Upper Florentine news

FORESTRY TASMANIA ACCUSED OF PUSH POLLING

2009-11-02T10:46:00.002+11:00

Expensive polling and cheap spin doctoring used to justify ancient forest logging.

Still Wild Still Threatened has today accused Forestry Tasmania of push polling and lodged a complaint to the Market Research Society of Australia over alleged breaches in their Code of Professional Conduct.

The EMRS poll for Forestry Tasmania released earlier this week told respondents that an 'anti-forestry' group had carried out a 'coordinated attack' on major public buildings around the world.

Ed Hill of SWST said that this term is blatantly false and designed to achieve a negative result. Follow this link to the Still Wild Still Threatened website to view images of the so called "attack" http://www.stillwildstillthreatened.org/image-video-galleries/actions

He said the peaceful protests that had been carried out internationally by Still Wild Still Threatened could not be described as a coordinated attack on public buildings - a term which brings to mind images of September 11th. Forestry Tasmania is using distorted language to link forest protesters with terrorism, said Mr Hill.

"This is not only blatantly inaccurate and defamatory. It also cynically exploits public disgust with terrorism for Forestry Tasmania's benefit."

The use of the term attack on public buildings is a breach of the Code of Professional Conduct for Market Research, said Mr Hill. The Code states that the researcher must not make misleading and inaccurate statements in order to secure Respondents co-operation. This is clearly what has happened in this case as the researcher has inaccurately and misleadingly described the protest to respondents deliberately securing their negative response. Forestry Tasmania has resorted to expensive push polling, paid for with public money and cheap spin doctoring, to justify ancient forest logging. Said Mr Hill.

Mr Hill said that SWST had also written to EMRS to objecting to the terminology and to seek a public apology.

TCA Smear Campaign uses Bogus Photos, Ill-gotten Car

2009-11-02T10:46:00.001+11:00

Still Wild Still Threatened were appalled at the desperate smear campaign mounted by Timber Communities yesterday on Parliament Lawns. The bogus photos of Camp Florentine mid-dismantling mislead the public and make a mockery of TCA's credibility.

After conservationists were forcibly evicted from Camp Florentine by Forestry Tasmania and Tasmania Police, dismantling of the protest camp began and all personal belongings, tools, and other camping equipment were returned to the rightful owners and the demolished building materials and infrastructure was all properly disposed of.

“The stunt on Parliament Lawns yesterday was a desperate attempt by Timber Communities Australia to take the focus off the disaster that is clearfell logging and recent job losses in the woodchipping industry due to the market downturn,” says Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson, Natalie Keene.

“Still Wild Still Threatened asks how Forestry Tasmania, an arm of the Government, can give Timber Communities Australia, a lobby group, a crushed car removed from a protest site as propaganda to mislead and distract the public,” says Ms Keene.

“Clearfelling, and its spin-off practice aggregated retention, are draconian, third-world practices and woodchipping is an economically unviable industry laying waste to our ancient forests. Industrial scale logging and woodchipping has created a mess our of our pristine forests and the devastation of a clearfell is undeniable and irrevocable” says Ms Keene.

In late 2008 inspectors from the Derwent Valley Council investigated the OH&S of the protest site , approving the safety of all temporary dwellings and hygiene employed by the campers.

Camp Florentine is celebrating 3 years of standing up for the ancient forests of the Upper Florentine this week and a family picnic day will be held in the forest this Sunday, all are welcome.

Styx Cable Logging

2009-10-17T15:49:00.004+11:00

Let the images speak for themselves. Each image is clickable.

Styx Cable Logging

2009-10-17T15:46:00.002+11:00

Logging operations were stopped for the day in old growth forest in the Styx Valley while 40 conservationists in Hobart CBD marked out the shape of the 72 hectare Styx Valley logging coupe.

