Troubles Continue in Tasmania

Alan Stephenson

IN Orchids Australia of June 2005 I wrote a story about the plight of Thynninorchis nothofagicola. Information regarding the species came to me from a well informed and concerned conservationist who is not from the orchid fraternity. The article was written in a light-hearted manner but now the situation has become more serious for the species con­cerned and also for me. The consideration at the time was that Lyre Birds imported into Tasmania from Victoria during the 1930s were posing a problem for this species. The concern was due to their normal method of searching for food by scratching and digging, in the man­ner attributed to numerous species of ground dwelling birds. This, it was thought, would be the threat which could see the end of this single colony. Since then a barrier approximately 4m x 3m has been erected around the base of a tree in an effort to prevent Lyre Birds from accessing the plants. In addition to the chicken wire structure, a network of fishing line has been woven across the top of the barrier for further protection. As I approached the orchid area I noted a rainfall indi­cator which stated the annual rainfall for that area is 190cm per year but as most of Tasmania is in the grip of the same drought as the mainland the area was notably dry, considering the density of rainfor­est through which I walked to the orchid site.

In my position as AOC Conservation Director I wrote a series of letters on this matter to the Premier of Tasmania, the Conservation Minister, the Minister for Primary Industry and the Parliamentary Leader of the Tasmanian Greens. Responses were very slow so a second series of let­ters was forwarded but this time I included the Leader of the Opposition. Almost immediately the second series of letters was posted I received a reply to the original letter. I have since received further responses, which only proves that it pays to be persistent with a measure of diplomacy and bel­ligerence thrown in to confuse the issue. The replies assured me the matter was being seriously considered by the government and all due care would be taken regarding protection of the orchid. As logging was at the time being proposed for a coupe very close to the site I was even more con­cerned. This logging operation has now com­menced and a further adjacent coupe is also due to be logged at the end of 2007.

While this exchange of letters was doing the to and fro across Bass Straight I had decided to take a holiday in our most southern state and con­tacted my orchid informant who gave me directions to the office of a Greens MHA in New Norfolk, Mr Tim Morris. On the way from Strahan to Hobart I went to his office and met with his executive assis­tant who gave me precise directions to the orchid site. A couple of days later on my way to Mt Field National Park in pursuit of the normal tourist activ­ities, I diverted to the area and easily found the orchid site and protective barrier. As the orchid was most likely in the last stages of flower, I held little hope of seeing it but was hopeful of at least getting a glimpse of it in some form. Despite a close study of the small site and a wider survey of the general area I considered the matter lost for the time being and consoled myself with a cup of tea at a logging protest site not far up the road. The protesters were aware of the orchid but had not seen it or visited the site and I am sure they had more trouble than they could cope with in their general logging protest venture, with beatings by local thugs and theft of all wheels of their vehicles being just a sample of the personal cost of their activities.

Since returning from Tasmania I have had contact from the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Will Hodgman who had made representations on my behalf to the appropriate government ministers and elicited replies from the Premier, Hon. Paul Lennon and the Minister for Primary Industry and Water, Hon. David Llewellyn to the effect that a Project Officer was to be appointed in an endeav­our to learn more about the orchid. Specific action was to be taken regarding the orchid and monitor­ing and surveys undertaken to determine potential impacts to the species with monitoring during the next flowering season in February 2008. Since my return I have also received an email from Rena Dare who is the Forest Officer for the Tasmanian Parliamentary Greens. The email contained infor­mation regarding the Recovery Plan mentioned previously, with more contact expected in the future.