunns 2005:6).

Forest Enterprises Australia (FEA) owns and runs a sawmill and woodchip mill at Bell Bay. The fibre-export part of its business is called Smartfibre and it is jointly owned between FEA and Integrated Tree Cropping (ITC). It is a plantation-based woodchip mill (Smartfibre 2008a). In 200708, the Smartfibre woodchip mill exported approximately 500000 tonnes of woodchips. FEAs shipments are part hardwood and part softwood (Smartfibre 2008a). Smartfibres woodchips are sourced from a mix of plantations, plantation sawmillresidues, and wood from regrowth forests. Smartfibre has the internationally recognised ISO14001 accreditation and, more significantly, Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and Controlled Wood Chain of Custody certification (Smartfibre 2008b). In order to gain a controlled wood chain-of-custody certification the supplier must demonstrate that it is not using wood sourced from high-conservation-value forests, including RFA oldgrowth forests. It therefore appears very unlikely that Forest Enterprises Australia exports any woodchips from RFA oldgrowth forests situated on public land in Tasmania. Another woodchip-export company based in Tasmania is Artec. In 200607, it exported approximately 750000 green metric tonnes of woodchips from Bell Bay (Pyry 2007:13). Little is published about Artec. It is believed that most of the areas from which it exported woodchips were privately-owned forests. Artec claims that it does not process oldgrowth forest.

54

Gunns Impact Statement shows that woodchip exports are planned to continue at two to three million green metric tonnes per annum even if the pulp mill is built and operational (Gunns 2006b:6 249). Forestry Tasmania has confirmed that 500000 tonnes of RFA oldgrowth forests will be woodchipped and exported from Triabunna and Burnie each year (Clark 2007:15). These export woodchip mills are owned by Gunns. Woodchip exports from Triabunna will include the majority of logs extracted from the planned coupes described in the Derwent Wilderness Forests case study. These exports also include woodchips from the coupes listed in Schedule 5 of the Long Term Wood Supply Agreement for Gunns proposed pulp mill the excluded coupes (FT/Gunns 2007:44). It appears that Gunns regards the wood sourced from these coupes as an unacceptable source of fibre for its proposed pulp mill, but continues to export wood from these coupes to its international customers. Therefore, if Gunns, Forestry Tasmania and the state government are to be believed, the majority of woodchips from Tasmanias RFA oldgrowth forests will be exported as woodchips by Gunns.

3.4 Where are the RFA oldgrowth woodchips exported to?

Japan has been by far the largest importer of hardwood woodchips in the [Asia-Pacific] region, representing 84% of Asia-Pacific woodchip imports in 2006 (Pyry 2007:14). According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE), Australia exported 4880400 bone dry tonnes of broadleaved or hardwood woodchips in 200607. 4319100 bone dry tonnes (88.5%) of this were exported to Japan (ABARE 2008:81). Therefore, 561300 bone dry tonnes were not exported to Japan. Of Australias total, Tasmania exported 2134800 bone dry tonnes of hardwood woodchips. Even if all the hardwood woodchips not exported to Japan (561300 bone dry tonnes) came from Tasmania, then there were still 2134800 minus 561300 bone dry tonnes exported from Tasmania to Japan. Therefore at least 1573500 bone dry tonnesor 3147000 green metric tonnesof hardwood woodchips were exported from Tasmania to Japan in 200607. Therefore at least 73.7% of all Tasmanian woodchips that were exported in 200607 went to Japan.
 The term broadleaved indicates flowering trees as opposed to coniferous trees. Broadleaf and hardwood are synonomous.  This report has adopted the convention that one bone dry tonne is equal to two green metric tonnes (ANU Forestry 1997:1).

But what quantities of these woodchips were sourced from regrowth native forests and what quantities were sourced from non-regrowth native forests containing mature or RFA oldgrowth trees? The quantity of non-regrowth woodchips planned for extraction from publicly owned native forests in 200607 was 1391200 green metric tonnes, or 695600 bone dry tonnes. Even if all the woodchips exported to destinations other than Japan consisted of non-regrowth, there would still be a balance of 695600 minus 561300 bone dry tonnes exported to Japan. Therefore at least 134300 bone dry tonnesor 268600 green metric tonnesof non-regrowth woodchips sourced from public forests would have been exported from Tasmania to Japan in 200607. Unless Gunns separates its non-regrowth pulpwood into separate piles, RFA oldgrowth woodchips are mixed with woodchips from mature trees and other non-regrowth sources. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that all exports of non-regrowth woodchips include RFA oldgrowth woodchips. In the absolute lowest-case scenario, approximately 20% of all non-regrowth woodchips extracted from public land in Tasmania in 200607 (including RFA oldgrowth woodchips) were consumed by the Japanese pulp-and-paper industry. In a highest case scenario, Japan would consume 100% of Tasmanias RFA oldgrowth woodchips. An equally plausible scenario is that the proportion of Tasmanian woodchips exported to Japan (73.7%) applies across all age classes of woodchipssie that over 70% of Tasmanian oldgrowth woodchips are exported to Japan.
55

