Plans to "partially harvest" parts of the Blue Tier forest close to acclaimed mountain bike trails can be done without impacts on the tracks, say Tasmanian tourism bodies.
Logging of part of the forest came under scrutiny amid fears it could impact on the mountain-biking experience in the Derby region, but the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania was confident the forest management could be done in a way that preserved the tracks.
TICT chief executive Luke Martin said there were "legitimate questions" about proposed Sustainable Timber Tasmania operations in the area, but pointed to a long-standing agreement between the tourism and forestry industries that had been successful in the past.
"We are confident all stakeholders acknowledge that whatever forest activities do occur in the region, the trails must come first, and the world-class riding experience must be protected," he said.
Visit Northern Tasmania chief executive Chris Griffin said the organisation was waiting for more information from STT before making any statement about the area.
Mr Martin said the tracks were initially a vision of STT, then known as Forestry Tasmania, and called on them to maintain the world-class trails they had created.
"There are now clearly two major industries co-existing in this area, who both need certainty to prosper," he said.
"We look forward to STT and the Dorset Council, as land managers of the trails, to release details, including maps, demonstrating that the trails are being protected now, and into the future."
STT General Manager Conservation and Land Management Suzette Weeding said a current "proposed harvest area" was "entirely outside" of the Derby mountain bike trails.
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