Two Arrests as Old Growth Logging Stops

Two people who chained themselves to logging machinery this morning in the Upper Florentine have been arrested. Logging in the coupe was halted for about 3 hours this morning as conservationists penetrated a security cage that logging machinery is parked in nightly.  

The man and the woman chained themselves to harvesting equipment in the early hours of this morning. They have been charged with trespass and will appear in Hobart Magistrates Court at a latter date. Nearly 80 people have been arrested in the Upper Florentine this year.

“Despite the extremely heavy police and security presence in the Upper Florentine, peaceful protesters will continue to stand up for Tasmania’s ancient forests. Work will continue to be stopped and people will continue to be arrested. Soon we will see the 100th arrest in the Upper Florentine for just this year. There have been dozens of people getting arrested for the first time. People from all walks of life have been getting arrested, from a 17 year old man from Hobart to a 70 year old from Westerway, a town nearby the contentious forest. The large number of arrests in the area proves that there is a huge amount of community outrage over the logging of the Upper Florentine and people are willing to get arrested to make their point.” Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

“Many people who have been arrested are Derwent valley locals who have campaigned for years to protect the Upper Florentine, David Bartlett will not even give those locals ten minutes of his time to listen to their concerns. When the Premier blatantly disregards the concerns of his constituents, it is no surprise that they resort to peaceful civil disobedience.”

“The heavy Police presence in the forest is draining police force’s resources just so Forestry Tasmania can decimate an ancient forest and Gunns can make a tidy woodchip profit. Protests will continue until this government ends old growth logging; this would help solve the problem of an overstretched, under-resourced police force.”

“It is irresponsible of David Bartlett to prioritize the protection of woodchip profits and old growth logging over police's actual role of keeping Tasmania safe. If the police are so over stretched as a result of logging in the Upper Florentine all David Bartlett needs to do is stop the logging, the protests will stop and police can go back to doing their jobs.”  Said spokesperson Ed Hill

“If the Police Association is concerned about overstretching of resources, they should lobby the government to stop logging the area due to the overwhelming public outcry and protest.”

“Only one person is responsible for over stretching police resources: David Bartlett, with his insistence on wholesale destruction of our world heritage valued forests.” Said Ed Hill.

“This issue is so contentious, The Bartlett government knew very well that there would be large and prolonged protests in the area, if they had concerns over how this would effect police resources, they should have reconsidered logging the area in the first place.”

“David Bartlett is happy to funnel as much taxpayer money as it takes into this operation to see that this old growth forest is obliterated forever.”  Concluded Ed Hill.

Logging Halted in Upper Florentine

A man and a woman have force logging operations to halt this morning when the conservationists chained themselves to logging machinery. The protester scaled the walls of a locked cage that logging machinery is parked in nightly and attached themselves to harvesting equipment. Police search and rescue have attended the logging coupe daily since operations began on May 4 and are expected to remove to protesters shortly.

Logging operations entered their fourth week as Forestry Tasmania used dynamite to blow up ancient trees deemed to dangerous to cut.

"In just 27 days over 25 ha of this pristine old growth forest has already been liquidated for woodchips. The speed of this operation is unprecedented and highlights the government's eagerness to get it done quickly as it is clearly unpopular amongst constituents." Said spokesperson Ed Hill

"The actions today have temporarily stopped logging of trees that were seedlings when Abel Tasman first set foot in Tasmania in 1642. Later today these same trees will be on their way to the wood chip mill and eventually exported to Asia. This is reckless and irresponsible management of Tasmania's heritage and it is shameful to think that we are continuing down this self destructive path well into the 21st century."  Said Mr.Hill

"Until logging of the Upper Florentine ceases, the community will continue peaceful stop work actions. The community has had enough of the Bartlett government's spineless approach to this issue." Mr Hill said

"The Bartlett government has continually ignored opportunities for constructive dialogue with conservation groups to come to a solution to this decades long dispute. Premier Bartlett needs acknowledge that the old growth logging debate is one of the most serious issues for this state. The Premier must show leadership and engage with conservation groups rather than taking the "ignore it and it will go away" approach." Said Mr Hill.

"The Tasmanian government is making a mockery of the federal government’s commitment to help end logging of rainforest in developing countries, by logging old growth rainforest in their own back yards."

"Peter Garrett and Kevin Rudd need to step in and stop the senseless destruction of Australian rainforest." Concluded Mr Hill.

Three activists arrested at Triabunna Climate Action

Three activists have been arrested after this mornings climate change action at Gunns Limiteds Triabunna woodchip mill. Two were removed from a woodchip conveyor belt at around 9am, and have been charged with trespass. A third activist was arrested outside of Gunns property on a warrant issued regarding a recent forest action in the Upper Florentine. All three activists have been bailed. The remainder of activists were ordered to remove themselves from the area for a period of 24 hours.

