On this Valentine's Day, be my Florentine
http://www.petitiononline.com/tassie/
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday 29th January 2009
UPPER FLORENTINE FOREST RALLY THIS SATURDAY
Upper Florentine Valley
Timbs Track, Gordon River Road, 21 kms past Maydena,
11am Saturday, 31st January
Speakers include Geoff Law, Bob McMahon (Tasmanians Against the Pulp Mill), Inger Visby (Derwent Valley Community) and Ula Majewski.
A great number of Tasmanians will be rallying for the protection of the old growth forests of the Upper Florentine valley this Saturday. The rally will commence at 11am, 21 kilometers past Maydena on Gordon River Road at the beginning of the road being pushed through contentious coupe FO044A.
"Forest defenders from the community have been tirelessly striving to protect the heritage and future of Tasmania for the weeks following the disassembly of Camp Florentine. Five new structures halting the progression of the new road have been erected in the past week. Now the greater community is gathering to protect these vitally important old growth and high conservation value forests" said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Christo Mills.
The community will be walking the incomplete road opening up the pristine forests of the Upper Florentine valley where Forestry Tasmania have commenced 4 kilometers of roading operations of which just over 2 kilometers of dirt roading and approximately 850 meters of graveling have been completed.
Thursday 27th January 2009
UPPER FLORENTINE PROTESTS MARK AUSTRALIA DAY IN LONDON, NORMAN BAKER DECIDES TO TABLE AN EARLY MOTION IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT AND CAMP FLORENTINE IS LAUNCHED ONCE AGAIN
British activists marked Australia Day by climbing trees and hanging banners in front of the Australian High Commission in London to highlight the continued destruction of Tasmania's old growth and high conservation value forests. This action has coincided with British MP Norman Baker's decision to table an early motion in parliament regarding recent roading operations in the Upper Florentine Valley.
In Tasmania, forest activists and community members have re-launched Camp Florentine, with a number of new tree-sits and road blockading structures set up over the weekend.
"The devastation of some Tasmania's ancient forests is a critical global issue. Once again, the Tasmanian and Australian Governments' continued support of Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Limited's environmentally criminal operations is being shown up as an international disgrace" said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.
"The World Heritage Centre, the IUCN and now members of the British Parliament have expressed their interest and concerns regarding Forestry Tasmania's atrocious roading operations in the Upper Florentine Valley. We once again call on Minister Garrett, who will be visiting Tasmania this week, to show some real leadership and put a halt to the destruction of these World Heritage-valued forests" said Miss Majewski.
A number of clips from the London action is available from www.youtube.com/tassieforests. All vision by Abigail Norman.
Image: Clotild Courtois
Friday 23rd January 2009
Community mourns the loss of Tasmania's forests
Over 80 members of the Tasmanian community of all ages and walks of life came to Parliament Lawns today to mourn the death of many ancient forests in the past and to ensure that this fate does not befall the forests of the Upper Florentine.
" Forestry Tasmania claim that their planned operations in the Upper Florentine are necessary as the ancient trees in the forest are dying," community spokesperson Natalie Keene said.
" The ancient, dynamic ecosystems of the Upper Florentine have existed for millenia without the help of the forestry industry. Forestry Tasmania should be asking their employers, the people of Tasmania, whether it is desirable for them to be destroying our natural heritage using ideologically driven and scientifically dubious techniques," Natalie Keene said.
" Bob Gordon has no heaven sent right to destroy places of superb natural value, such as the valleys of the Weld, the Styx, and the Upper Florentine. He should be more concerned about securing his own future than about euthanising the ancient giants of the Upper Florentine," Natalie Keene said.
" It is time for the state government to redesign the organisation that governs our forests. State forests should be managed for all current and future generations. Forestry Tasmania have obviously failed in their mandated task to manage our state forests for the good of all Tasmanians," Natalie Keene said.
" Forestry Tasmania and the state government are planning the destruction of the Upper Florentine, and other iconic areas such as the Weld and Styx Valleys. Many Tasmanians have mourned the loss of irreplaceable parts of our natural heritage. The actions of those here today, and of those thousands of Tasmanians who stand up for their forests send a clear signal to the state government - enough is enough. It is time for change," Natalie Keene said.
