Climate raid on COAG

MEDIA RELEASE

CLIMATE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION SQUAD RAID COAG CONFERENCE

30^th April,2009, 8:30am

Mercure Hotel, Bathurst Street, Hobart.

Officers from the Climate Crime Scene Investigation unit (CCSI) will be conducting raids on major climate crime cartels beginning with the Council of Australian Governments (COAG ) conference at the Mercure Hotel in Hobart.

Investigators are pursuing leads  indicating that heads of organised climate crime from all over Australia are assembling in Hobart under the guise of the Council of Australian Governments. The members of COAG are wanted for questioning in relation to criminal inaction against environmental degredation and accelerating climate change on local and national fronts.

“The Climate Crime Scene Investigation unit are acting upon information which suggests that perpetrators of climacide such as Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Ltd. have been receiving direct instructions  from the single largest climate crime organisation in Australia, COAG. We have identified the chairman of COAG, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and unsavoury climacide operative, Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett, as being key decison makers in the ongoing Tasmanian ecocide. ” said CCSI media liason officer Ali Alishah. 

“Interstate agencies have also gathered evidence incriminating other State Premiers attending the conference as being high ranking climate criminals in their own states and abroad. These individuals are wanted for immediate detention and deportation for prosecution in their home states.” said Mr. Alishah.

“Internal documents uncovered at Forestry Tasmania's Hobart office contain crucial evidence of an ongoing climate crime, with a 2007 MBAC report demonstrating that, by 2030, the logging of Tasmania's commercial native forest estate will result in the loss of 28% of the carbon that is currently safely stored as living forest. COAG  while possessing full knowledge has been criminally ineffective in halting this.” Mr. Alishah said.

“By nationally pursuing the option of coal and wood-fired power stations COAG is actively contributing to an increase in carbon emissions. The Prime Minister’s plan of an unconditional 5% reduction in carbon pollution below 2000 levels by 2020 is not enough and local governments continue to initiate carbon intensive projects such as the proposed wood-fired power station at Southwood and the Tamar Valley pulp mill whilst continuing large scale clearfell and burn regimes in native forests.” Mr. Alishah said.

 "Climate crimes such as these impose a serious cost on the entire community and the CCSI unit is dedicated to bringing the perpetrators to justice" concluded Mr Alishah.

Say Sorry, Sturges.

MEDIA RELEASE
22/4/2009
Forest Campaigners Demand Apology from Graeme Sturges, Call For Calm and Cohesive Community Response to Vandalism

Still Wild Still Threatened Forests Campaigners are demanding a full apology from Graeme Sturges and a complete retraction of his slanderous statements of yesterday regarding the vandalism to forest machines in the Lower Florentine Valley.

"It is completely inappropriate for Graeme Sturges to speculate and interfere in police investigations. His comments were politically motivated, aimed at dividing the Tasmanian Community and scoring political points for himself out of someone's misfortune," said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson, Natalie Keene.

"While Still Wild Still Threatened has been condemning the vandalism, Mr Sturges is off on his own political tangent perpetuating the bitterness and divisions so long encouraged by the forestry industry in our communities. He should retract his comments and apologise publicly to all people who stand up to protect Tasmanian’s outstanding ancient forests," said Ms Keene.

"In cases of forest machinery vandalism history has taught us that environmentalists have never been to blame. We trust Tasmania Police will conduct an impartial investigation and ignore comments from Graeme Sturges and the like," concluded Ms Keene.

Police Raid on Camp Florentine

MEDIA RELEASE

21.04.2009

Police Raid on Camp Florentine in Progress

“10 Police have raided Camp Florentine, arresting one protestor. Details are unclear however it appears that police are still in attendance,” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ali Alishah.

“Last Tuesday Police Rescue, Forestry Tasmania and other police raided Camp Florentine, removing a tunnel and breaking the leg of a tripod, endangering the life of a tree sitter,” Ali Alishah.

“Camp Florentine activists will continue their defence of the World Heritage valued forests of the Upper Florentine,” said Ali Alisha.

“Why are Tasmania Police raiding a non-violent protest camp while those who destroyed logging machinery in the Lower Florentine remain at large? Surely this is an abuse of police resources. Police should stop targeting those who are defending ancient forests from destruction and work as hard as possible to catch those responsible for yesterday’s arson,” said Ali Alishah.

“There are at least ten police at Camp Florentine right now. How many police are working on catching the culprits of yesterday’s vandalism?” said Ali Alishah.

