The Wilderness Society (or more particularly Gavan McFadzean, one of its senior campaigners) needs a foot up the backside for its latest nonsense.
In an earlier edition of the Friends of the Earth publication Chain Reaction, FoE camaigner Anthony Amis presented a reasoned explanation for the community's disappointment with the actions of TWS in endorsing the flawed deal between the State Government and Hancock Victorian Plantations over the Strzeleckis Cores and Links.
Gavan McFadzean replied with an implausible defence of his actions. Here is the response to his tirade by Friends of Bass Valley Bush:
I can't let Gavan McFadzean's letter about the Strzeleckis in the last issue of Chain Reaction go unanswered. In a joint Wilderness Society (TWS) / Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) press release welcoming the secret deal negotiated by Minister Jennings and Hancock Victorian Plantations, Mr McFadzean said "We are pleased to see the Victorian Government moving to protect native forests in the Strzelecki Ranges."
In his latest response to comments by Anthony Amis from Friends of the Earth, Mr McFadzean made the statement that "the precious College Creek is under immediate threat from the chainsaws". But the destruction of College Creek is a direct result of his endorsement of the deal announced by the Government and the company. Under the previous agreement, which was part of the Government's platform prior to the last election, there was far greater protection – which of course is what the company wanted to water down once Minister Jennings was appointed. To give that 'deal' some level of credibility, the Minister's staff were desperate to find people willing to endorse it – and they found TWS and the VNPA.
The joint press release from VNPA and TWS was widely distributed by the company as proof of its environmental credentials. Interestingly VNPA has backed right away from its eager endorsement − but Gavan McFadzean still seems to think it's a good deal!
Phil Westwood
Friends of Bass Valley Bush Inc
Friends of Gippsland Bush also responded to Mr McFadzean. See more at
http://www.foe.org.au/resources/chain-reaction/editions/chain-reaction-106/letters-to-the-editor/
Also have a look a the front page of the Bassbush website to get some background about the Strzelecki 'deal'.
Tags:
friends of the earth, strzeleckis, the wilderness society
Posted at: 07:46 AM | Add Comment