Over 80 members of the Tasmanian community of all ages and walks of life came to Parliament Lawns today to mourn the death of many ancient forests in the past and to ensure that this fate does not befall the forests of the Upper Florentine.
" Forestry Tasmania claim that their planned operations in the Upper Florentine are necessary as the ancient trees in the forest are dying," community spokesperson Natalie Keene said.
" The ancient, dynamic ecosystems of the Upper Florentine have existed for millenia without the help of the forestry industry. Forestry Tasmania should be asking their employers, the people of Tasmania, whether it is desirable for them to be destroying our natural heritage using ideologically driven and scientifically dubious techniques," Natalie Keene said.
" Bob Gordon has no heaven sent right to destroy places of superb natural value, such as the valleys of the Weld, the Styx, and the Upper Florentine. He should be more concerned about securing his own future than about euthanising the ancient giants of the Upper Florentine," Natalie Keene said.
" It is time for the state government to redesign the organisation that governs our forests. State forests should be managed for all current and future generations. Forestry Tasmania have obviously failed in their mandated task to manage our state forests for the good of all Tasmanians," Natalie Keene said.
" Forestry Tasmania and the state government are planning the destruction of the Upper Florentine, and other iconic areas such as the Weld and Styx Valleys. Many Tasmanians have mourned the loss of irreplaceable parts of our natural heritage. The actions of those here today, and of those thousands of Tasmanians who stand up for their forests send a clear signal to the state government - enough is enough. It is time for change," Natalie Keene said.
Friday 23rd January 2009
Community Forest Action -
Service for the Florentine, Mourning the loss of Tasmania's forests
What: Creation of a graveyard, symbolising Forestry Tasmania's plans for the Upper Florentine
Where:Parliament Lawns
When: 12noon.
Who: Independent community members
Photo opportunity: mourners, dressed in black, will each inscribe a headstone and position it on Parliament Lawns to make a graveyard to symbolize a dying forest.
" Forestry Tasmania claim that their planned operations in the Upper Florentine are necessary as the ancient trees in the forest are dying," spokesperson Natalie Keene said.
" The ancient, dynamic ecosystems of the Upper Florentine have existed sustainably for millenia without the help of the forestry industry. Forestry Tasmania should be asking their employers, the people of Tasmania, whether it is appropriate or desirable for them to be destroying our natural heritage using ideologically driven and scientifically dubious techniques," Natalie Keene said.
" Forestry Tasmania and the state government are planning the destruction of the Upper Florentine, and other iconic areas such as the Weld and Styx Valleys. Many Tasmanians have mourned the loss of irreplaceable parts of our natural heritage. The actions of those here today, and of those thousands of Tasmanians who stand up for their forests sends, a clear signal to the state government - enough is enough. It is time for change," Natalie Keene said.
Thursday 22nd January 2009
TWO FORESTS ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AS RUDD IGNORES MORATORIUM CALLS.
This afternoon, two female forest activists were cut off roading machinery in the Upper Florentine Valley and arrested, bringing the total of arrests over the last 11 days to 32. This afternoon's arrests follow an attempt by activists from Still Wild Still Threatened to present Prime Minister Rudd with a letter detailing a proposal for a 'Southern Forests Solution', along with SWST's new Upper Florentine Crisis Report. The Prime Minister refused to engage with forest activists.
"We are still calling on the Tasmanian and Australian Governments to end this outrageous situation. Forestry Tasmania has confirmed that at least 80% of the Upper Florentine's globally recognised forests will be woodchipped. This is an international embarassment and Prime Minister Rudd and Premier Bartlett need to do something about it immediately" said Ula Majewski, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant.
Activists will continue to peacefully protest against Forestry Tasmania's roading operations in the Upper Florentine Valley.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Forest activists call on Rudd for Upper Florentine moratorium
This morning, forest activists called on Prime Minister Rudd, who is visiting Hobart, to place an immediate moratorium on forestry operations in the Upper Florentine Valley. Activists attempted to present the Prime Minister with a letter detailing their Southern Forests Solution, which was ignored by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments in November 2008. They also attempted to present Kevin Rudd with an Upper Florentine Crisis Report, released today, and a large aerial photograph of the impacts of current roading operations in the Upper Florentine Valley.
Two activists have locked themselves to roading machinery in the Upper Florentine Valley this morning to protest against Forestry Tasmania's roading operations in the old growth forests of the valley.