Two activists have also been arrested for trespass at the Geelong woodchip export facility.

Despite forest activists not targeting unloading machinery, Gunns closed the entire mill site, denying entry to log truck drivers, for around two hours, before subsequently allowing log trucks to enter the site and begin unloading. Around an hour later two activists were removed from the woodchip conveyor belt, said Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

Indications are that Gunns may pursue legal action for this peaceful action. While peaceful activists are targeted for highlighting the destruction of ancient forest, Gunns is allowed to pollute the atmosphere with impunity. Gunns aims to protect its profits while activists are sued for protecting the future, Warrick Jordan said.

The exclusion of native forest logging emissions from the national carbon accounts must end, as must the destruction of old growth forest. Climate change is too serious for the Rudd and Bartlett Governments to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the massive emissions generated by the logging of old growth forests, Warrick Jordan said.

To say that forestry is Australias only carbon positive industry is disingenuous without proper measurement of native forest emissions the forestry industry has no grounds for making this statement. They are plucking it out of thin air, Warrick Jordan said.

Triabunna Woodchil mill shut down in National Climate Action

Media Release Monday 25.05.2009

10 forest and climate change activists have shutdown woodchipping operations at Gunns Limited’s Triabunna mill. Two activists are attached to a conveyor belt, with banners reading “No Climate Protection without Forest Protection” and “Gunns – Climate Criminals”.

Activists have deliberately avoided obstructing log un-loading machinery to avoid impacting forest contractors.

Similar actions are being staged at woodchip facilities in Geelong, Victoria and Eden and Newcastle, NSW.

“Seeking to address climate change without ending the industrial woodchipping of native forests is delusional, stupid, and criminal. How can Australia ask nations such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to reduce forestry emissions while we continue destroying some of the world’s richest carbon stores? ” said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

“The logging of native forest is Tasmania’s carbon elephant in the room. The Bartlett Government, Forestry Tasmania and Gunns claim that forestry is Australia’s only carbon positive industry. This conveniently ignores the fact that under official Kyoto rules, no emissions from native forest are counted. Tasmania deserves a climate policy that is based on more than the Premier’s current ‘if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist’ policy,” Warrick Jordan said.

“If the Rudd and Bartlett Governments are serious about addressing the climate crisis, then the protection of our carbon-rich old growth forests should be the most basic part of a climate change policy,” Warrick Jordan said.

“Last week, the world’s first climate change-induced evacuation of an entire people began in PNG’s Carteret Islands. The board members of Gunns, and those others responsible for the continued destruction of Tasmania’s forests, should take a long look at their children and grandchildren and decide whether they feel comfortable condemning them to a future dramatically impacted by climate change,” Warrick Jordan said.

“Gunns will likely legally pursue activists for undertaking this necessary, peaceful action. In reality, however, Gunns are the real criminals. Robin Gray and his cohorts will not be around to see the worst of a climate impacted future, but our generation will.  Gunns can throw around as many lawsuits as they want, but they will not dissuade ordinary people from taking peaceful action in defence of Tasmania’s ancient, carbon-rich forests,” Warrick Jordan said.

“Today’s action has avoided obstructing machinery designed to unload logs delivered by logging contractors,” Warrick Jordan said.

Two arrests in Environment Minister Meeting

Two conservationists have been arrested today at a protest at the national meeting of environment ministers in Hobart. 

The two activists, dressed as possums, climbed flag poles outside the main entrance of Wrest Point and displayed a banner reading “FOR DEVIL’S SAKE, BIN THE RFA GARRETT.”

“One the same day that the Tasmanian devil has been added to the endangered species list, endangered species habitat in the Upper Florentine is being liquidated for wood chips. The Tasmanian Devil and Wedge Tailed Eagle are protected under the federal Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation act, however the Regional Forest Agreement is exempt and allows for destruction of their habitat.” Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

“Peter Garret must intervene to up hold the EPBC and end the extinction experiment that the RFA is responsible for.”

“David Bartlett is making a mockery of the EPBC by allowing wholesale destruction of Endangered Species habitat in the irreplaceable old growth forest of Tasmania.”

“If the federal government were serious about endangered species protection they would immediately put a stop to logging in endangered species habitat.” Concluded Mr Hill.

Endangered species protest and Environment ministers meeting

Conservationists from Still Wild Still Threatened are protesting at the national meeting of environment ministers at Wrest point today.

Protesters are staging a performance called the Endangered Species Banquet. Two protesters in a double headed fat man suit are devouring a Tasmanian devil served up by a representative of the Forest Industry. 

