Conservationists deny loggers access to old growth forest
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/01/86117.php
Conservationists deny loggers access to old growth forest
by Tha Lil Birdy Wednesday January 12, 2005 at 04:23 PM
geco@green.net.au 03 51540156
Early this morning conservationists blocked access to an area of old growth forest situated in Ellery 40 kms north east of Orbost. A structure has been constructed on the access road, preventing logs being removed from multiple controversial logging coupes.
Log trucks have been turned away since 3.30 this morning. A thirty metre tree platform has also been attached to logging machinery halting all logging work within untouched old growth forest.
This action follows on from yesterday, where sixty local, national and international conservationists effectively stopped work in an old growth logging coupe in State forest. Today, one woman is sitting eight metres above the access road in a wooden structure, whilst another two women are perched thirty metres high on a tree platform connected to logging machinery.
“These actions draw attention to the fact that the current government is still not listening to the people. It’s time for Premier Steve Bracks to end all old growth logging immediately” said Billy Dain, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre.
Ellery contains wet old growth forest and rainforest. Even after the announcement by the Bracks government of a 43% reduction in saw log allocations, nothing has been done to permanently protect the remaining old growth forest. Logging these areas has severe impacts on endangered species such as the Sooty Owl, Long Footed Potoroo and the Powerful Owl.
“These conservationists are putting the spotlight back on the need to protect these areas of high significance. Once these areas are logged they turn from fire retardant wet old growth forest into fire prone regrowth.” He continued.
“It’s time for Premier Steve Bracks to listen to the people of Victoria and across Australia and fix this problem.” He concluded.
Conservationists plan to continue their efforts for as long as it takes for the government to stand up and finally end all old growth logging.
For more information contact:
Billy Dain Goongerah Environment Centre
03 51540156
*Look out for photo updates.
http://www.geco.org.au
------------------------------------------------
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/01/86118.php
Logging industry shows its force
by Tha Lil Birdy Wednesday January 12, 2005 at 04:28 PM
geco@green.net.au 03 51540156
Conservationists were unexpectedly met with excessive numbers of Department of Sustainability and Environment officers along with Victorian police today.
Over twenty five officers have entered the contentious old growth area where sixty conservationists have effectively shut down logging operations in Ellery Forest, 40kms north east of Orbost.
The protest highlights the need for Premier Steve Bracks to act immediately and end old growth logging. Recent surveys suggest that over 80% of Australians are opposed to logging the remaining unprotected old growth forests.
“The show of numbers from the department and police today suggests that this is a critical issue that the government would like to remove from the public spotlight. The issue of old growth logging has been on the forefront of campaigns by conservationists for over a decade. Steve Bracks needs to act fast to fix this problem.” Said Billy Dain spokesperson for the conservationists.
Arrests are imminent as the present government has introduced new laws which effectively lock the public out of state forests.
“Conservationists are holding tight until the remaining unprotected old growth forests are finally included into a reserve system” he concluded.
For more information
Billy Dain
Goongerah Environment Centre
51540156
Sixty Conservationists stop logging in Old Growth Forest
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/01/86072.php
Informant: Andrew Robinson
Conservationists deny loggers access to old growth forest
by Tha Lil Birdy Wednesday January 12, 2005 at 04:23 PM
geco@green.net.au 03 51540156
Early this morning conservationists blocked access to an area of old growth forest situated in Ellery 40 kms north east of Orbost. A structure has been constructed on the access road, preventing logs being removed from multiple controversial logging coupes.
Log trucks have been turned away since 3.30 this morning. A thirty metre tree platform has also been attached to logging machinery halting all logging work within untouched old growth forest.
This action follows on from yesterday, where sixty local, national and international conservationists effectively stopped work in an old growth logging coupe in State forest. Today, one woman is sitting eight metres above the access road in a wooden structure, whilst another two women are perched thirty metres high on a tree platform connected to logging machinery.
“These actions draw attention to the fact that the current government is still not listening to the people. It’s time for Premier Steve Bracks to end all old growth logging immediately” said Billy Dain, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre.
Ellery contains wet old growth forest and rainforest. Even after the announcement by the Bracks government of a 43% reduction in saw log allocations, nothing has been done to permanently protect the remaining old growth forest. Logging these areas has severe impacts on endangered species such as the Sooty Owl, Long Footed Potoroo and the Powerful Owl.
“These conservationists are putting the spotlight back on the need to protect these areas of high significance. Once these areas are logged they turn from fire retardant wet old growth forest into fire prone regrowth.” He continued.
“It’s time for Premier Steve Bracks to listen to the people of Victoria and across Australia and fix this problem.” He concluded.
Conservationists plan to continue their efforts for as long as it takes for the government to stand up and finally end all old growth logging.
For more information contact:
Billy Dain Goongerah Environment Centre
03 51540156
*Look out for photo updates.
http://www.geco.org.au
------------------------------------------------
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/01/86118.php
Logging industry shows its force
by Tha Lil Birdy Wednesday January 12, 2005 at 04:28 PM
geco@green.net.au 03 51540156
Conservationists were unexpectedly met with excessive numbers of Department of Sustainability and Environment officers along with Victorian police today.
Over twenty five officers have entered the contentious old growth area where sixty conservationists have effectively shut down logging operations in Ellery Forest, 40kms north east of Orbost.
The protest highlights the need for Premier Steve Bracks to act immediately and end old growth logging. Recent surveys suggest that over 80% of Australians are opposed to logging the remaining unprotected old growth forests.
“The show of numbers from the department and police today suggests that this is a critical issue that the government would like to remove from the public spotlight. The issue of old growth logging has been on the forefront of campaigns by conservationists for over a decade. Steve Bracks needs to act fast to fix this problem.” Said Billy Dain spokesperson for the conservationists.
Arrests are imminent as the present government has introduced new laws which effectively lock the public out of state forests.
“Conservationists are holding tight until the remaining unprotected old growth forests are finally included into a reserve system” he concluded.
For more information
Billy Dain
Goongerah Environment Centre
51540156
Sixty Conservationists stop logging in Old Growth Forest
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/01/86072.php
Informant: Andrew Robinson
Starmail - 14. Jan, 23:38