"It took over two hours for 40 people to mark the giant area that is getting clearfelled in the Styx Valley right now. This massive coupe represents just one of 290 native forest logging coupes on public land that Premier Bartlett will decimate this financial year." spokesperson Ed Hill said.

Follow this link to view the superimposed map.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=104810591614740617850.000475536382bbb370da0&z=16

"This logging site in the Styx Valley doesn't look much different to illegal logging sites in Indonesia, the difference being that logging of rainforest in Tasmania is legal." Mr Hill said.

"Tasmania should be world leader in sustainable forestry; instead Premier Bartlett is clearfell cable logging huge swathes of old growth forest right to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area boundary."

"As the logging industry faces major cut backs and stagnant markets it is obvious there is necessity for re-invention. Cable logging is out dated, highly destructive, and clearly not the sustainable direction the industry needs to be heading.” Said Mr Hill.

MORE FLORENTINE CHARGES DROPPED

2009-10-01T15:10:00.002+10:00

Police question credibility of FT staff

Charges of assault and public nuisance against forest protestors in the Upper Florentine have been dropped in Hobart magistrate’s court today. Natalie Keene, 31 of Hobart, Ali Alishah, 25 of Hobart and Lee Sargent 29 of Kaoota had charges of assault and public nuisance dropped and Lauren Platzer, 23 of Kaoota, had her public nuisance charge dropped.

Principal legal officer Mark Miller made a statement in court that questioned the credibility of Forestry Tasmania employees involved in the incident as they used their cars to block a road preventing peaceful protesters from leaving the area. Mr Miller also made it clear that no peaceful protester was committing a nuisance or assault as Forestry Tasmania staff claimed.

"Once again we're seeing Forestry Tasmania leading the police down the garden path to once again make wrongful arrests of peaceful forest defenders. Premier Bartlett must resolve this issue and engage with forest campaigners rather than leaving it up to Tasmania police who have repeatedly had to drop charges due to FT’s incompetence and misleading claims that have led to dozens of wrongful arrests.

Forestry Tasmania is a government enterprise out of control; Premier Bartlett must pull them into line and resolve the continual cycle of his police force being misled and making wrongful arrests." Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

"This situation exemplifies Forestry Tasmania's approach to dealing with the public, lie, intimidate and misuse the law. Premier Bartlett must insist FT change the way they do business and resolve the ongoing conflict by giving ancient forests the protection the deserve whilst ensuring a sustainable future for the timber industry by making use of existing plantations." Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

"When this incident occurred in May this year Still Wild Still Threatened consistently stated that these charges were blatantly wrongful and would be thrown out in court. Peaceful forest defenders have been presumed guilty until proven innocent when they've been innocent all along. FT and the State government have vilified forest defenders for their supposed illegal actions and once again they've been found to be legal. Premier Bartlett needs to recognise community concern over the destruction of the Upper Florentine rather than accepting the advice of incompetent and untruthful employees of FT." Said Mr Hill.

"Mr Miller's comments about this incident make it clear that FT staff were the only people committing a nuisance by illegally detaining forest protesters using a government vehicle to block an access road. Still Wild Still Threatened is currently seeking legal advice over the potential for police to charge FT staff with public nuisance." Said Mr Hill.

"Today's decision by the police to not proceed with the charges vindicates the right of our community to peacefully stand up for Tasmania's ancient forests." Concluded Mr. Hill.

MORE FLORENTINE PROTEST CHARGES TO BE DROPPED

2009-10-01T11:20:00.001+10:00

Accusations of assaulting Forestry Tasmania staff unfounded

Tasmania police are today dropping assault and public nuisance charges against four conservationists, arrested in the Upper Florentine last May. Principal legal officer for the police, Mr Mark Miller, will make a statement on the reasons for discontinuing the prosecution against defendants Alishah, Keene, Platzer and Sargent in the Hobart Magistrates Court today at 11.30am in Court No. 4.