Two protesters dressed as possums have climbed two flag poles outside the main entrance and are displaying the banner "For Devil's sake, bin the RFA Garrett"

“The forests of the Upper Florentine are refuges for endangered species such as the Tasmanian Devil and Wedge Tailed Eagle. There is federal legislation that protects these animals in the form of the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation act; however the Regional Forest Agreement is exempt. Peter Garrett must intervene to protect Tasmania’s old growth forests and up hold the EPBC act which the Tasmanian Government and the RFA is making a mockery of” said spokesperson Ed Hill.

"We want to send a clear message to Peter Garret that he must put an end to David Bartlett's extinction experiment in our old growth forests. We encourage Peter Garrett to bring in a container deposit policy, but we strongly urge him to bin the RFA for the sake of our unique threatened fauna.' Said Mr Hill

"Everyday in Tasmania we are loosing irreplaceable endangered species habitat, we have reached crisis point for certain species such as the swift parrot. Time and time again the State Government has abandoned endangered species and doomed them to extinction. It is widely accepted that the Swift Parrott is nearly extinct and the Bartlett Government is facilitating this by allowing logging of its habitat. This is not good enough for a species on the brink of extinction that is protected by federal legislation."

“A Senate inquiry into the RFA will soon reveal the truth about this utterly flawed process, which provides no protection to endangered species” said Mr Hill.

MEDIA UPDATE 20/5/09 10:00am

Photo Copyright : Matthew Newton www.matthewnewton.com.au

Police have arrested four people this morning at a blockade of Gordon River Rd. A woman dressed as a giant black cockatoo was removed from an 8 meter high tripod by police who cut down the legs of the structure piece by piece. A woman who remained in the area as an observer was arrested in the forest surrounding the blockade. Police have arrested another female conservationist who they believe is in breach of bail and have warned that warrants for committing a nuisance will be issued to five others who were in the area.

Police searched cars that were leaving the protest confiscating cameras, video equipment and mobile phones. Three 48 hour "move on" orders have been issued in the last 24 hours, temporarily removing individual conservationists from the area of public land.

"The massive police operation we've seen this month to protect the old growth logging industry is a waste of the state's time and money as is the wood chipping of our world heritage valued forests. David Bartlett must act in the public interest and protect the ancient forests of the Upper Florentine rather than drain police resources to uphold the archaic wood chipping agenda of climate criminals Gunns Limited." Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

The road has now re-opened and logging of the old growth forest continues. Protests are expected to continue throughout the week.

Black Cockatoo stops Logging Destruction

Photo copyright: Matthew Newton www.matthewnewton.com.au

Twenty conservationists have established a blockade on Gordon River Rd in the Upper Florentine Valley this morning. An 8 metre high tripod has been erected and a giant black cockatoo is perched at the top. The tripod structure is preventing access for log trucks to the contentious old growth logging area in the Upper Florentine while enabling access for tourists.

“Today we have stopped the transportation of our high conservation value old growth forests, from the south west wilderness, to the Triabunna chip mill and then to the Asian market place to make low grade paper product” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ed Hill.

“The old growth forests of the Upper Florentine are far more valuable left standing for tourism, climate stability, biodiversity and endangered species retention. Instead the Bartlett government insists on strategic and swift liquidation of these iconic areas for short term marginal economic gains” said Mr Hill.

“David Bartlett has shown his true environmental credentials this month, starting with the liquidation of ancient forest for wood chips in the Upper Florentine one week and then taking the axe to Tasmania’s environment department” said Mr Hill.

“David Bartlett’s blatant disregard for the environment as an issue for Tasmania is worrying indeed. Tasmania’s environment is the foundation of our economy and society. The Premier is not creating a “new Tasmania”, he is re-hashing the worst policies of the Lennon era” said Mr Hill.

“The forests of the Upper Florentine are refuges for threatened species such as the Tasmanian Devil and Wedge Tailed Eagle. There is federal legislation that protects these animals in the form of the EPBC act; however the Regional Forest Agreement is exempt. The Federal Government must intervene to protect Tasmania’s old growth forests and up hold their EPBC act which the Tasmanian Government and the RFA is making a mockery of” said Mr Hill.

“A Senate inquiry into the RFA will soon reveal the truth about this utterly flawed process, which provides no protection to endangered species” concluded Mr Hill. 

 

Arrests are expected to take place today at the protest site.

22 Arrests on Mother's Day in Forest Protest

300 people attended the rally at the start of the controversial new logging road. Speakers including Tim Morris MP, Geoff Law, and acclaimed photographer Rob Blakers addressed the crowd, as well as local forest campaigners and Derwent valley residents. 

Police formed a human barricade across the road to try and prevent conservationists from entering the exclusion zone. A number of Derwent Valley residents who have been lobbying the government to save the area crossed the line in peaceful protest and were arrested. This brought the total number of arrests to 15.

