Public appeal to buy Recherche
The Sunday Tasmanian
By LINDA SMITH
06nov05
A PUBLIC appeal to raise funds to buy
Senator Brown made the announcement to more than 3000 people
at the Rally for
He said the land, which has earned international recognition
as the landing site for two French research ships in 1792-93, was a
"historical and ecological gem" and should be protected with fair
compensation for the landowners.
He urged donors to pledge $1000 for the cause and challenged
the state and federal governments to match the public donations dollar for
dollar.
"I read in the newspaper recently that Betfair will
earn the Government $40 million per annum. Couldn't we have 5 per cent of that
for just one year to protect
The north-east peninsula of the bay has been heritage listed
but that will not stop logging, tipped to take place next year.
Senator Brown said Tasmanians had fought hard to save the
Landowners David and Rob Vernon rejected a $5 million offer
from the community to buy the land 12 months ago but Senator Brown believed it
was because there was not enough strength in the offer.
He was confident this campaign would be more successful.
"It's a valuable piece of land, it's undoubtedly
enormously valuable in many ways, and it's important the Vernons get an
appropriate price," he said.
"By collecting money through a neutral trust fund, it
will guarantee the owners the money is there if a purchase deal can be
arranged."
Other speakers at the rally, organised by the Recherche Bay
Protection Group, included award-winning author and historian Dr Edward Duyker
and gardening guru Peter Cundall.
Australian actor David Wenham and director Robert Connolly
sent messages of support.
Mr Cundall said the rally was a "marvellous
representation of all people from all classes and all political parties".
"It's not some greenie stunt, it's a reflection on what
the people of