“Protests in the Upper Florentine have always been peaceful. Still Wild Still Threatened is committed to peaceful protest and despite Forestry Tasmania’s attempts to discredit the environment movement by making unfounded accusations of violence, we will continue to stand up and peacefully protest against the brutal violence that is logging of ancient forests.” Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

“The forest defenders whose charges have been dropped have constantly maintained their innocence and today Tasmania police will confirm this. Forestry Tasmania needs to stop leading Tasmania police down the garden path and stop using their politically driven influence that leads police to make wrongful arrests.” Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

On Monday, prosecutions against another 16 Florentine protesters were adjourned so that the police could seek advice from the Crown Law office and DPP regarding Forestry Tasmania's claim that another exclusion zone had been found.

CAMP FLORENTINE OUT OF EXCLUSION ZONE

2009-09-22T11:43:00.001+10:00

Over 90 wrongful trespass charges

Conservation group Still Wild Still Threatened have today revealed that the Camp Florentine protest camp has never been in an exclusion zone. The protest has maintained a constant presence in the area since 2006. Forestry Tasmania has consistently stated that the camp is illegal and is situated in an exclusion zone.

Surveyor’s maps of the area clearly show that the protest site and all associated tree sits and other sites of protest activity fall outside the exclusion zone.

Last week it was revealed that Forestry Tasmania had bungled the mapping of the exclusion zone meaning a large area where the majority of protest has occurred in the last three years is outside the exclusion zone. The first arrests occurred in February, 2007 and since then Still Wild Still Threatened estimates that there has been over 90 charges of trespass laid against community members. In light of the exclusion zone being mapped incorrectly all of these people may now appeal against their conviction. "Forestry Tasmania’s incompetence and the inaccurate information they gave police means that the protest site is not in the exclusion zone and not a

single trespass charge against peaceful protesters has ever been legitimate."Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

"Forestry Tasmania’s staggering bungle raises serious doubts about their ability to manage our state’s forests and highlights their lack of accountability as they blindly led police and the State Government to believe that protests in the area were illegal." Said Mr.Hill. "A massive police operation that lasted the entire month of May drained police resources and tied up the force across the state, just to facilitate Forestry Tasmania’s decimation of ancient forest. Tasmania police acted as the public escorts for Forestry Tasmania and blindly followed their directions about where the exclusion zone begins. Tasmania police should have verified the location of the exclusion rather than accepting Forestry Tasmania’s inaccurate information and making wrongful arrests." Said Mr.Hill.

"The State Government has vilified forest protesters for their supposed illegal actions when in fact they’ve been legal all along. Premier Bartlett should apologise to concerned members of the public who have stood up for Tasmania’s forests and wrongfully been arrested and charged, due to the incompetency of the State owned business enterprise Forestry Tasmania." Said
Ed Hill.

WRONGLY CONVICTED UPPER FLORENTINE PROTESTERS URGED TO APPEAL

2009-09-22T11:26:00.000+10:00

Over 90 former defendants to be contacted

Conservationists convicted of trespass in the Upper Florentine valley will be contacted and urged to appeal against their convictions, according to Still Wild Still Threatened.

The organisation that spearheaded protests in the old growth forests of the Upper Florentine said that more than 90 charges of trespass have been laid and gone before the courts since February 2007. Still Wild Still Threatened will put a call out via the internet sites Facebook and Myspace, as well as email contact lists, to the 90 plus people arrested in the Upper Florentine for trespass, including many international visitors, urging them to get legal advice to appeal against their convictions.

This follows the revelation that Forestry Tasmania bungled the exclusion zone boundary and gave wrong information to the police, resulting in the trespass charge against Derwent Valley grandmother Lynda Blyth being dropped. The police have also communicated that trespass charges against others accused of trespass would also be dropped if they fall into the same category as that of Ms Blyth, who was arrested over 200 metres from the exclusion zone.