50 people then walked down Timbs Track, a walking track that parallels the logging area not in the exclusion zone. From there they walked through the rainforest and into the coupe. As a result police ordered logging contractors to stop work and their machines were locked into a giant cage that has been constructed. Once in the coupe, 7 further community members were arrested, bringing the total arrests to 22. 32 people have been arrested in the last week.

A diverse range of people were arrested including veteran forest campaigner Geoff Law, a local woman in her seventies from Westerway and a 17 year old male.

"Today's rally highlights the massive amount of support for the campaign to end old growth logging. David Bartlett must solve this dispute swiftly if he doesn't want it to become an election issue, which it most likely will as the majority of Tasmanians want to see an end to this wood chip driven madness," said spokesperson Ed Hill.

"The huge diversity of people from all walks of life here today confirms that this is a mainstream issue that average Tasmania's want solved before it is too late for our old growth forests," said Mr. Hill. "The Tasmanian public has had enough of this government's rampant old growth logging regime, they have had enough of the lies that Forestry Tasmania pedal to try and prop up their obviously unsustainable industry, and they have had enough of seeing their forests sold off with marginal returns to the tax payer and massive profits for climate criminals Gunns ltd." Said Mr Hill.

"Today we had local community members getting arrested for defending their own backyard. Local residents of the Derwent Valley have exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. They have been refused a meeting with Premier Bartlett and Primary Industries Minister David Llewellyn several times. Now as the chainsaws and bulldozers tear apart this ancient forest, what option to these people have but peaceful community protest?" said Ed Hill.

The 22 arrested were taken to Hobart where they are currently being processed, they have been charged with trespass.

All photos: Matthew Newton www.matthewnewton.com.au

Conserationist Bailed under Virtual House Arrest

The protester who chained her self to a truck carrying pulp logs from the Upper Florentine has been charged and bailed. Bridget Gattenby, 21 of Mountain River was charged with public nuisance and obstructing a road. Her bail conditions prevent her from leaving her familly home between the hours of 7am and 3pm daily and state that she may have to present herself to police if requested to do so.

 

"Tasmania police continue to show the public whose interests they really represent. By enforcing heavy handed and over-the-top bail conditions on peaceful protesters the police are clearly acting in the interest of Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Limited. This is an attempt by Tasmania police to try stamp out peaceful protests in the Upper Florentine by trying to make it hard as possible for peaceful protesers to conduct their activities," said spokesperson Ed Hill.

 

"I'm virtually under house arrest. I thought that bail conditions like the ones i have were only used on serious criminals who pose a threat to society, not peaceful demonstrators who are actually trying to bring positive change which will benefit the whole commmunity. These bail conditions are obvioulsy politically motivated, I pose no threat to society and do don't deserve to be under virtual house arrest. Tasmania police seem to be more interested in protecting the profits of Gunns Ltd than acting in the public interest," said Bridget Gattenby.

 

"What we are seeing here is an obvious step up in the approach of Tasmania police in relation to bail conditions. On Wednesday 5 people were arrested and recieved various heavy handed conditions such as curfews and daily reports to the police. Today they placed a bright young woman with vision for our future under virtual house arrest. This has obviously been a concerted decision from police to step up their attack on environmentalists. David Bartlett is using the police force as his own privated forest millitia to oversee the annihilation of our remaing areas of old growth forest," said Ed Hill.

 

"Tasmania police refused to investigate an alledged assault by a Forestry Tasmania employee on Wednesday. It is unacceptable that the police wont even investigate an assault committed by Forestry Tasmania yet they are happy to place a peaceful protester who poses no threat to society under virtual house arrest," said spokesperson Ed Hill.

Pulp logs head to woodchip mill

A female protester who chained herself to a truck carrying pulp logs, in the Upper Florentine has been arrested this evening. She has been taken to Bridgewater police station for processing. This is the tenth arrest in five days since police began removing protesters from the area. Police have maintained a constant presence at the logging site since 5:30am monday morning and have told protesters they will be there untill logging has finished.

 

"Tasmania police are acting like the private security guards of corporate climate criminals Gunns Ltd. It is not in the public interest for their police force to be overseers of the destruction of our finest natural heritage. It seems the Bartlett government is happy to funnel as much money as it takes into this police operation to see that this ancient wilderness forest is obilerated forever," said Ed Hill.

"I'm sure many of the officers out there would prefer to be keeping the community safe catching real criminals rather than prosecuting people who unselfishly take a stand for Tasmania's forests. Peaceful activists pose no threat to our community, they are trying to improve our community and environment not threaten it," concluded Mr Hill.

Conservationist stops woodchip truck

A conservationist has chained herself to a log truck on Gordon River road in the Upper Florentine this afternoon. The truck is carrying pulp logs from the old growth forest coupe FO44A to the Gunns-owned Triabunna chip mill.

