Forum airs water- forestry conflict concerns

A forum in Launceston has heard claims conflicts of interest are dogging the Tasmanian environment.

The water and forestry governance forum was organised by the lobby group Our Common Ground to debate the issues before next week's poll.

Concerns about water quality dominated debate, after claims by St Helens GP Dr Alison Bleaney that the George River is contaminated by tree toxins.

The Director of Environment Tasmania, Dr Phill Pullinger, told the forum the controversy proves Tasmania needs a dedicated Environment Department.

"The same minister that has responsibility of looking after water also has responsibility for forestry and industries which are operating in conflict with the protection of clean, healthy drinking water," he said.

Tasmania is the only state without a stand-alone Environment Department.

ABC gardening personality, and anti-pulp mill campaigner, Peter Cundall told the forum there was a conspiracy of silence between the Labor and Liberal parties to avoid the pulp mill before the election.

But both parties have rejected the claim, saying the pulp mill is explicitly mentioned in their forestry policies.

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Fri 12th March 2010 - 09:35am