"Dozens of people have stood up to the Government, Forestry Tasmania and the logging industry to defend the ancient forests of the Upper Florentine and they have been wrongly accused of breaking the law," said Natalie Keene, Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson. “Many have been wrongfully convicted because the police blindly accepted the word of Forestry Tasmania."

"Those wrongly convicted should have legal and other costs incurred through their arrests and trials reimbursed by Forestry Tasmania," Ms Keene said.

The Upper Florentine exclusion zone has been in place off and on according to the bungled boundaries since April 2006. Since then, there have been a constant community presence and numerous protests resulting in over 90 charges of trespass.

"Forestry Tasmania should apologise to all the members of our community they have wrongly accused of breaking the law," said Ms Keene. "We demand that the Tasmanian Government put in place a more effective watchdog for Forestry Tasmania, whose incompetence continues to be exposed." Ms Keene said.

"Premier Bartlett has egg on his face because he blindly accepted Forestry Tasmania's claims that people were breaking the law. We hope this development will encourage him to be less gullible - and more clever - in his approach to the forest issue." said Ms Keene.

ASSAULTED CONSERVATIONISTS APPEAR IN COURT

2009-09-15T11:32:00.001+10:00

Conservationists who were assaulted by logging contractors in the Upper Florentine valley last October will appear as witnesses today in Hobart Magistrates court. Miranda Gibson, 28, of Hobart and Nishant Datt, 23 of Lucaston were assaulted by logging contractors at a protest against logging of a contentious old growth area. The incident was captured on camera and images made headlines across the nation.

“"Whatever the verdict is today, it will not resolve the on-going conflict over Tasmania's forests. What we really need is for the State Government and Gunns to take responsibility for healing the divide in the Tasmanian community. We need a solution that adequately protects high conservation value forests while also addressing the needs of logging communities by providing a genuine sustainable forest industry." Said Miranda Gibson.

“Direct action protests are last ditch efforts to stop the decimation of ancient forests; after all other campaign avenues have been exhausted. The State Government has the capacity to solve the conflict over old growth logging by making use of existing plantations; however they continue to divide our community, and liquidate what remains of unprotected ancient forests.” Said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ed Hill.

Counterclaim against Gunns heard

2009-07-23T13:59:00.001+10:00

Media Release 11:30am 23 July 2009

Case Continues as Triabunna Forest Activists Sue Gunns Over Pulp Mill Claims

Eleven forest activists sued for their part in December’s climate change protest action at Gunns’ Triabunna woodchip mill today took the first step in pursuing a separate claim against Gunns for misleading the public over claims no old growth forests or logs will be used in its proposed Tamar pulp mill.

At a hearing this morning it was confirmed that Gunns are now the defendants in the case, after a June decision by Justice David Porter to separate the claim Gunns’ damages claim over the Triabunna protest and the claim by activists regarding the pulp mill.

“ Gunns Limited have been attempting some fancy footwork to obscure the fact that no one is interested in investing in their old fashioned, filthy, native forest consuming pulp mill,” said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

“ Gunns' claims that no old growth forests or logs will be used in the pulp mill is another plank in their dubious PR strategy to convince investors and the Tasmanian public that the mill will be environmentally friendly,” Warrick Jordan said.

“Any claims that the Bell Bay mill will be environmentally friendly are a load of rubbish. As well as concerns regarding air and water pollution from the mill, it will consume one million tonnes of native forest for the first 2 decades of operation, including high conservation value forests. Gunns' has also not proved that it will not use old growth forests in the mill,” Warrick Jordan said.

“ We firmly believe Gunns have a case to answer, and look forward to seeing them in court as the case progresses,” Warrick Jordan said.

Background: Forest activists are suing Gunns for misleading and deceiving the public over claims that no old growth forests and no old growth logs will be used in its proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill. Activists believe this deception is a breach of Sections 51 and 52 of the Trade Practices Act.