The road is blocked to truck traffic however cars can still get through. The blockade has prevented three gravel trucks from carrying out work on the controversial road into wilderness forest. 

 

"The timber on the back of this truck was once a part of 400 and 500 year old trees that were mature long before the world had even heard of Australia. These are some of the last temperate tall forests in the world that should be regarded as a national treasure. Instead Premier Bartlett is sanctioning their destruction for low grade paper products for the Asian market," said spokesperson Ed Hill.

 

"Forestry Tasmania claims yesterday that coupe FO44A in the Upper Florentine has a "very high volume" of sawlogs are utterly ridiculous. Last January Forestry Tasmania publicly conceded that 80 to 90% of the timber in the coupe would be woodchipped. How can anyone believe Ken Jefferey's out right lies regarding saw log volume when Forestry Tasmania have already admitted that the vast majority of the coupe will be chipped. The fact of the matter is that the forest is so ancient that there simply aren't many saw logs in their to start with. Most trees are very old, hollow, twisted and unsuitable for milling. Forestry's pathetic lies over saw log volume are an attempt to convince a very sceptical public of the legitimacy of the operation which is clearly woodchip driven," Ed Hill said.

 

"We are already seeing the start of a massive down turn in the woodchip market, with ports drowning under woodchip stockpiles and mills being forced to close periodically. Why then does the Labor government insist on decimating these last pristine areas that will be thrown on the chip heap and attempted to be sold in an increasingly stagnant market?"

"This is a last ditch effort by Forestry Tasmania under the guidance of Gunns and with the financial backing of the Bartlett government to systematically destroy these final areas before a senate inquiry recommends changes to the regional forest agreement to not be exempt from the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act," concluded spokesperson Ed Hill.

Activist pursues private prosecution of FT staff members

A conservationist who was arrested in the Upper Florentine valley yesterday is pursing a private prosecution against Forestry Tasmania staff members, regarding an alleged assault and false imprisonment.

“After receiving legal advice we will be pursuing private prosecutions against Forestry Tasmania staff member Scott Marriott for false imprisonment and assault and another member of their staff for false imprisonment. We will be taking this particular legal avenue as we lack confidence in Tasmania Police,” said spokesperson Ed Hill.

Natalie Keane, 31, of Hobart says she was illegally detained and assaulted by Forestry Tasmania staff members in the quarry site the protest occurred in yesterday. “I have been assaulted at forest protests previously where there is clear video footage of the perpetrator’s however Tasmania Police have failed to prosecute them. That’s why this time I will be seeking a private prosecution,” said Ms Keane.

“Tasmania police claim they are impartial on this issue, why then do they continually fail to prosecute forest industry thugs who repeatedly perpetrate violence towards peaceful protesters? If Tasmania Police were to act in the public interest they would immediately press charges against violent forestry workers who regularly assault peaceful protesters standing up for Tasmania’s world heritage valued forests,” concluded Mr Hill.

Conservationists to charge Forestry Tasmania staff with assault

Two activists are being charged with assault despite claiming that they were assaulted by a member of forestry Tasmania.

 

Two of the activists will be charging Scott Marriott, a Forestry Tasmania employee, with assault as soon as they are bailed. It is alleged that Mr Marriott kicked peaceful protesters who were at this morning's protest.

 

"The forest industries record of violence against peaceful protesters speaks for itself. It has been proved time and time again that it always the forest industry who are behind violent attacks on peaceful demonstrators. Last November two activists were assaulted by logging contractors in the Upper Florentine and two cars we're burnt in a barbaric act of blatant violence. Contractors involved in that incident have had charges laid," said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ed Hill.

 

"Conservationists have been the victims of violent attacks from the forest industry for over two decades. Violence from forest industry thugs has become routine in the Upper Florentine, however it will not stop the determination of peaceful activists to stand up for Tasmania's globally significant old growth forests," continued Mr Hill.

 

"Forestry Tasmania are using desperate smear campaign tactics to discredit environmentalists and distract the public from the rampant violence that they are unleashing on our old growth forests. The real violence here is the roading, logging burning and wood chipping of our world heritage valued forests." concluded Mr Hill.

Forestry Employees assault conservationists

Four Upper Florentine Arrests, Forestry Tasmania Employee Assaults Two Female Conservationists.

Four conservations have been arrested this morning, as they stopped gravel trucks from entering a quarry. The trucks are taking quarried gravel to the controversial old growth logging road.

Conservationists were physically prevented from leaving the quarry area by Forestry Tasmania employees, with two people assaulted by Forestry Tasmania employee Scott Marriot, including kicking one female protestor.

Two of the arressted will appear in Hobart magistrates court this morning.

