Mutual Valley

[Grindelwalddave]

The Blue Derby track, predominately a mountain bike track in North East Tasmania has revitalised the town of Derby. Just as things are taking off Forestry Tasmania are about to clearfell a 67 hectare coupe in the Mutual Valley including sections which are 10 metres, yes 10 metres from the track. The area has not been clearfelled before and contains some beautiful native forest. An article today in the Examiner indicates that Forestry Tasmania may be changing their position due to an out cry from local people, mountain bikers and business owners.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/381233 ... ble/?cs=94

[derbytas]

Dave I have been intimately involved in this dispute and I have walked nearly all of the whole valley over the last 30 years. Forestry Tasmania have made serious errors in their plan and have not taken into account the steepness of some areas ...for example...there is a request in to the Forest Practices Authority to have this plan revoked.
This area has some very special values which bushwalkers will appreciate and with a little bit of direct contact from Bushwalkers and MTBers they will have the excuse they need to back off from any further logging in this valley...contact them at... 03 6350 6466 or by email at... forestry.tasmania@forestrytas.com.au
The important points to make are ...why you would want not to see clearfell operations and how surprised you are to hear that clearfelling still goes on in Tasmania....of course anything else would be valuable to mention too.
Apart from the MTB tracks there are beautiful bush roads and tracks to explore throughout the valley

[stepbystep]

It's been good to see the action on this from the locals, one of which is an uber smart veteran of forest campaigns. I am confident the madness will stop in the MV. Thanks for bringing it to the attention of the BWA forum.

[Grindelwalddave]

Forestry Tasmania have confirmed they will begin logging the Mutual Valley next week including a section bordering Krushka's track with a 10-20 m buffer zone. This section is shown in green in the map attached, the light blue and orange areas will also be clearfelled. By the way this map which utilises coloured pencil to mark the areas is the actual map of the logging supplied by FT. This logging will occur just as the Derby Mountain Bike Tracks are booming and getting national and international attention.

[Paul]

I think it is great that the two industries can co-exist in the same region. Wonderful that FT have negotiated with stakeholders and agreed to implement an acceptable buffer zone in areas thought necessary.

Paul.

[Grindelwalddave]

Its OK according to the Dorset mayor mountain bikers don't care about the scenery and are in it for thrill seeking. A wilderness experience means nothing to them according to Mayor Howard. Given that logic we can expect the Dorset Council to give the go ahead to clear more of the valley and the forest surrounding the trails. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-09/l ... gn/7313060
The video version of this story on ABC 24 including the mayor's comments has already caused a reaction from mountain bikers Australia wide. By the way this is the same mayor that in an earlier article in the Examiner newspaper said that mountain bikers couldn't possibly be against this logging as mountain bikes are worth thousands of dollars and therefore they couldn't be on the dole.

[aloftas]

Please observe made bikeways and give way to log trucks.

[aloftas]

I think it is great that the two industries can co-exist in the same region. Wonderful that FT have negotiated with stakeholders and agreed to implement an acceptable buffer zone in areas thought necessary.

Paul.

10 metres is about 30 feet paul, even I can kick a footy that far.

But yes, great we can have a say.

[aloftas]

Don't wanna get sued )

[aloftas]