"We are once again calling for a Tasmanian and Australian Government driven solution to contentious logging and roading operations in the Southern Forests. The Tasmanian community want to see an end to the long running debate over the destruction of our old growth and high conservation value forests" said Ali Alishah, spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened.
"We will be sending the Upper Florentine Crisis Report to all key decision makers in Australia, as well as international bodies like the IUCN and the World Heritage Centre, who have expressed concern about logging operations in Tasmania's ancient forests" said Mr Alishah.
Wednesday, 21st January 2009
FOREST DEFENDER LOCKED ONTO ROAD GRADER IN THE UPPER FLORENTINE VALLEY
Early this morning, a female forest defender locked herself onto a road grading machine working on the proposed 4km road in the old growth forests of the Upper Florentine Valley.
"The community will continue to work towards the protection of the pristine old growth forests in the Upper Florentine Valley. Forest defenders will continue to highlight Forestry Tasmania's destructive and wasteful rampage in our World Heritage-valued forests" said Ali Alishah, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson.
"Numbers at Camp Florentine are expected to swell, leading up to this weekend's 'Reclaim our forests' community camp-out" said Ali Alishah.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Media Release - Wednesday 21st Jan 2009
FOREST DEFENDER LOCKED ONTO ROAD GRADER IN THE UPPER FLORENTINE VALLEY
Early this morning, a female forest defender locked herself onto a road grading machine working on the proposed 4km road in the old growth forests of the Upper Florentine Valley.
"The community will continue to work towards the protection of the pristine old growth forests in the Upper Florentine Valley. Forest defenders will continue to highlight Forestry Tasmania's destructive and wasteful rampage in our World Heritage-valued forests" said Ali Alishah, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson.
"Numbers at Camp Florentine are expected to swell, leading up to this weekend's 'Reclaim our forests' community camp-out" said Ali Alishah.
Updates will be posted throughout the day.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The reality of modern industrial logging
Three simple questions:
1. How is this sustainable?
2. Where is the replacement habitat for the inhabitants of of this forest?
3. Why is logging virgin native forest not counted in Forestry Tasmania's carbon accounts?
SWST's letter to Forestry Tasmania
To: Bob Gordon, Managing Director, Forestry Tasmania.
Tuesday, 20th January 2009
Dear Mr Gordon,
I am writing on behalf of Still Wild Still Threatened. We have a number of questions and clarifications regarding the forests of the Upper Florentine, and, in particular, logging and roading operations both planned and currently being implemented.
These questions, and others of a less geographically specific nature, are outlined below. We are asking these questions in order to provide information and clarity to interested members of the Tasmanian community. In this spirit we hope that you see fit to provide the community with information regarding the operations in the publicly-owned forests of the Upper Florentine, and elsewhere.
1. Data and maps which detail the area of the Upper Florentine unavailable for timber harvesting, including specified delineation of catchment boundaries, and which provides supporting evidence of Forestry Tasmania’s claim that 90% of the Upper Florentine is unavailable for timber harvesting;
2. Maps which detail all planned roading operations in the Upper Florentine Valley, including, but not limited to, the following coupes: FO044A, FO044E, FO045A, FO045B, FO045C, FO049B, FO049C, FO049E, FO056A, FO056C, FO057B and FO060A;
3. Maps which detail coupe boundaries for all coupes in the Upper Florentine, including, but not limited to, the following coupes: FO044A, FO044E, FO045A, FO045B, FO045C, FO049B, FO049C, FO049E, FO056A, FO056C, FO057B and FO060A;
4. Data which details the proportion of particular log and pulp classes to be procured from coupes being accessed by current and planned roading operations, including, but not restricted to, the following coupes: FO044A, FO044E, FO045A, FO045B, FO045C, FO049B, FO049C, FO049E, FO056A, FO056C, FO057B and FO060A;
5. The projected income returned to Forestry Tasmania from planned harvesting operations as listed in (4), categorised by log and pulp classes;
6. Details of all costs associated with the planning of logging and roading operations, the construction of roads and associated infrastructure, the management of harvesting operations, and any other costs associated with planned harvesting operations as details in (4);
7. Details as to whether any monies granted through the Tasmanian Community Forestry Agreement have been utilised to construct logging roads in the Upper Florentine;
8. In reference to Tasmania as a whole, details as to whether monies granted through the Tasmanian Community Forestry Agreement for the purpose of road construction have been depleted;
9. Data and maps which detail what proportion of the commercially harvestable vegetation communities existing in state forests in the Upper Florentine are available for harvesting;
10. Data and maps which detail what proportion of the 90% figure mentioned in (1) consists of non-commercially harvestable vegetation communities, and what proportion consists of tall-eucalypt, rainforest and any other commercially harvestable vegetation communities; Forestry Tasmania's Australian Forestry Standard certification requires, under section A-4.2.2 (The Australian Forestry Standard AS 4708 Supplement 1 – 2007, p12):
Guide to Verification – the intent of this requirement is to provide opportunities for stakeholders to meaningfully participate in the forest management planning process and to influence its outcomes; however this does not mean that decision making should rest with stakeholders. Rather, the requirement provides a mechanism for the forest manager to demonstrate that public input is taken seriously by being responsive and respectful of this input.
