What’s Happening
The Panama Forest, along with 39,000 hectares of native forest in Tasmania, has been flagged for logging by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Government and Sustainable Timber Tasmania have begun a collaboration to transfer 39,000 hectares of current reserved native forest into a classification that would allow for logging at short notice. This follows the Liberal Government’s 2024 State election promise to ‘unlock the woodbanks’ for logging. The areas that are at risk of being logged include Ben Lomond, Mount Barrow, Mount Arthur, Pyengana, Mt Victoria, and the Panama Forest—home to the Panama Festival.
All these native forests were assigned protection status in the 2012 ‘Tasmanian Forest agreements’ where the forestry industry was paid out to not have them logged. However, in 2014, the Liberals reclassified these as Future Potential Production Forests. Right to Information documents reveal that the land includes more than 6,000 hectares of old-growth forest. These forests provide habitat for endangered species such as the wedge-tailed eagle, Tasmanian devil, and swift parrot, hold profound socio-cultural values, and provide ecosystem services such as filtering drinking water and carbon sequestration.
The plan, which requires parliamentary approval, has sparked opposition from conservation groups and the Greens, who warn that it undermines efforts to protect Tasmania’s native forests. The Wilderness Society and BirdLife Australia have criticised the secrecy surrounding the proposal and argue that Tasmania should transition to plantation-based forestry instead of expanding native logging.
If you’d like to read more about it, here are a few links.
These articles provide some key details:
Maps reveal parts of protected Tasmanian native forest that could be opened to logging
Documents reveal plans to make 39,000 hectares of native Tasmanian forest available for logging
What Can you do?
Write to key Decision makers.
At this stage, we believe that driving a letter-writing campaign will mean that decision-makers are aware that the Panama Forest is an important community asset worthy of protection.
Who can you write to?
Jeremy Rockliff
Jeremy Rockliff is the Premier of Tasmania.
You can write to Premier Rockliff here: jeremy.rockliff@dpac.tas.gov.au
Dean Winter
Dean Winter is the Labor Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania.
You can write to Dean Winter here: dean.winter@parliament.tas.gov.au
Eric Abetz
Eric Abetz is a member of the Tasmanian Liberal Government. He is the Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, the Minister for Transport and the Leader of the House in Tasmania.
You can write to Minister Abetz here: eric.abetz@dpac.tas.gov.au
Janie Finlay is a member of the state Labor Party and the Member for Bass.
You can write to Janie Finlay here: janie.finlay@parliament.tas.gov.au
Julie Collins
Julie Collins is a member of the Federal Labor Government and Member for Franklin. She is the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Minister for Small Business.
You can write to Minister Collins here: julie.collins.mp@aph.gov.au
Steve Whiteley serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
Steve can be emailed directly on: steve.whiteley@sttas.com.au
Tips for writing your email
Keep it short and simple and stay on topic.
Briefly introduce who you are and why you are writing: "I'm a small business owner and grandparent of five, and I’m very concerned about plans to log the Panama Forest.”
Make a clear demand. “I’m calling for the Panama Forest to be permanently protected.”
Highlight the reasons why you're concerned.
Sign off and restate what you're asking for.
Example Letter
If you use Google Docs, you can access a draft letter that you can make your own here.
Otehrwise tyou can copy and paste from the example draft below. Add your own personal story and make it your own.
Dear [Insert the name and role of the person you are writing to],
My name is [Insert your name]. [Insert a line about who you are. For example, I live and work in Launceston; I am an engaged voter and member of the Panama Festival community.] I write to express my grave concerns over plans to log the Panama forest and the expansion of native forest logging into other reserves.
I am calling for the Panama forest to be permanently protected. Below, I outline the four main reasons I believe the Panama forest deserves protection.
1: Ecological Significance
The Panama Forest provides refuge for an array of native species in an area dominated by agricultural and forestry land use. The Panama forest provides critical habitat for wedge-tailed eagles, Tasmanian devils, quolls, wombats, echidnas, platypuses and many other species. In addition, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity supports ecological stability.
2. The PANAMA Forest is very important to the local community
Beyond its ecological role, the Panama forest holds profound cultural value. It serves as the backdrop to the annual Panama Festival, a highly regarded event that brings together artists, audiences, and local communities to celebrate creativity and connection within this stunning natural environment.
3. Economic Significance
Protecting the Panama forest also makes sound economic sense. The Panama Festival drives sustainable tourism to Tasmania, benefiting local businesses, creating jobs, and showcasing the region's natural beauty. Moreover, intact forests provide ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water purification, soil conservation and beneficial insects, which hold long-term economic value.
4. Intrinsic Value
Finally, Tasmania’s native forests have intrinsic worth that transcends their measurable benefits. The sheer existence of such an ecosystem enriches our shared human experience and underscores the moral obligation to preserve the natural world for future generations.
In conclusion, I strongly urge the [government/agency] to implement measures to secure the long-term protection of the Panama Forest.
With deep concern,
[Insert your name]