"These assaults by a Forestry Tasmania employee are outrageous. Will David Bartlett condemn this violence as strongly as he vilifies peaceful protestors standing up for Tasmania's ancient forests? These kind of actions demonstrate who the real extremists in the Upper Florentine are," Ed Hill said.

A conservationist has locked their arms into a barrel filled with concrete to prevent access to the quarry. The quarry is outside the exclusion zone on an area of public land. When police arrived at the scene they immediatley arrested the three other conservationists for "public nuisance".

"We see these heavy handed tactics, as an attempt by Tasmania police to intimidate conservationists for standing up for Tasmania's forests. In the past when police have used the public nuisance charge against conservationists it has been thrown out in court. This is an attempt by Tasmnaia Police to silence and restrict peaceful protest activity even though they know that their pathetic charges will not stand up in court." said spokesperson Ed Hill.

"Tasmania police need to understand that the public will not be silenced on this issue and that their intimadtory tactics will not silence the will of forests campaigners to stand up and defend these natural wonders."

"It's a shame to see Tasmania police once again looking after the interests of wood chipping barons Gunns Ltd, by protecting them from the public's disapproval; of their wholesale destruction of our iconic old growth forests."

The felling of ancient trees in the area has begun and futher stop work protests and arrests are expected to take place today, in conjunction with the midday rally at parliament lawns.

Logging imminent...

POLICE REMOVE TREE PLATFORM, TREE SITTER REMAINS UP.
LOGGING OF COUPE 44A TO COMMENCE.
MIDDAY PROTEST AT PARLIAMENT LAWNS

Another tree platform has been removed by police late yesterday afternoon; the person occupying the platform has climbed away from police and remains up the tree.

Logging machinery is expected to arrive at the controversial old growth coupe 44A this morning. Conservationists will stay in the area to continue protesting and to monitor operations. At least five Police have maintained a presence in the area throughout the night, in a semi permanent mobile police station bus that has been established on the site.

"Tasmania Police will again show the public whose interests they represent as they personally escort logging machinery into this pristine wilderness forest."

"Today we will bear witness to mass destruction of this pristine ancient eco-system, we will watch trees that were mature when Abel Tasman first sighted this island in 1642, come down in an instant."

"These natural wonder's of the world should be treasured and nurtured, instead they are systematically destroyed inch by inch and then napalmed from the air to leave no trace at all. Today is a sad day not just for Tasmania but the whole world, as these globally significant world heritage valued forests are rushed to the chip mill." Spokesperson Ed Hill said.

"Tasmania should be leading the world in sustainable forest management instead of wiping the last old growth area’s off the face of the planet forever.”

"David Bartlett has a responsibility to protect these final old growth stands, for the future of Tasmania and for global biodiversity retention and climate stability."

A rally at parliament lawns will be held at midday today to support conservationists still in the Upper Florentine and call on David Bartlett to immediately cease operations in the area.Senator Christine Milne will address the gathering.

Further protests are expected throughout the day in the Upper Florentine.

Activists condemn Premier Bartlett's comments

Two Activists Released From Remand,

One Further Arrest.

 

"David Bartlett is claiming that forest defenders are holding a gun to his head. In reality, the only Gunns being held are by David Bartlett, and it is a very warm embrace indeed," Still Wild Still Threateaned spokesperson Ed Hill said.

 

"Still Wild Still Threatened are simply calling for the Premier to respect the wishes of Tasmanians, as shown during the Tasmania Together process, and put an end to old growth logging. David Bartlett and Forestry Tasmania response to the Tasmanian community is to resort to cheap spin doctoring and attacks on the legitimacy of hard working volunteer forest defenders," Ed Hill said.

 

"David Bartett is not building a new Tasmania - he is re-hashing the worst policies of the Lennon era. This is not a visionary, forward looking policy, it is a cheap attempt to marginalise environmentalists to rescue Labor's falling voter support, as seen in the 26% swing against Michael Aird in the legislative council elections," Ed Hill said.

 

The two conservationists held on remand last night have been freed after attending the Hobart Magistrates Court. 34 year old Emma Capp, of Hobart, was bailed with conditions not to enter any Forestry Tasmania land or premises . Ali Alishah was convicted of trespass and ordered to pay a $500 fine.

 

"We have written letters, signed petitions, organised rallies, fundraising events and community forums, and met with politicians. This has failed to remind the Bartlett government of the overwhelming public support for ending old growth logging. As logging machinery enters the Upper Florentine to rip apart this pristine ecosystem for woodchips, I felt I had no other option but to take part in peaceful, direct action in defense of Tasmania's ancient forests, " Emma Capp said.