Media Release - Monday 20th April 2009

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM STILL WILD STILL THREATENED

RE: TASMANIA POLICE MEDIA RELEASE 20.04.09

“$1.2m damage caused to forest equipment”

Still Wild Still Threatened would like to make an official statement in response to today’s media release circulated by Tasmanian Police regarding the damage caused to three forest excavators in regrowth and plantation forests on Boggy Creek Road in the Lower Florentine Valley (wrongly reported as being the Upper Florentine Valley.)

 “Still Wild Still Threatened and Camp Florentine are staunchly committed to the principles of non-violence and we do not condone any form of damage to forestry machines or equipment.” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson, Ali Alishah.

“We are unequivocally unsympathetic to any people or groups who engage in this type of behaviour and support a comprehensive and thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible,” said Mr Alishah

“We trust the Tasmania Police will investigate every possible avenue and that the forestry industry will co-operate fully with their investigations,” said Mr Alishah.

“There have been no protests in the regrowth/plantation area of the Lower Florentine Valley where the machinery was damaged. The location of this alleged incident has been wrongly reported by Tasmania Police as being the Upper Florentine Valley,” said Mr Alishah.

 

Regarding instances of damage to logging equipment:-

* On the 16^th of March, 1993 Victoria Police Superintendent Haldane issued an internal memo, “Damage to logging equipment”, Quote: “This relates in particular to damage being done by pro-logging interests in an attempt to discredit the anti-woodchipping and conservation movements… ensure that all investigative options are explored - DO NOT assume that any act of damage to logging equipment or logging infrastructure is done by conservationists or members of anti-logging groups

 

* Another internal memo was issued by Superintendent Haldane of the Victoria Police, Bairnsdale Division, 14^th March 1995, titled “Forest Protection Society” [Which has since been re-named Timber Communities Australia]; “In recent months members of the Forest Protection Society (F.P.S) have attempted to align themselves with police personnel in the logging verses anti-logging debate.  Members are advised that the Forest Protection Society is an industry funded pro-logging lobby group with a vested and one-sided interest in the continuance of native forest timber harvesting.  Members having dealings with the F.P.S should do so in this knowledge and be careful not to compromise the impartial position of the force.”

(See attachments)

What questions are Forestry Tasmania asking the public?

Forestry Tasmania Survey asks the wrong questions, wastes taxpayers dollars

Despite the current economic crisis, Forestry Tasmania continues to waste public funds, this time on a survey that attempts to establish their standing as a 'good corporate citizen' of Tasmania. Forest campaigners have disputed the validity of such a survey, arguing that the Australian community along with international bodies such as the World Heritage Committee, would like to see an end to the destruction of old growth forests in Tasmania.

"Forestry Tasmania is once again targeting environmental activists in a pathetic mud slinging attempt in order to deflect attention away from the fact that Tasmania's world class forests are being devastated every day. The recent outpouring of community support for activists in the Upper Florentine Valley clearly shows that the Australian community is sick and tired of seeing their precious old growth forests being woodchipped and exported" said Natalie Keene, Spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened.

"Forestry Tasmania's destructive logging and roading practices are an international disgrace. However, the Bartlett and Rudd Governments continue to ignore the advice of peak global bodies like the World Heritage Committee and the IUCN, who have called for the protection of Tasmania's globally significant forests" said  Ms Keene.

"A ‘good corporate citizen’ does not waste millions of taxpayers dollars on roading into old growth forests while there is a sharp downturn in the woodchip market. And as a Government Business Enterprise that reported a massive loss last financial year they should be on their knees apologising to Tasmanians for being corporate cowboys with no good business sense whatsoever." said Ms Keene. "Polluting Tasmania’s waterways with dangerous carcinogenic and mutagenic triazine chemicals and reducing old growth forests to piles of ash and woodchips in the era of runaway climate change is about as socially irresponsible as you could get.

Excavator threatens forest defender's life

MEDIA RELEASE
3pm, Wednesday 15th April 2009

Forest Activists say now is the time for forest resolution  

 

A forest defender narrowly escaped injury yesterday in the Upper Florentine  Valley. An excavator shovel was used to damage a structure supporting a tree-sit, endangering the protester who occupied it. Police and Forestry officials were present at the scene but took no immediate action.  Search and Rescue personnel had left the area some time before.  This event has caused concern amongst the peaceful protestors in the Upper Florentine Valley.

Still Wild Still Threatened spokesman David Bretz said "It is ironic that, while forest defenders' peaceful practices are questioned by Workplace Standards, a blatant and dangerous breach of Occupational Health and Safety rules goes un reported by the authorities This reckless violence has no place in a peaceful protest environment".    

 

Still Wild Still threatened does not want this to happen again and is calling on the Bartlett Government to find the time to talk to Still Wild Still Threatened and the forestry industry to sort out a forest resoluion.  