As a stakeholder and an organisation representing community views we trust you will provide the requested information promptly. We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Ula Majewski
On behalf of Still Wild Still Threatened
Media Release - Tuesday 20th January 2009
Photo: Laura MinneboAt around 2:30pm today one forest defender was arrested in Upper Florentine Valley for halting roading operations by perching themselves high in a tree sit cabled off to a quarry gate.
Forest activists today tried to deliver a formal request for information and maps regarding Forestry Tasmania's current and planned operations in the Upper Florentine.
"Activists today requested that Forestry Tasmania substantiate claims that 90% of the Upper Florentine is not available for harvesting. In response, Forestry Tasmania shut its doors on community concern." Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant Christo Mills said.
Request for help!
Still Wild Still Threatened needs your assistance in our urgent campaign to stop the roading and imminent logging of Pristine Rainforest in the Upper Florentine Valley.
We desperately need volunteers to help with all sorts of things in Hobart so if you are able to Volunteer some time that would be greatly appreciated. Please contact stillwildstillthreatened@gmail.com for more details.
As we are a volunteer based grassroots organisation we dont have much money and greatly appreciate donations right now.
Donate online or at any Westpac Bank to the campaign to save these precious forests.
Account name: Tasmanias Southern Forests
BSB #: 737001. Account #: 704815.
Media Release - Tuesday 20th January 2009
FLORENTINE ACTIVISTS ASK FORESTRY TASMANIA - "WHERE ARE THE MAPS?"
Forest activists have today delivered a formal request for information and maps regarding Forestry Tasmania's current and planned operations in the Upper Florentine.
"Forestry Tasmania claims that 90% of the Upper Florentine is protected. Conservationists have repeatedly requested clear maps and figures to support this assertion, and these have not been forthcoming" Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant Christo Mills said.
"Forestry Tasmania have previously proclaimed that they have entered into a new era of transparency. If this is true, then they should disclose this information to the Tasmanian public. And if they do not have the appropriate evidence, an explanation should be provided to the Tasmanian public as to why these claims have been made" Christo Mills said.
Still Wild Still Threatened has requested further information, including:
- the total cost of current and planned operations in the Upper Florentine;
- the projected income to the Tasmanian public from those operations;
- the expected number of direct full time jobs resulting from those operations and;
- the proportion of commercially harvestable forests, such as tall eucalypt and rainforest, which is unavailable for harvesting.
"Once again, Forestry Tasmania's public statements are far from convincing. While their bulldozers and axe whackers are destroying the World Heritage valued ancient forests of the Upper Florentine, their woefully inadequate response to public concern is to endlessly repeat facts with no opportunity for assessment of their veracity, " Christo Mills said.
Your forests: 2nd Rally for the Upper Florentine
A Community Weekend
24 - 25th January
11am Timbs Track
Media Release - Tuesday 20th January 2009
ACTIVISTS CALL ON FORESTRY TASMANIA TO GIVE UP THE MAPS AS TWO GIANT MONOPOLES ARE ERECTED IN THE FOREST AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE UPPER FLORENTINE HITS THE STRAND, LONDON
WHERE: FORESTRY TASMANIA. 79 MELVILLE ST. HOBART.