 

"Peaceful, direct action is a last resort. When David Bartlett recklessly endangers Tasmania's future by sanctioning the destruction of old growth forests and the pollution of the atmosphere, he is failing future generations. I want the children of the future to be able to visit old growth forests in the Upper Florentine, and not have their experience of wilderness restricted to the pictures on Forestry Tasmania's disingenuous tourist brochures," Said Ms Capp.

 

"At 2:30 this afternoon a 26 year old female forest defender was removed from a 45 metre high tree sit by Police Rescue. Police continue to climb trees to remove more tree sits in the area. Logging machinery is expected to arrive tomorrow and stop work protests are expected to take place," Ed Hill said.

90% of the Upper Florentine unavailable for logging?

A Man has been arrested this morning after being removed from a tree by police this morning.

The man spent all night in the tree sitting on a branch, after police removed his platform yesterday. Two more conservationists remain up trees defying police orders to come down.

  

Still Wild Still Threatened has today released maps that disprove Forestry Tasmania's claims that 90% of the Upper is unavailable  Florentine is available for harvesting.

 

"Forestry's track record of telling the truth speaks for itself. If Forestry Tasmania think they can make false claims that suit their own interests without members of the public scrutinizing their claims then they have underestimated the publics concern over this issue."

 

"The maps clearly show that the majority of tall eucalypt forest is not protected, and is available or wholesale wood chip driven destruction"

 

"Forestry claim they have the support of the general public, if that was the case then they wouldn't be making false claims to try and convince Tasmanian's that their operations are sustainable. They are clearly not." Said spokes person Ed Hill

 

The woman removed from the tunnel yesterday is still waiting to appear in Hobart magistrates court. 

Pushing into the Upper Florentine continues

Police are continuing to dismantle the elaborate system of tree sits and road blocks today. The arrival of logging machinery is now imminent, however logging is yet to commence.

 

Support in numbers is expected throughout the day as the community rallies to support the blockade. A peaceful rally is planned for today in solidarity with people still occupying the ancient trees.

 

The two conservationists held on remand last night are expected to be released at 9am this morning in Hobart. "They are peaceful conservationists who are concerned about how we as a state are contributing to the decaying state of the planet. In the future these people may be regarded as heroes, history will be the judge," said spokesperson Ed Hill.

 

"The peaceful protesters in the Upper Florentine care about Tasmania's environment and community and contribute to it in so many ways, yet the Tasmanian Police insist on treating them like hardened criminals by enforcing over the top remand conditions," said Mr Hill. 

 

“We once again reiterate our calls to meet with Premier Bartlett and key industry stakeholders to come to a solution to this decade’s long dispute. Premier Bartlett needs to understand that he leaves us no option but civil disobedience if he continues refusing to engage with forest campaigners,” concluded Mr Hill.

 

Protest activity is expected to escalate throughout the week.

Dangerous Police Activity

Police have once again used dangerous methods of dealing with protester's late this afternoon when they used a large model excavator to dig a woman out of a tunnel under the road. Police removed all protesters from the legal view point on Gordon River rd, so no filming of the tunnel excavation could take place. The arrested woman from Hobart is being held in remand in the city tonight, along with the Hobart man arrested earlier this morning. 

"The use such a large machine to removed the peaceful protester from a tunnel under the road is clearly dangerous and irresponsible. By removing witnesses from the legal view point on Gordon River Rd, the police are making it clear that their removal operation is dangerous and off limits to public scrutiny." Said spokesperson Ed Hill.   

"This comes after a series of dangerous and irresponsible actions by police in the Upper Florentine when dealing with conservationists. Last week they cut a fuel line to a car blocking the road causing a seriously worrying fire, and this week they are using heavy machinery over the head of a peaceful protester." 

"Holding peaceful protesters overnight on remand is uneccesary and heavy handed. These people are not murderers or bank robbers, they are peaceful conservationists who are concerned about how we are contributing to a worsening environment. In the future these people may be regarded as heros whose calls we should've listened to long ago. The peaceful protesters in the Upper Florentine care about Tasmania's environment and community and contribute to it in so many ways, yet the Tasmanian Police insist on treating them like hardened criminals by enforcing over the top remand conditions." Said Mr Hill. 

Protest activity is ecxpected to escalate throughout the week.

Upper Florentine Blockade Holds Firm

Police continue to remove road blockades in the upper florentine so the logging of the contentious old growth forests can commence.

Police have removed one car that was was blocking the road and the conservationist that had chained herself inside it. As of four pm police we're still trying to remove one of the three people occupying tree sits. Most road blockade's and structures remain in place. 

 

2 conservationists have been arrested today and many more are expected to follow throughout the coming weeks. The two will be charged with trespass and are currently being held in a police bus on the site. 