Japan is clearly a significant consumer of Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth woodchips.

oldgrowth forests (MPM 2005). This commitment was warmly welcomed by conservationists. This means that larger Japanese consumers of Gunns woodchips, including Nippon and Oji, are also in a position to reject woodchips that are sourced from logging coupes that contain RFA oldgrowth and highconservation-value forests. Japan is expected to continue to dominate the Asia Pacific hardwood woodchip trade in the forseeable future (Pyry 2007:14). If the Japanese consumers reject such woodchips then the probability of protecting RFA oldgrowth and high-conservation-value forests is increased dramatically. The influence of Japanese paper companies in the future of Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests will be even greater if Gunns succeeds in building its proposed pulp mill, provided that Gunns and the Government adhere to their promises not to pulp oldgrowth in the mill. If the pulp mill doesnt go ahead, the Japanese pulp-and-paper industry can still play a major role in protecting Tasmanias environment and future by rejecting woodchips that come from RFA oldgrowth and other high-conservation-value forests.

3.5 The role of Japanese pulp-andpaper companies in the logging of Tasmanian RFA oldgrowth forests
Japanese pulp-and-paper companies such as Nippon, Oji, Daio and Mitsubishi have historically been the biggest consumers of woodchips exported from Tasmanian native forests. In recent years, the role played by those companies has become more widely known, resulting in requests for them to avoid taking woodchips from areas of RFA oldgrowth or highconservation-value forests. There has been a variety of responses from the companies concerned. In March 2004, Nippon wrote to the Tasmanian Government, urging it to resolve the debate over the logging of Tasmanias oldgrowth forests (Nippon 2004) (see Appendix D). In April 2004, conservationists (including the Wilderness Society and Greenpeace) met with Mitsubishi Paper Mills (MPM) to discuss the issue of oldgrowth forests. Following the meeting, MPM wrote to the conservation groups, saying that it planned to source its woodchips from regrowth and plantations and stated that MPM does not condone unsustainable logging from oldgrowth or high-conservation-value forests in Tasmania (MPM 2004) (see Appendix D). In 2005, MPM issued a statement saying in effect (or substantially) that it would not consume woodchips from Tasmanian
56

3.6 Recommendations to Japanese pulp-and-paper companies

The Wilderness Society and Still Wild Still Threatened recommend that Japanese pulpand-paper companies:

4.

Reject woodchips sourced from coupes listed in Schedule 5 of the Long Term Wood Supply Agreement between Gunns and Forestry Tasmania (FT/Gunns 2007:44). The majority of these coupes contain RFA oldgrowth forest.

1. 2.

Reject any woodchips sourced from RFA oldgrowth or high-conservationvalue forests in Tasmania. Publish on their websites all chain-of-custody information relating to sources of woodchips, including woodchips from Tasmania. That will allow independent verification that the wood is coming from sustainable sources that do not include oldgrowth forests or areas of high conservation-value. Seek sources of woodchips that have Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. In relation to FSC controlled wood, currently it is our advice that the only wood that can meet the controlled wood standard is wood that comes from established hardwood and softwood plantations. Verification that controlled wood is exclusively sourced from established plantations would need to be strictly audited. This is because highconservation-value forests continue to be used as a source of woodchips.

3.

 The FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organisation established to promote the responsible management of the worlds forests. It provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for companies and organisations interested in responsible forestry. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations (FSC 2008a). FSC Controlled Wood is mixed with FSC certified material to become part of a product that can be sold carrying the FSC label. Products are referred to as FSC Mixed Sources. FSC controlled wood can not be sourced from the following five unacceptable origins: 1. Illegally harvested wood; 2. Wood harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights; 3. Wood harvested in forests in which High Conservation Values (areas particularly worth of protection) are threatened through management activities; 4. Wood harvested from conversion of natural forests; 5. Wood harvested from areas where genetically modified trees are planted (FSC 2008b).

