7NEWS Spotlight on Channel 7 – 7NEWS Spotlight: Saving ‘Australia’s Amazon’. Charles Wooley returns to television to tell the story closest to his heart.
Legendary investigative journalist Charles Wooley joins the Seven Network’s flagship news and public affairs program 7NEWS Spotlight at 8.30pm this Sunday on Channel 7 and 7plus for a special report on the battle to save Australia’s majestic Tarkine Rainforest from the encroaching threat of mining.
To venture into this Tasmanian wilderness is to travel back to the very beginning.
Renowned for its unparalleled beauty and rich biodiversity, the 500,000 hectares of mountains and waterways enfolding ancient rainforests on the wild west coast of Tasmania holds great ecological value, however the expansion plans of Chinese-owned mining company MMG has raised serious concerns about of the future of this spectacular natural wonder.
For veteran reporter Wooley, a local resident who has trout fished in the Tarkine since he was a young boy, it is his most personal story yet.
Exposing the threat to the ecological integrity of this ancient wilderness, Wooley delves into the heart of the issue, turning the spotlight on the potential consequences of the mining company’s expansion into the rainforest, and calling on the Australian government to arbitrate on behalf of Tarkine.
“If you haven’t heard of the Tarkine until now you can be sure that you will,” Wooley said.
“In Tasmania there still exists an ancient rainforest of the type that has long vanished from the rest of the world. I grew up in such Tasmanian country. But even in my lifetime most of it has vanished, often converted to wood chips.
“But in the Tarkine a lost world of half a million hectares of primeval giant forest, magnificent rivers and mountains has miraculously survived. Until now,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it is largely unprotected from forestry and mining. This last inspiring stand of temperate rainforest should be seen before it vanishes.
“Now, the battle to save the Tarkine is shaping up to be Australia’s next Franklin River.”
7NEWS Spotlight Executive Producer Mark Llewellyn added:
“Charles Wooley is a story-telling genius. There was no other person who could so passionately tell the story of ‘Australia’s Amazon’, a hidden and majestic part of Tasmania which needs to be protected from those who would destroy it.”
7NEWS Spotlight – 8.30pm this Sunday on Channel 7 and 7plus
Media Release – Seven
TV Central Seven content HERE