 

"In a time of economically-driven industry cutbacks, we have an ideal opportunity to reconcile conservation and worker concerns.  The government must act to ease the tensions in Tasmania's high conservation value forests, and enable the industry to transition to ecologically sustainable practices."

Protest actions in the under-represented Counsel Valley

Forest Activists Expose Forest Destruction Adjacent to World Heritage Area

Today forest activists halted roading operations by peacefully occupying old growth forests of the Counsel adjacent to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. This protest was undertaken to expose what seems to be a strategy to carve up forests close to the TWWWHA boundary, removing any wilderness values ensuring these areas will not be protected in the future.

“The spectacular Eucalyptus regnans forest of  CO2B in the Counsel is an outstanding example of what was deliberately left out of the World Heritage so that Forestry Tasmania could have unrestrained access to destroy them. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)  points out that the tall eucalypt forests are underrepresented within the protected area but Forestry Tas. is out roading and loggin right next to the protected area so the boundary will never be extended.”

“The Tasmanian community is calling on the World Heritage Committee to immediately condemn the large increase in raoding activities adjacent to the World Heritage Area and to strongly reiterate it’s request for extension of the boundaries to include the tall eucalypt forests of Tasmania’s Southern Forests,” said Ms Keene.

World Heritage Area values threatened

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 9th April 2009

Forest Activists Expose Forest Destruction Adjacent to World Heritage Area, Release Crisis Report Internationally

This morning, forest activists have occupied forestry roading operations in old growth forest right next to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) in the Counsel area of the Upper Derwent valley, to the north of the Upper Florentine Valley, halting roading operations.

“Coupe CO2B in the Counsel contains spectacular examples of tall eucalypt forests. Last week  forest campaigners found a tree with a 17.5m girth. The area to be logged runs along the boundary of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and should be included in the protected area, not logged for woodchips” says Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson, Natalie Keene.

Still Wild Still Threatened has authored a new report, “Threatened Forests of the Derwent Region: Crisis Report” to inform the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Heritage Committee of immediate threats. The report was produced in response to recently increased roading and logging in old growth forest adjacent to the TWWHA.

“We are seeing a large increase in roading operations close to the World Heritage Area. These operations appear designed to  compromise the conservation values of these forests,” said Natalie Keene

“Counsel coupe CO2B is a perfect example of previously untouched old growth forest that must be protected not logged. Forestry Tasmania appears to be undertaking a smash and grab raid on these wilderness forests. In the midst of a woodchip downturn, Forestry Tas. is  spending taxpayer's funds on trashing wilderness values so that it can ensure these areas will not be protected in the future ,” said Natalie Keene.

In July 2008, the World Heritage Committee reiterated their concerns calling for consideration of an extension to the World Heritage area in Southern Tasmania, while the IUCN officially requested an immediate moratorium of logging in Tasmania's Southern Forests. 

“The Federal and Tasmanian State Governments choose to ignore the World Heritage Committee's  calls for more of Southern Tasmania's old growth tall eucalypt forests to be included in the World Heritage Area. Instead they cite a previous  report whose recommendations were largely ignored in th decision making forum of the World Heritage Committee” said Natalie Keene.

Shadows of the Forest Art Exhibition

An unusual exhibition has been set up in the Forestry Tasmania 'exclusion zone' of the Upper Florentine Valley to coincide with the Ten Days on the Island Festival.

Special Event – Exhibition Closing Picnic, Upper Florentine Valley Blockade

Sunday 5th from12 midday – all welcome

Rigged amongst the trees are a number of art works by Tasmanian artists who share a deep concern for the Tasmanian environment and wish to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of this pristine ancient forest.

The artists involved in the Shadows in the Forest project have created works to draw attention to issues that surround logging old growth forests in Tasmania. Artists included in the 2009 project are Jo Anglesey, Martin Cole and Kazz, Cecily Edwards, Ralf Haertel, and Vicki West.

“My work incorporates natural dyes collected from trees destroyed during construction of the new road into the Upper Florentine. It reflects on alternative, sustainable ways of utilising these resources, and pays homage to the dedicated forest activists of Still Wild Still Threatened who have fought so hard to protect this special place for future generations.” Says participating artist, Ralf Haertel.

This is the third environmental installations project shadowing 10 Days on the Island, with previous projects focusing on water catchment degradation in the North and South Esk rivers, and environmental concerns associated with the Tamar River pulp mill proposal.

The exhibition will run till Sunday 5th April, and provides 10 Days on the Island visitors and patrons with the opportunity to include a very special part of Tasmania on their itinerary, to come and see the magnificent old growth rain forests while experiencing a thought provoking and sensitive response to this threatened environment.