Logging coupe FO044A, February 2006 / Photo: Geoff Law

57

Threatened forest in the Upper Florentine valley, surrounded by the mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area / Photo: Kip Nunn

References
ABARE (2008). Australian Forest and Wood Product StatisticsSeptember and December quarters 2007. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Canberra. http://www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/afwps/afwps_ 08/afwps_may08.pdf Accessed on 19 June, 2008. AFS (2007). Forest managementEconomic, social, environmental and cultural criteria and requirements for wood production (known as The Australian Forestry Standard). Australian Forestry Standard Ltd, Canberra. http://www.forestrystandard. org.au/files/4708.pdf Accessed on 4 December, 2008. ANU Forestry (1997).  Pulplog PricesMarket Report 2 December 1997. Department of Forestry, Australian National University. http://fennerschoolassociated.anu.edu.au/marketreport/report02.pdf Accessed on 12 August, 2008. AP (2008a).  Wesley Vale and Burnie Mills: Communicating with the Community. Australian Paper website. http://www.australianpaper.com.au/mills_wv_b.htm Accessed on 25 July, 2008. AP (2008b). Environs: Our commitment to sustainability. The facts and figures. Australian Paper, Mount Waverley. Clark, N. (2007). Price up for mill timber. The Mercury. 20 October, 2007:15. CoA (1997a). Options for the TasmanianCommonwealth Regional Forest Agreement: A Strategic Approach. TasmaniaCommonwealth Joint Steering Committee. April 1997, Hobart. CoA (1997b). World Heritage Report: Record of the Tasmanian World Heritage Expert Panel meeting and a Preliminary analysis of the forest and mineral resources in areas identified by Panel, RFA, Background Report Part 1. Commonwealth of Australia. June 1997. Hobart. CoA (2008). National Inventory Report 2006 Vol. 2, Part C. The Australian Government Submission to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change June 2008. Department of Climate Change, The Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. http://www.climatechange.gov.au/inventory/2006/pubs/inventory2006nationalreportv2c.pdf Accessed on 15 August, 2008.

CoA/TasGovt (1997). Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement. The Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Tasmania. 8 November 1997. Hobart and Canberra. CoA/TasGovt (2005). Supplementary Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement. The Commonwealth of Australia and The State of Tasmania. 13 May 2005. Hobart and Canberra. CoA/TasGovt (2006). Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement Progress Report 30 May 2005 to 30 June 2006. The Commonwealth of Australia and The State of Tasmania. CoA/TasGovt (2007). Sustainability Indicators for Tasmanian Forests 20012006. Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Tasmania, May 2007. http://www.ffic. com.au/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=90&Itemid=174 Accessed on 3 August, 2008. Darby, A. (2007). Gunns and Forestry Tasmania agree on logging. The Age. 20 October, 2007. http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/gunns-and-forestrytasmania-agree-on-logging/2007/10/19/1192301045759.html Accessed on 12 August, 2008. Denholm, M. (2007). Chip off the old blockade. The Weekend Australian. 2728 October, 2007. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,22653990-28737,00. html?from=public_rss Accessed on 12 August, 2008. DPWH (1990). The Appropriate Boundaries of a World Heritage Area in Western Tasmania. Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage, Hobart. FFIC (1990). Report of the Panel of Experts of the Conservation Technical Working Group. Forests and Forest Industry Council, Hobart. FPA (2007). The Annual Report of the Forest Practices Authority 200607. Forest Practices Authority, Hobart. http://www.fpa.tas.gov.au/fileadmin/user_upload/ PDFs/General/FPA_Annual_Report_0607_18_Nov.pdf FPB (2005). The Annual Report of the Forest Practices Board 20042005. Forest Practices Board, Hobart. FSC (2008a). About the Forest Stewardship Council. Forest Stewardship Council website. http://www.fsc.org/about-fsc.html Accessed on 4 August, 2008.