The defendant's counterclaim is based on Gunns' public statements that no ' old growth forests' and no 'old growth logs' will be used in its proposed pulp mill. The defendants are claiming that under sections 52 and 51a of the Trade Practices Act Gunns is engaging in 'deceptive and misleading' conduct. The defendants are seeking an injunction to prevent Gunns from making future statements of the same nature.

Forestry Tasmania Claims are Wrong

2009-06-18T17:24:00.000+10:00

MEDIA RELEASE

17/5/09

OVER 50% OF UPPER FLORENTINE TALL EUCALYPT FORESTS THREATENED BY LOGGING

Still Wild Still Threatened are today calling on Premier Bartlett and Minister David Llewellyn, to instruct Forestry Tasmania to correct the public record and precisely state the extent of planned logging in tall eucalypt forests of the Upper Florentine.

Letters to the Premier and minister’s offices were sent yesterday requesting clarification of data on the Land Information System Tasmania (LIST) website that shows the area available for harvesting in the Upper Florentine is almost double what Forestry Tasmania claim.

“The release of maps and data, compiled from information on the LIST website, has proved clearly that the protected area of the Upper Florentine is significantly smaller than Forestry Tasmania claim it is. The data also shows that 53% of tall eucalypt forest is available for logging and 56% of old growth tall eucalypt forest is available for logging.” Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

“Forestry Tasmania is still denying the facts, that over half the tall forest in the catchment is readily available for wholesale destruction, and that large areas of land within the catchment are protected solely to boost protected land percentages as they are non forest of no commercial value to Forestry Tasmania.”

“Forestry Tasmania has confirmed that the data we are using from the LIST is the same data they are using, why then are they still sticking by their figure of 90%, when our data shows this is clearly not the case”

“The State government must instruct Forestry Tasmania to correct the public record and inform the public of the extent of their logging plans for this ancient wilderness forest.

Elected representatives have a responsibility to verify, with the appropriate maps and data from the L.I.S.T website, Forestry Tasmania’s claims.”

“If the figures that we have compiled from the data are correct as we believe, we request that the State Government corrects Forestry Tasmania’s figures.”

“Data we’ve compiled shows that only 5ha or 20 percent of the Eucalyptus regnans forest within the catchment is protected.

Eucalyptus regnans are the tallest flowering hardwood trees on the planet and a recent study undertaken by the ANU and published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found that these trees are the best in the world at storing carbon.”

“Logging rotations of 30-80 years will never allow Eucalypts that were 400 years at the time of logging, to fully recover and store carbon to the levels it was prior to logging”

“This data and report show how Forestry Tasmania really values our carbon rich old growth forests, as nothing more than a barrier that stands in the way of their desire to establish plantation like regeneration forest.”

“Forestry Tasmania says that extra areas of forest will be protected as significant sites worthy of protection like karst formations, caves, giant trees and endangered species such as wedge tailed eagles are identified.”

“It is well known that the Upper Florentine valley is riddled with special features such as these, and it highlights Forestry Tasmania’s complete disregard for these features as they have done no ground surveying of the area for special values and intend to survey as they log the area.”

“One has to wonder why Forestry Tasmania wants to log an area with so many special features, and how many of these special features will they fail to see before the bulldozers destroy them.” Concluded Mr. Hill.

Forestry Tasmania called to account for misleading claims on Florentine Valley

2009-06-15T13:06:00.000+10:00

Community group Still Wild Still Threatened (SWST) today released new data showing that Forestry Tasmania’s claim that 90% of the Upper Florentine catchment is “protected or otherwise unavailable for logging” is misleading.

50 people gathered at Forestry Tasmania headquarters to hear forest campaigners present new information disputing Forestry’s claims of protected land in the Upper Florentine.

Data compiled by forest campaigners from the Land Information System Tasmania reveal that 53% of the catchment’s commercially desirable tall wet eucalypt forests are still available for logging.

