Saving the rainforest

Abbreviations
Preface

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1 Rainforests
(29kb .pdf file )
2 National Parks
(27kb .pdf file )
3 The Beginning of Concern
(46kb .pdf file )
4 Political Moves
(36kb .pdf file )
5 Campaigning
(52kb .pdf file )
6 The SPCC Inquiry
(53kb .pdf file )
7 Terania Blockade
(49kb .pdf file )
8 The Terania Inquiry
(44kb .pdf file )
9 Aftermath
(39kb .pdf file )
10 Escalation of the Campaign
(53kb .pdf file )
11 Washpool
(42kb .pdf file )
12 Other Rainforest Campaigns
(49kb .pdf file )
13 The Cabinet Decision
(43kb .pdf file )
14 Reactions
(37kb .pdf file )
15 World Heritage Listing
(33kb .pdf file )
16 Wilderness Declarations
(28kb .pdf file )
17 Personalities
(44kb .pdf file )
18 Literature
(41kb .pdf file )
Postscript
(44kb .pdf file )
Epilogue

Epilogue For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance And the good that I can do. George Banks When the members of the Colong Committee, having achieved their original objective, were considering their future in 1975, three areas needing protection were discussed: Border Ranges, Kakadu and the Greater Blue Mountains. The Border Ranges was chosen as the next project, but by the end of the century all three areas were safe in famous National Parks listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. What excellent judgement. It was indeed fortunate for me that my 30 year retirement coincided with the growth of the conservation (now environment) movement, which, with growing popular and official support, increased the percentage of the State in National Parks and Nature Reserves from 1 per cent to seven per cent, and the area in proclaimed wilderness from nil to three per cent.

Border Ranges. Photo by E. Slater, courtesy NPWS

Had the voluntary conservation movement not arisen in this period, the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd (as it now is) would not have been formed, the above percentage would be much lower, and there would be no rainforest National Park on the NSW/Queensland border recognised as having world significance.

James G Somerville