WHEN: MIDDAY TODAY
At midday, forest activists from Still Wild Still Threatened will bring their concerns regarding current operations in the Upper Florentine Valley straight to Forestry Tasmania's front door. The move comes as roading operations were halted again in the Upper Florentine this morning. A tree sit attached to two giant monopoles is currently halting gravelling operations in the valley.
International concerns over the destruction of the Upper Florentine were taken to the Australian High Commission in London yesterday, as concerned members of the British public and UK forest activists presented the Commission with a petition containing 1000 signatures. Activists draped banners across the front of the building situated on the Strand, a prominent central London location, reading END LOGGING NOW and SAVE TASMANIAS ANCIENT FORESTS.
"Forestry Tasmania's Steve Whiteley has been telling the Tasmanian public for several years that 90% of the Upper Florentine is unavailable for harvesting. Despite consistent requests from conservationists to be provided with maps and figures to support this assertion, no clear evidence has been forthcoming," Still Wild Still Threatened Spokesperson Christo Mills said.
Media Release - Monday 19th January 2009
ONE MORE FLORENTINE ARREST THIS AFTERNOON
A forest defender was cut off an excavator and arrested at midday today in the Upper Florentine Valley. The activist had locked onto the machine at 7:30 this morning to highlight critical community concerns with current roading operations in the valley.
This morning's action follows a mass community walk-in yesterday, when over 500 people peacefully occupied Forestry Tasmania's new logging road, halting all operations for the day. 28 people have been arrested since last Monday's police raid on Camp Florentine.
Media Release - Monday 19th January 2009
FOREST DEFENDER LOCKS ONTO AN EXCAVATOR AS ACTIVISTS ANNOUNCE EVEN BIGGER FOREST RALLY THIS SATURDAY
Early this morning, a forest activist locked onto an excavator in the Upper Florentine Valley to protest against Forestry Tasmania's roading operations in the area. Four tree sitters continue their 8 day vigil high in the canopy of the old growth forests located in the valley.
Still Wild Still Threatened has announced another community rally in the Upper Florentine Valley, which will take place this Saturday at 11am.
"We are absolutely thrilled with the hundreds of Tasmanians who travelled to the Upper Florentine Valley yesterday to stand up against the continued destruction of our precious old growth forests. The community is not going to idly stand by and watch their forests being annihilated in the interests of woodchipping barons Gunns Limited" said Ula Majewski, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant.
"Our community is sending a very clear message to the Tasmanian and Australian Governments that the destruction of these globally significant forests needs to be halted immediately" said Ula Majewski.
Media Release - Sunday 18th January 2009
MASS WALK-IN AT THE UPPER FLORENTINE AS OVER 500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENTER FORESTRY TASMANIA'S EXCLUSION ZONE.
Over 500 people attended a 'Rally for Old Growth' in the Upper Florentine Valley today, to protest against Forestry Tasmania's highly contentious roading operations in the valley. Community members peacefully walked into Forestry Tasmania's exclusion zone and halted roading operations for the day. The community held hands and encircled forestry machinery to raise critical community concerns with the Tasmanian Government's continued support for the logging and roading of old growth and high conservation value forests.
"Today, the Tasmanian community has sent a very clear message to the state and federal governments that the industrial scale destruction of our world-heritage valued forests need to be halted immediately" said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.
"Forestry Tasmania has smashed through 4km of some our most precious forests over the last week. Today, we have seen the Tasmanian community reclaiming their forests and speaking out against this environmentally criminal act" said Miss Majewski.
"The destruction of the globally recognised old growth forests of the Upper Florentine Valley is an international disgrace and we are calling once again on the Tasmanian and Australian Governments to show some real leadership and put an immediate halt to this devastation" concluded Miss Majewski.
Peaceful actions in the Upper Florentine Valley will continue over coming days and weeks.
Media Alert - Saturday 17th January 2009
ACTIVISTS REQUEST REAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO FLORENTINE LOGGING CRISIS
PRESS CONFERENCE. 1PM.
PARLIAMENT LAWNS, HOBART
Still Wild Still Threatened is holding a press conference on Parliament Lawns at 1pm today, detailing a request for the state government to take meaningful and mature action to address the growing community outrage over roading operations in the Upper Florentine Valley.
"Ancient trees are being felled in the World Heritage valued forests of the Upper Florentine every hour. More Tasmanians are becoming outraged at this senseless vandalism. And to date the government response has consisted of attacking peaceful activists and other environmentalists over trivial matters," said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.
