Nice one!
I wonder how much Forestry is losing in the “Hollybank Treetops Adventure” as well! Forestry views tourism with a very 1970’s outlook, sort of reflects their business approach as well, doesn’t it.

Forestry Tasmania’s Dismal failure does not deserve the name ‘Tarkine Forest Adventures’. With FT’s involvement it is blight on the name and reputation of the beautiful Tarkine.

In fact, in our opinion, FT shouldn’t be in the business of eco-tourism what so ever. It is a direct contradiction to what they are in the business of, that being, wrecko-eco-tourism. (Based on first hand experience on the fringes of the Tarkine).

Ken Jeffreys said, (ABC online), “It is true that under our operating model, with our overheads, that we haven’t been able to make a financial success story of the Tarkine.” …. “We think that in different hands it can move forward ….”

So all the promises regarding Dismal Swamp (i.e. money and jobs) never came to fruition eh? Apparently not sustainable. Surprise, surprise! We would love to go down the slide, as many we know would, but whilst ever FT has ANY involvement, that will never happen. FT’s involvement, no matter how small or large, is the problem. FT has a terrible reputation… it’s that simple! No matter the spin, people still have eyes and ears and can, more often than not these days, see the truth of what FT is really about for them selves. Take FT out of the hands of those such as Bob Gordon and Hans Drielsma, and their forest destroying legislation and dumb agreements, and completely revamp ALL of FT’s operating models, and ‘sustainability’ might actually get its proper meaning back.

Will FT only consider expressions of interest for their dismal enterprise, by those who want the Tarkine, brand destroying, loop road extension? It’s a pretty sure bet!

‘Energy and resources Minister David Llewellyn said private investment in the area would complement the Government’s proposal for a $23 million tourist road through the Tarkine.’ (Mercury online)

It would appear FT want their cake and to eat it too. FT want their logging road, the accommodation, camping, tours, attractions, an FT blind siding propaganda house –  a one stop shop for everything – a monopoly on the Tarkine. How does this enrich and encourage other investment in the area for a variety of operators? It doesn’t.

What is the Labor government and FT in the business of?
a) Short selling the Tarkine.
b) Selling vote getting promises to a minority which fail to realise their potential, and obviously, such as Dismal Swamp, cost the public.
c) Encouraging a new investor to save them, and ultimately help push FT’s $23 million dream of their quicker, easy access to chip mill, logging road.
Answer – all of the above.

How can FT be pushing for accommodation when there is not yet approval for accommodation? How do they expect to get all the approvals done for potentially so many variations in such a short time? Are winks and nods tradable?

Meanwhile tourism icons and infrastructure are degrading around the area. The tourism potential in surrounding areas are clear felled and destroyed. All whilst the crying poor Labor government and Forestry Tasmania are still not prepared to pull their head out of the sand - for anything but a novel idea of getting their grubby little fingers into one of the last big tracts of temperate rainforest.

Let’s face it Labor and FT are on a dismal slide to no where as far as the Tarkine is concerned. The sooner they are completely out of there the better.

2; Your comment really strikes a chord C&C;. About ten years ago, when I was new to Tasmania, I sat in a car with a bunch of forestry management types and listened to a conversation about all this Myrtle in the NW that they’d love to get their hands on, but the time wasn’t right.
It’s only recently that I’ve made the connection.

That, (#2), is the most pathetic load of crap those two have ever written.

(4) Oh you furry little thing ... gorgeous George the woodworker, I shall bend at the knees to pat your dear little head! 

For sure, that comment will make me so meek and mild and keep me quiet. But I digress … didn’t I just learn very recently, some local stuff about how well respected you are. Is it true that you were no longer voted President of the woodworkers guild because there were a number who thought you were a dick head?

Now dear, I didn’t respond to your very nasty piece of work re Bob Brown on another thread, as you may have expected me to, but I have been very busy learning ‘insider’ info on the specialty timbers draft report. Catcha …

Re #5, I could suggest you apply your feeble wit to topics you have the capacity to understand, but I suppose that would be a very short list!
For the record, I have seved three terms as President of the Woodcraft Guild, but last year I decided not to nominate for the position, as the current President expressed the keenness to have a go. I continue to serve as a Committee member, and have nominated to continue in that capacity for the coming year, as well, and I continue to enjoy good support from among the Guild’s membership.
Which Special Timber report are you referring to? The study published and released in April, or the Draft Special Timbers Strategy currently open for comment? Or can’t you tell the difference?

That, (#6), seems to have shut ‘em up! I occasionally check for a response, but nup, nothin’!

(5)
    Funny that ! I heard exactly the same story, must have been some truth in it after all.
                          d.d.