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."