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FSC (2008b). FSC Controlled Wood. Forest Stewardship Council website. http://www.fsc.org/ cw.html?&0= Accessed on 4 August, 2008. FSC (2008c). FSC and Biodiversity 2: High conservation value forests. Forest Stewardship Council website. http://www.fsc.org/152. html Accessed on 5 August, 2008. FT (2004). Annual Report 20032004. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. FT (2005). Annual Report 20042005. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. FT (2006a). Annual Report 20052006. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. FT (2006b). Finalising Formal and Informal Reserve Boundaries for the Supplementary Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. May, 2006. http://www.forestrytas.com.au/ uploads/File/pdf/reserves.pdf Accessed on 5 August, 2008. FT (2006c). 200607 to 200809 Three Year Wood Production Plans. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. FT (2007a). Sustainable High Quality Eucalypt Sawlog Supply from Tasmanian State forest, Review No. 3. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. http://www.forestrytas. com.au/uploads/File/pdf/SustSupply_RevNo3_100. pdf Accessed on 31 July, 2008. FT (2007b). Annual Report 20062007. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. http://www.forestrytas.com.au/ uploads/File/pdf/Forestry%20Tasmania%20Annual%2 0Report%202007.pdf Accessed on 20 July, 2008. FT (2007c). 200708 to 200910 Three Year Wood Production Plans. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.
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FT (2007d). 20078 to 200910 Three Year Wood Production Plans for the Derwent District. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. http://www.forestrytas.com.au/ forest-management/3yp/derwent-district Accessed on 2 January, 2008. FT (2007e). Interview with Bob Gordon and Paul Lennon regarding the Pulp Mill Wood Supply Agreement. http://www.forestrytas.com.au/ news/2007/10/pulp-mill-wood-supply Accessed on 31 July, 2008. FT (2007f). Sustainable Forest Management. 2007 Report. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. http://www. forestrytas.com.au/uploads/File/pdf/sfm_annual_ report_2007.pdf Accessed on 12 August, 2008. FT (2008). Proposed Sustainability Charter. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart. http://www.forestrytas.com. au/uploads/File/pdf/Forest_Management_Plan. pdf Accessed on 11 August, 2008. FT/Gunns (2007). Long Term Pulpwood Supply Agreement. Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Limited. 20 December, 2007, Hobart. http://www.forestrytas.com. au/uploads/File/pdf/Gunns%20LTPSA.pdf Accessed on 30 July, 2008. Gunns (2004). Annual Report20032004. Gunns Limited. Launceston. Gunns (2005). Annual Report20042005. Gunns Limited. Launceston. Gunns (2006a). Annual Report20052006. Gunns Limited. Launceston.

Gunns (2006b). Bell Bay Pulp MillDraft Integrated Impact Statement. Gunns Limited, Launceston. http:// www.gunnspulpmill.com.au/iis/default.php Accessed on 4 August, 2008. Gunns (2006c). Pulpwood Supply. Vol. 14. Bell Bay Pulp MillDraft Integrated Impact Statement. Gunns Limited, Launceston. http://www.gunnspulpmill.com. au/iis/V14/V14_A38.pdf Accessed on 4 September, 2008. Gunns (2007). Preliminary Final Report and Statement on Behalf of the Board of Directors. Letter to the Manager of the Company Announcements Platform, Australian Stock Exchange. Gunns Limited, Launceston. 30 August, 2007. Gunns (2008b). The inconvenient truth: The facts the Greens did not want you to know about the pulp mill. Gunns Limited, Launceston. www.gunnspulpmill.com. au/factsheets/The_Inconvenient_Truth.pdf Accessed on 18 June, 2008. Gunns (2008b). 2008 Financial Statements. Company Announcements Platform, Australian Stock Exchange. Gunns Limited, Launceston. 4 September, 2008. http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20080904/pdf/ 31c4b2qn4gnwhs.pdf Accessed on 11 September, 2008. Harris, S. and Kitchener, A. (Eds.) (2005). From forest to fjaeldmark : descriptions of Tasmanias vegetation. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Printing Authority of Tasmania. Hobart. Herrmann, W. (2006). Vulnerability of Tasmanian Giant Trees. Australian Forestry. 69: 4. 285298.

Hitchcock, Peter (2008). Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site: Review and Evaluation of Critical Forest Issues. OC Consulting. January, 2008. IUCN (1989). World Heritage Nomination IUCN Technical Evaluation 507, Tasmanian Wilderness (Australia). International Union for Conservation of Nature, Gland. IUCN (1990). Resolution 18.70. 18th Session of the General Assembly, Perth. 28th November5th December 1990. http://www.iucn.org/congress/2004/ documents/IUCN_previous_Congress_outputs_ en.pdf Accessed on 29 July 2008. JANIS (1997). Nationally agreed criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests in Australia. Joint ANZECCMCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee, Canberra. Keenan, R. and Ryan, M. Old Growth forests in Australia: Conservation status and significance for timber production. Science for decision makers. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. http://www.affashop.gov.au/product. asp?prodid=13354 Accessed on 8 June 2008. Kirkpatrick, J. (2004). Statement by Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick. Protecting Forests, Growing Jobs. The Wilderness Society and the Australian Conservation Foundation. Hobart, Tasmania. Montreal Process Implementation Group for Australia (2008). Australias State of the Forests Report 2008. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra. http://adl.brs.gov.au/forestsaustralia/_pubs/ sofr2008reduced.pdf Accessed on 14 June, 2008.