“Forestry Tasmania, the state government, federal MPs and even Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have all claimed that 90% of the Upper Florentine catchment is ‘protected or otherwise unavailable for logging’”, said SWST spokesperson Ed Hill.

“But to date – even despite repeated requests by the Derwent Valley community, a complaint to the Ombudsman and requests under Freedom of Information by a journalist from the Australian newspaper - Forestry has refused to provide any data or maps that verify its claims,” said Mr Hill.

“Now, maps and data compiled by forest campaigners shows that the area of the Upper Florentine catchment that is available for logging is nearly double what Forestry Tasmania has claimed.”

“What’s worse, 53% of tall wet eucalypt forest – the forest type that Forestry most wants to log - remains available for logging,” said Mr Hill. “56% of old growth tall eucalypt forest is available for logging”.

“Tasmania is world-renowned for its tall trees. But 80% of the Upper Florentine’s Eucalyptus regnans old growth forest, the tallest flowering plant species on the planet, is unprotected from logging.”

“If Forestry Tasmania is as transparent as they claim to be they would have released this data to the public. Instead they have left it up to volunteer forest campaigners to sift through data to see if Forestry’s claims are correct.”

“Forestry Tasmania has deliberately not released this data as it contradicts their claims that 90% of the catchment is unavailable for harvesting.”

“If logging in the Upper Florentine is sustainable and ecologically sensitive as Forestry claim, why do they make false and misleading claims to justify their operations?”

“Old growth and tall eucalypt forests not only have important biodiversity values, but are recognised as key carbon sinks. If we are to avoid dangerous climate change, we need to leave these big trees standing”, said Mr Hill.

Long time conservationist Geoff Law said that Forestry Tasmania’s logging plans would destroy the integrity of the entire Upper Florentine valley.

“The Upper Florentine valley will be gutted by Forestry Tasmania’s plans to destroy over 1,000 and as much as 2,000 hectares of old growth forest,” said Mr Law.

Vast Majority of Timber from the Upper Florentine Chipped

2009-06-15T10:00:00.001+10:00

Conservationists from Still Wild Still Threatened are disputing Forestry Tasmania's claims that recently logged forest in the Upper Florentine was not harvested for wood chips.

"Forestry Tasmania claim that saw logs and veneer logs comprised 35% of timber harvested, however they have provided no documents to prove this. The fact remains that the vast majority of timber harvested in the area was wood chipped and exported." Said spokesperson Ed Hill.

"If Forestry Tasmania wants to increase their saw log yield they should stop sending saw logs to the wood chip mills. If you drive from Hobart to Triabunna you will overtake dozens of log trucks on their way to the wood chip mill, many carrying perfectly good saw logs." Said Mr.Hill

"The ancient forests of the Upper Florentine contain few good saw logs as most of the trees are old and hollow, that’s precisely why Forestry Tasmania wants to log the area, to rid it of ancient low grade trees and replace them with a young eucalypt forest resembling a plantation." Said Mr Hill.

“Many special species rainforest trees have been removed from the area and chipped. Species such as Celery Top Pine, Myrtle and Sassafras take centuries to reach harvestable size; current logging practices are wasting this unique resource. Future logging rotations in the area will never allow special species timber to reach productive ages.” Said Mr Hill.

"Forestry Tasmania has continually made claims about the Upper Florentine with no evidence or documents to back them up. If Forestry Tasmania is entering into a "new era of transparency" as they claim, then they need to start providing the public with maps and documents that prove their claims." Said Mr.Hill.

"If logging operations in the Upper Florentine were sustainable and sensitive to the ecological needs of the area then why do Forestry Tasmania constantly come up with outrageous and unsupported claims to prop up the environmentally criminal act, logging of old growth forest."

"Forestry Tasmania's supposed facts and figures are nothing more than smoke and mirrors to distract the public from the fact that they are logging old growth rainforests that in the 21st century in a first world country, should not be logged." Concluded Mr Hill.