"Can Resources Minister David Llewellyn tell the Tasmanian people what profit they stand to make from the destruction of an irreplaceable piece of our natural heritage?" Ula Majewski said.
More Florentine Action This Morning
"This morning another road-blocking tree sit structure was erected in the Upper Florentine. Local police undertook the incredibly dangerous step of standing on a tensioned, life-bearing cable and allowing heavy machinery to drive over the cable, seriously endangering an activists, and their own, safety," Ula Majewski said.
Media Release - Friday 16th Jan 2009
ACTIVIST REMOVED FROM FORESTRY TASMANIA'S 'AXE WHACKER' AND ARRESTED LATE THIS MORNING AS FIVE TREE SITTERS PERCH HIGH IN THE CANOPY OF THE UPPER FLORENTINE VALLEY.
A female forest activist was cut off an 'axe whacker' and arrested late this morning. Five forest defenders are still perched on tree sits high in the canopy of the Upper Florentine Valley's old growth forests. Forestry Tasmania workers have resumed roading late this morning, with activists raising critical concerns about the operation of machinery within 5 metres of the tall eucalypts occupied by tree sitters. Tasmania Police have directed activists staying at the vigil camp on Gordon River Road to leave the area for 24 hours.
"Right now, Forestry Tasmania are ripping apart the ancient forests of the Upper Florentine Valley with this devastating roading operation. We are continuing to call on David Bartlett and Peter Garrett to stop pandering to the interests of an unsustainable logging industry propped up by taxpayers dollars and put an immediate halt to these disgraceful operations" said Ula Majewski, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson.
Updates will continue during the day.
Media Release, Fri 16th Jan 2009
NEW TREE SIT ERECTED IN THE UPPER FLORENTINE AS FOREST DEFENDER LOCKS ON TO THE 'AXE WHACKER'.
Early this morning, a new tree sit – the 'Scales of Injustice' – was erected in the Upper Florentine Valley and a forest defender locked onto a feller-buncher machine, colloquially known as an 'axe whacker'. A blockading structure has been set up across Forestry Tasmania's new road. This structure is attached to both the 'Scales of Injustice' and the 'Lungs of the Land' treesit, where an activist has been perched since Monday morning's raid by police.
Over the last two days, Forestry Tasmania has pushed through up to 3km of roading through the old growth forests of the Upper Florentine Valley. These operations have been halted this morning.
"We are calling again on Minister Garrett and Premier Bartlett to put an immediate halt to the devastation and woodchipping of our globally renowned old growth and high conservation value forests. The taxpayer funded destruction of our precious forests is an absolute disgrace" said Ula Majewski, spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened and Triabunna 13 defendant.
Peaceful actions will continue in the Upper Florentine Valley, leading up to Sunday's mass rally for old growth, which will be held at the site.
FOREST ACTIVISTS REITERATE THEIR CALLS FOR THE TASMANIAN AND AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS TO STAND UP AND TAKE STEPS TO RESOLVING THE FOREST DEBATE
Forest activists have once again called on the Tasmanian and Australian Governments to resolve the long running dispute over the fate of Tasmania's old growth and high conservation value forests. The call comes as protests continue in the Upper Florentine Valley, with 2 more activists arrested today, bringing the total number of arrests over the last four days to 27.
"In November, Still Wild Still Threatened and the Huon Valley Environment Centre put a forest solution proposal on the table, which was supported by a coalition of Tasmanian environmental groups. We called on Prime Minister Rudd and Premier Bartlett to place a moratorium on forestry operations in old growth and high conservation value forests in the south of the state and to sit down at the table with key stakeholders to discuss intelligent solutions to this long running debate" said Ula Majewski, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant.
"Forestry Tasmania does not have the institutional capacity to resolve this issue. We are still awaiting a formal response from Kevin Rudd and David Bartlett and would urge them to show some real leadership. We are asking them to take immediate steps to stopping this ongoing destruction of our forests and our communities at the hands of giant woodchipping corporations" said Miss Majewski.
"Our community is sick and tired of watching our precious old growth and high conservation value forests being roaded, logged and burnt in the interests of woodchipping barons Gunns Limited" concluded Miss Majewski.
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