MPM (2004). Letter from Mitsubishi Corporation to Greenpeace Japan and The Wilderness Society. 14 May, 2007. MPM (2005). Policy on Conservation and Creation of Forest ResourcesThe procurement of wood and the development of products. Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited, 1 June, 2005. Nippon (2004). Letter from Takahiko Miyoshi, President of Nippon Paper Industries to the Honourable Mr Paul Lennon, Premier of Tasmania. 9 March, 2004. http://www.np-g.com/e/whatsnew/ whatsnew040401.pdf Accessed on 6 August, 2008. Norske Skog (2007). Sustainability Report 07. Norske Skog, Oksenyveien. http://www.norskeskog.com/ Sustainability/Environment/Reports/Environmentalreports.aspx Accessed on 3 August, 2008. Norske Skog (2008). About Us: Boyer Mill. http://old. norskeskog.com/dt_full.asp?gid=528&aid=&tgid=516 &mgid=518&amid=10611&g528=x&g526=x&g518=x &g516=x Accessed on 30 July, 2008. PFT (2007). Annual Report 20062007. Private Forests Tasmania, Hobart. http://www.privateforests.tas. gov.au/publications/annual_reports Accessed on 1September, 2008. PNEB (2008). National Environment Sustainability Plan 2006-2010 (Newsprint). Publishers National Environment Bureau. http://www.pneb.com.au/news/ backnews_sustainplan.html Accessed on 29 August, 2008.

Pyry (2007). Review of Structural Assistance Program for Tasmanian Forest Contractors as proposed by the Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association (TFCA)Final Report for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Pyry Forest Industry. 19 December, 2007. http://www.daff.gov. au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/701204/review_of_ structural_assist_prog_report.pdf Accessed on 10 August. Rao, K., Lopoukhine, N. and Jones, K. (2008). Annexe E: Forest Reservation Status. Tasmanian Wilderness (Australia): Report of the Reactive Monitoring Mission, 15 to 20 March, 2008., UNESCO, IUCN-WCPA, ICOMOS. Paris. Ryan, Tom (1999). A Review of Log Segregation and Utilisation in Tasmania. Forests and Forest Industry Council. Hobart, April, 1999. Smartfibre (2008a). Were plantation based Andrew Wye, Smartfibre. FEA Video online. http:// www.forestenterprise.com/_imageLibrary/File/FEA_ Tasmania.wmv Accessed on 5 August, 2008. Smartfibre (2008b). About Smartfibre. Forest Enterprises Australia website. http://www.fealtd.com/ feasf/index.php Accessed on 5 August, 2008.

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APPENDIX A
Definition of high-conservation-value forests
High-conservation-value forests can be defined as forests that have one or more of the following characteristics:

rare, threatened or endangered, or contain centres of endemism; oldgrowth; forested wilderness; rainforest (including those with emergent eucalypts); undisturbed/negligibly disturbed mature forests; highly (biologically) productive; identified as core habitats for local endemic, rare, threatened and endangered species; identified as having World Heritage or National Heritage value; located in areas with steep climate gradients; form part of domestic supply or Wild River water catchments; refugia and/or of evolutionary significance; significant carbon stores; and areas of high cultural and social significance.

