Alec Marr

Alec Marr was the Executive Director of the Wilderness Society (TWS) in Australia From 1997 – 2010.[1]

Gunns Ltd & Ors v Marr & Ors

In two separate writs brought in the Supreme Court of Victoria Marr was named as one of 14 original defendants in a claim alleging interference in the practices of Gunns Ltd in six separate incidents.[2] The case was recognised as Australia's biggest strategic lawsuit against public participation at the time.[3] When finally settled in 2010 the case was reported to have cost Gunns Ltd $2.8 million including $1.3 million paid to the Wilderness Society.[3]

Departure from Wilderness Society

In 2010 a ruling by the Tasmanian Supreme Court found that an AGM held by Marr was not legitimate.[4] Following the ruling Marr quit in September of that year citing a conspiracy to remove him and alleged 'cronyism' within the organisation.[1]

Marr's departure had been presaged by some evidence of internal conflict. In 2008, a consultant's audit had reported there was "a combative approach by managers" and lack of transparency in the matter of pay structures, including commissions, bonuses, and perceived perks.[5]

Post Wilderness Society

Marr was subsequently appointed general manager of the controversial Triabunna Woodchip Mill on the east coast of Tasmania, not long after it had been shutdown by Gunns in 2011 and sold to Wotif founder Graeme Wood and Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron for about $10 million.[6] In July 2014 Tasmanian media published a refutation by Marr of accusations that he had been installed with the express intention of sabotaging the plant as reported in an article in the Monthly.[7]

In 2014 Marr was present at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee in Doha, Qatar on the occasion of the hearing into the proposal to remove 74,000 ha from Tasmania's World Heritage Area.[8]

References
  1. "Wilderness chief quits in anger". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. https://jade.barnet.com.au/Jade.html#!article=96683
  3. http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-felling-of-gunns-20110311-1br9d.html
  4. "Greenies see red as Wilderness Society descends into chaos - Crikey". crikey.com.au.
  5. "Power struggle hits Wilderness Society". The Age.
  6. "Destruction claims are all rubbish, says former Triabunna mill boss Alec Marr". Mercury.
  7. "The destruction of the Triabunna mill and the fall of Tasmania's woodchip industry". The Monthly.
  8. "Alec Marr". Bob Brown Foundation.
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