 

"For three years we have been campaigning to protect the world heritage valued forests of the Upper Florentine. We have lobbied state and federal governments, met with ministers, wrote letter's, held rallies, created petetions and listened to thousands of people voice their outrage at the logging of this forest. The time has now come where we have to put our bodies on the line as a last resort to save this area. The government has ignored it's constituents persistant requests to end old growth logging, but it insists of destroying the final stands of old growth forest for wood chips. If the government continue's to ignore the fact that the majority of tasmanian's want to see an end to old growth logging, then it should expect futher acts of civil disobedience from it's constituents who have exhuasted all other options of campaigning." said spokesperson Ed Hill

 

"Protecting old growth forests is a proven and viable way of lessening the impacts of climate change. If Kevin Rudd was serious about climate change he would immediatley end the logging and burning of carbon dense old growth forests."

 

"It is unacceptable that forestry tasmania do not measure carbon emmissions from logging and burning when there is so much scientific evidence that these activities create massive amounts of emmissions." 

 

"It's hard to take Kevin Rudd's Emmission's Trading Scheme seriously while he allows Forestry Tasmania to log, burn and wood chip carbon dense old growth forests." Said Mr Hill

 

Conservationists are holding a walk in rally tommorow, to support people still in tree sits.

A mass rally is planned for Sunday and a heavy police presence is expected all week. 

60 Police raid Camp Florentine

Photo credit: Emma Capp

MEDIA RELEASE

3/5/09

Police move in so logging may begin.

  

 

60 Police have raided camp Florentine this morning to remove road blockades so that logging of the contentious area can begin. An Exclusion Zone has been declared by Forestry Tasmania, to prevent public access to the area. A Hobart man has already been arrested for being in the exclusion zone. More arrests are expected today.  

 

Three conservationists are positioned 50 m up tree platforms blocking the access road and log landing. Two conservationists are chained to vehicles cemented into the road. Another is occupying a tunnel that has been dug under the road preventing access to the old growth logging area.

 

The protest camp has been running since 2006 when Forestry Tasmania began pushing a new road through pristine wilderness forest. Despite widespread public condemnation Forestry Tasmania now plan to log 25 hectares of the first 50 hectare coupe, 80% of the timber will be wood chipped. 

 

“It’s disappointing to see, once again, Tasmania Police being the public escort for Gunns Ltd and Forestry Tasmania’s ruthless plans to log our remaining old growth forests into extinction. 80% of the forest that will be logged will go to Asia to make wrapping, toilet and writing paper. Is this how we want our iconic world heritage valued forests to be remembered?” said spokesperson Ed Hill.

 

“The logging industry is facing massive cutbacks and a stagnant wood chip market. Ports are drowning under wood chip stockpiles, yet this government insists on continuing to decimate the pristine, carbon dense forests of the upper Florentine for woodchips.” Said Mr. Hill

 

“This is a last ditch effort by the Bartlett Government and their good mates Gunns Ltd to obliterate remaining old growth areas before the state of the wood chip market prevents them from doing so.”

 

“Given the current economic climate it is irresponsible of David Bartlett to allow our iconic, globally recognized old growth forests to be destroyed forever for short term marginal gain. David Bartlett should realize the long term value of our forests for tourism, carbon storage, habitat, clean air and water.” Said Mr. Hill

 

Hundreds of people are expected to attend a community rally in the upper Florentine this Sunday, to support the actions of the conservationists.

Police Raid on the Florentine

MEDIA RELEASE

1.5.2009

Car on Fire, One Activist Arrested

 

10 police raided Camp Florentine yesterday. While attempting to remove a forest defender locked-onto a car cemented into the logging road the car actually caught on fire. Police made anattempt to put the fire out and the activist locked-off, was arrested by police and immediately taken to Bridgewater Police Station.

 

"Police need to explain how and why a car caught on fire while they were removing a peaceful forest defender. Protestors in the Upper Florentine have always remained peaceful and ensured the safety of all parties involved, we would expect the same of police," said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson, Ed Hill.

"The actions of police today at camp Florentine concern us greatly. Conservationists engaged in peaceful protest activity in defence of Tasmania's forests deserve to have their basic human rights and safety taken into consideration when they are being dealt with by police" said Mr Hill.
 
"We need an urgent resolution to the problems that Forestry Tasmania create by conducting roading and logging operations in highly contentious, irreplaceable old growth forests. We reiterate our calls for the State and Federal Governments to sit down with forest campaigners and key stakeholders and work out an intelligent solution to this decades-long dispute" said Mr Hill.

 

"The ancient forests of the Upper Florentine Valley are globally recognised as being of the highest conservation value. We urge Prime Minister Rudd and Premier Bartlett to heed the advice of the IUCN and the World Heritage Committee and ensure that these pristine forests receive the protection they deserve" said Mr Hill.