Source: The Wilderness Society National Forests and Woodlands Policy, 2005

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Table 1: List of coupes in state forest that contain RFA oldgrowth forests due to be logged between 20072010.
COUPE AR002B AR009B AR034C BB019D BD003C BD005E BD028H BD030A BD060A BD062E BF009E BF043E BH001A BI013H BI033A BN107C BO093A BO093A BO093A BO241B BS107L BS110D BS110D BS114E BS118L BS122D BS123E BS124D BT007A BT009D BT010D AREA HA 38 30 8 15 40 30 5 16 55 10 60 15 80 61 16 10 30 30 30 24 46 45 20 50 25 30 55 55 85 35 50 COUPE BT012A BW121E CD103C CD115B CE332W CO005G CO007B CO008A CO008A CO010B CO010G CO012B CR162J CZ056A DN010P DN019H DP030B DU013A DU013A DU013G DU013G DU014F DU014G DU014G DU019F DU019F DU020C DU021A DU021A DU021B EC049B AREA HA 65 55 90 65 25 0 50 41 41 44 80 60 25 105 12 44 35 20 24 35 38 40 20 30 20 6 46 33 27 40 36 COUPE EC050C EP004F EP030B EP031E EV023A EV027A FL104D FO023F FO042E FO044A FO044A FR017B FR018B FR018C FR039A FR039A FR039B GA120U GC139B GC164A KA004B KA004C KA008B KD022E KD023E LD020H LH111F LR431Y LT226W LT228X LU008B AREA HA 85 37 15 50 53 75 30 70 30 15 30 25 36 15 35 21 45 50 40 38 50 20 20 46 24 29 12 8 30 24 30 COUPE MB015B MC032A MD098B MD102A MD102B MF068B MF068D MF074A MF074A MM015A MM025B MZ124Q MZ127Y MZ134Y MZ138Y NA020C NH018D NW006B NW011A NW011D NW011E NW011F NW011G NW011H NW011I PA143B PC070E RD010B RE001G RP011A RP011G AREA HA 64 76 32 43 26 42 74 150 700 108 0 20 30 69 40 55 29 60 100 25 90 40 24 100 22 30 30 18 14 49 66 COUPE RP016A RP016C RP029B RP034A RP034A RP034G RP034H RP036B RP036H RS113M RS113M RS124H RS137M RS141K RT229D RU001M RU026D RU030B RU030B RU030C RU030C SA024B SA045H SA124C SA131D SA140F SH046B SH050C SH056A SH069B SH069C AREA HA 25 40 50 80 44 65 60 35 29 55 25 40 35 65 40 25 46 10 40 15 51 50 90 35 15 46 126 47 132 28 87 COUPE SH069E SH069J SH080A SH081A SH081B SH085D SH085E SH087B SR021D SR054B SR138C SR138E SR138I SU020B SW047A SW112C SX008D SX009B SX009C SX010F SX011B SX014C SX020A SX020G SX021C SX028B SX028C SX031B SX032B SX038A TE004E AREA HA 45 19 33 54 73 22 20 102 25 29 6 14 12 15 103 147 25 40 43 30 20 41 70 37 22 25 40 50 50 40 70 COUPE TE006F TE009C TG002B TG003C TG012D TG014A TG017C TI002A TI003E TI011A TI011E TN012C TN017F TN021B TN026B TN045B TN046A TN048A TN049A TN050A TN062D TN062F TN065A TN065C TN065C TN065E TN066A TN067D TN068G TO006F TO024B AREA HA 80 21 65 36 48 60 21 17 25 12 46 25 45 22 74 62 69 25 35 14 53 68 50 30 30 55 30 70 55 22 125 COUPE TO055G TO103A TP012A TP013B TP024D TU490Q TY032A UR098A WA021A WE002F WE003C WE016E WE030E WE031B WE034D WE038A WE039B WH018A WR015F WR015F WR016A WW003C WW032A WW033A WW050A WW051D WW051D AREA HA 88 0 35 45 50 60 60 35 200 0 15 21 50 22 20 40 15 46 1 20 20 40 35 30 39 8 37

64

Table 2 : List of coupes in state forest that contain high conservation value forest due to be logged between 20072010.
COUPE AR002B AR009B AS107U AS107U AS119W AS121A BB016E BB018A BB019D BB021C BB024A BB025A BB025B BF043E BI013E BI013H BI032C BI033A BI034F BI034G BI034I BK001A BO092A BO093A BO093A BO093A BO102A BS101F BS108L BS109C BS110D AREA HA 38 30 40 30 25 11 20 40 15 10 26 25 35 15 45 61 206 16 95 40 13 24 10 30 30 30 30 32 22 51 45 COUPE BS110D BS114H BS115H BS116D BS119F BS126D BS127C BT006G BT007A BT008B BT009B BT009D BT010D BT012A BW109A BW111A BW121C BW121E BW121H CA161B CC160A CD103C CD106F CD118B CF013B CF013C CF020A CF022B CF023C CF029B CF032C AREA HA 20 25 82 34 55 80 90 70 85 20 60 35 50 65 65 75 98 55 65 35 31 90 82 90 80 65 54 35 20 40 30 COUPE CF040A CF044A CF046A CF048B CH015H CH016B CH019A CH041D CH041E CH042A CL365C CO007B CO008A CO008A CO010B CO010G CO012B CR184X CZ056A DN010P DU011A DU013A DU013A DU013B DU013C DU013G DU013G DU014F DU014G DU014G DU019F AREA HA 25 50 65 28 26 15 48 50 23 12 30 50 41 41 44 80 60 40 105 12 41 20 24 80 64 35 38 40 20 30 20 COUPE DU019F DU020C DU021A DU021A DU021B DU029B EM008C EM008D EP004F EP030B EP031E EV013B EV020C EV023A EV025A EV027A EV106C FD039B FD039E FD047C FL104B FL104D FL105C FL106G FL112D FL112E FO042E FO044A FO044A FO044E FR007A AREA HA 6 46 33 27 40 40 37 18 37 15 50 0 140 53 120 75 55 9 26 30 40 30 70 22 44 30 30 15 30 24 22 COUPE FR011A FR013A FR014A FR015B FR017B FR018B FR018C FR023D FR026B FR039A FR039A FR039B GC104A GC110D GC139B GC145A GC145B GC148A GC164A GL205A GL208A GL208C GL215C GL216A GL216C HA011A HA043B HA043F HU311G HU323Y KA011C AREA HA 22 45 75 20 25 36 15 30 30 35 21 45 86 70 40 40 69 55 38 50 65 65 62 100 100 51 31 40 75 10 40 COUPE LG001A LI116A LI136A LR418B LR418X LR422B LR431Y LR435U LR435V LR437D LR437E LT193Y LT194V LT194W LT216W LT218Y LT226W LU008B LU038A LU040F MA107D MA108A MA114L MB007C MB011D MD098B MD102A MD102B MF019A MF020A MF020D AREA HA 13 40 40 80 40 20 8 30 50 30 26 30 26 45 5 50 30 30 42 60 87 60 81 40 55 32 43 26 85 85 95 COUPE MF037A MF047C MF057A MF059A MF059A MF073C MF074A MF074A MF080A MF080B MN012A NI114A NL111E NL111F NL112B NL118H NL119D NL119G NL120D NV002A NW004I NW006B NW011A NW011D NW011E NW011F NW011G NW011H NW011I PA127A PA128A AREA HA 140 50 120 100 100 100 150 700 100 41 30 120 120 950 40 165 96 20 70 155 14 60 100 25 90 40 24 100 22 34 62 COUPE PA136B PA143B PC008A PC013D PC018E PC023A PC027A PC030D PC030E PC043C PC070E PC084G PC085A PL001A PL003B PL003D PL003D PL005D PL009B PL014G PL015D RD010B RD018E RM465H RM465J RM465K RM476Y RM481D RP034A RP034A RP034G AREA HA 100 30 23 45 62 62 35 20 30 40 30 30 45 62 50 35 35 44 48 30 86 18 25 22 30 10 58 20 80 44 65

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Table 2 (continued): List of coupes in state forest that contain high conservation value forest due to be logged between 2007 2010.
COUPE RP034H RP036B RP036H RR186G RR187D RS113M RS113M RS118B RS122J RS122J RS130E RS133F RS136C RS136E RS136G RS141K RS146F RU019C RU023F RU030B RU030B RU030C RU030C RU034F RU047E RU049D RU049D SA012B SA013E SA037A SA043A AREA HA 60 35 29 20 20 55 25 50 40 10 60 30 70 52 36 65 60 30 37 10 40 15 51 85 14 12 14 80 50 47 60 COUPE SA045H SA045J SB010B SB012B SB017B SB038A SF114A SH022D SH046B SH050C SH056A SH085D SH085E SO013C SO032B SO034C SO046C SR026G SR032A SR036A SR068A SR113A SR117A SR117D SR117F SR122A SR124A SR124B SR138B SR138C SR138D AREA HA 90 32 23 30 26 10 39 34 126 47 132 22 20 20 20 9 44 56 35 55 34 42 23 18 23 55 14 18 7 6 13 COUPE SR138E SR138F SR138G SR138H SR138I SR139A SU020B SU035B SW112C SX008B SX008D SX009B SX009C SX010F SX011B SX014C SX019F SX020A SX020G SX021C SX021E SX025G SX028B SX028C SX028E SX031B SX032B SX035J SX036F SX039D SY003C AREA HA 14 14 14 12 12 47 15 25 147 35 25 40 43 30 20 41 30 70 37 22 20 51 25 40 63 50 50 60 74 66 70 COUPE SY008B SY008C SY016B TA016D TA017B TE004E TE012B TE020B TE021C TE023D TE023E TE024D TE032A TG002B TG003C TG003E TG004B TG006D TG016A TG016E TG017C TG019A TI002A TI003E TN012C TN017B TN017F TN020F TN021B TN025C TN026A AREA HA 25 25 60 48 37 70 21 19 35 10 35 40 18 65 36 40 40 70 12 52 21 92 17 25 25 23 45 40 22 19 40 COUPE TN026B TN026C TN026C TN029A TN035D TN042E TN044B TN045A TN045B TN046A TN046B TN047A TN047C TN048A TN049A TN050A TN050E TN050G TN061A TN062D TN062F TN065A TN065C TN065C TN065E TN066A TN066B TN067D TO006F TO024B TO055G AREA HA 74 25 25 18 31 20 41 45 62 69 52 35 17 25 35 14 60 0 55 53 68 50 30 30 55 30 37 70 22 125 88 COUPE TO103A TU490J TU490Q TU490Y TY004D TY005D TY020B TY024A TY032A TY036A TY038A TY042N UR019A UR084A UR098A WC216W WC292Y WH018A WR016A WW041B AREA HA 0 28 60 50 35 50 25 55 60 25 80 38 100 50 35 10 35 46 20 45

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APPENDIX B
Derwent surveyfield notes
Date: Survey team: GENERAL COUPE HECTARES HOW TO GET THERE Clear instructions using odometer readings from towns, main roads, landmarks etc. DISTANCE FROM HOBART OR HUONVILLE AESTHETICS eg. view consistency to protected areas etc

TREE HEIGHTS, DIAMETERS (breast height and ages approx)

CREEKS OR WATERWAYS (size and GPS location)

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SIGNS OF ACTIVITY eg. fresh tracks, new roads, machinery, taping of coupe boundaries etc. (record colour of tape and GPS coordinate) VALUES VEGETATION COMMUNITY Outline vegetation types. Describe any broad changes to vegetation throughout the area with GPS co-ordinates. GRADIENT OF SLOPE

DOMINANT TREE SPECIES Record species, age, height, girth (diameter at chest height), giant possibility. GPS points for noteworthy examples. UNDERSTOREY COMPOSITION Key species.

RECENT DISTURBANCE eg. logging, fire, 4WD

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GEOMORPHOLOGY eg. cliffs, outcrops, bluffs, caves, rock overhangs. Be conscious of changes in geology. eg: rock types, soil types. The Forest Practices Code notes to look for: - karsts occurring within 5km downstream - sinkholes, caves, or sinking watercourses present in karst areas or 5km downstream Some areas will have geomorphological features that need to be searched for and have pre-existing directions/ notes. INDIGENOUS HERITAGE The Forest Practices Code specifies the indicators of high sensitivity zones for Aboriginal artefacts as follows: - any flat and relatively well drained land within 500 m of Class 1, 2, or 3 watercourses; - forested margins of heath, button grass or native grassland plains, marshlands, lakes or coasts; - areas with sandstone cliffs; - major continuous ridgelines; - natural river crossings in hilly areas; - karst areas; - mature stands of E. gunnii; - outcrops of quartz, fine grained quartzites, cherts, spongolite or chalcedony. Look for rock overhangs and stone artefacts - Look for hard stone of different type to surrounding rocks - Broken stones and tools in areas of rock outcrops of hard stone and around fertile places. eg. plains, eddies.

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EUROPEAN HERITAGE Anything that points to early European activity. eg. tram or train lines, walking tracks, trails, any indicators of occupancy/use (building remains etc)

FAUNA Record all sightings of: wedge tailed eagles, goshawks, swift parrots, quolls, eastern barred bandicoots and devils. Record sightings of tracks and scat for the above fauna.

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APPENDIX C
Notional Sawn Recovery and Cost Figures conversion table (Ryan 1999: 61).
Mill door Log Cost per m3 (100km Log Quality haul) Prime Cat 1 Average Cat 1 Average Cat 3 Good Cat 2 Poor Cat 2 Average Cat 8 Components of Sawn Product Cost $/m3 Recovery Select & Utility Grade* Woodchips Mill Door Log Cost Processing Cost (incl. Seasoning) Total Dressed Cost

$70 $70 $60 $60 $60 $55

32% 28% 22% 18% 12% 8%

4550% 5055% 5560% 5560% 6570% 7075%

$219 $250 $273 $333 $500 $688

$475 $485 $495 $505 $530 $530

$694 $735 $768 $835 $1030 $1218

* Tasmanian eucalypts have high shrinkage so that recoveries are based on oversizing the required final dressed dried dimension to allow shrinkage loss and for dressing.

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APPENDIX D
Letter from Mitsubishi Corporation to Greenpeace and The Wilderness Society, 14 May 2004

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Letter from Nippon Paper Industries to Tasmanian Premier, 9 March 2004

73