Writ Regarding Old Growth in Pulp Mill Accepted, Seperated

2009-06-11T16:51:00.000+10:00

Ruling On Triabunna 13 Strike Out Application

Justice David Porter this afternoon ruled that sections of the defence employed by the Triabunna 13 defendants are admissable in future proceedings. Justice Porter also ruled that the defendants have 14 days to provide further detail regarding the defence that immunity from sections of the writ should exist as the peaceful direct action conducted at the Triabunna woodchip mill was conducted in order to communicate on 'government and political' matters.

The counterclaim brought by the Triabunna 13 defendants, concerning Gunns' public statements that no ' old growth forests' and no 'old growth logs' will be used in its proposed pulp mill, was accepted as admissable, with this claim split off into seperate proceedings.

Gunns' repeated requests for costs to be awarded were ignored, with any costs rulings deferred to the conclusion of proceedings.

“ The Triabunna 13 defendants are pleased with today's decision, and will continue to fight Gunns' efforts to pursue responsible citizens who are standing up for Tasmania's forests and the planet's future. We are confident alterations to our defence, based on the right to freely communicate on political matters, can be made to the court's satisfaction,” Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan said.

“ The Triabunna 13 are particularly happy with the continuation of the claim against Gunns limited regarding their misleading statements that no old growth forests or logs will be used in their proposed pulp mill. We have grave concerns that old growth trees from our iconic southern forests, such as the Weld and Upper Florentine, will be used to supply the pulp mill, and that Gunns', and others in the forestry industry, are misleading the public, and potential investors,” Warrick Jordan said.

“ After the climate change action at Triabunna earlier this month, Gunns ruled out pursuing activists through civil claims,” said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

“Gunns have obviously realised that such legal actions are bad for the company's image, and that they are useless, as activists will not be intimidated from taking strong, peaceful action in defense of ancient forests and the planet's future. We are surprised that Gunns' are continuing with what is shaping up as another long running and embarrassing court battle,” Warrick Jordan said.

Decision On Triabunna 13 Strike Out Application Today

2009-06-11T10:42:00.000+10:00

Media Alert - Thursday, 11th June 2009

13 forest activists sued over the December 2008 climate change action at Gunns’ Triabunna

woodchip mill.

Justice David Porter ruling on Gunns' application to strike out counterclaim and defense.

The original hearing was on the 25.02.2009.

Where: Supreme Court, Salamanca Place, 2.15pm.

The Triabunna 13's defense is based on a right to communicate on government and political matters. Gunns' are suing partly as the action was undertaken to 'publicise the political beliefs' of the defendents. Gunns are seeking damages, punitive damages, and injunctions to prevent further actions. The defendant's counterclaim is based on Gunns' public statements that no ' old growth forests'

and no 'old growth logs' will be used in its proposed pulp mill. The defendants are claiming that under sections 52 and 51a of the Trade Practices Act Gunns is engaging in 'deceptive and

misleading' conduct. The defendants are seeking an injunction to prevent Gunns from making future statements of the same nature.

“After the climate change action at Triabunna earlier this month, Gunns ruled out pursuing activists through civil claims,” said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan. “Gunns have obviously realised that such legal actions are bad for the company's image, and that they are useless, as activists will not be intimidated from taking strong, peaceful action in defense of ancient forests and the planet's future,” Warrick Jordan said.

“I imagine that Gunns' are currently re-assessing the wisdom of targeting committed, peaceful,responsible citizens who will not be dissuaded from defending the environment, and who are willing to engage in court if necessary,” Warrick Jordan said.

Two Arrests as Old Growth Logging Stops

2009-05-28T08:37:00.002+10:00

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

2009-05-28T08:35:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-25T14:29:00.001+10:00

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

2009-05-25T09:21:00.001+10:00

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

2009-05-22T12:43:00.001+10:00

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

2009-05-22T09:57:00.001+10:00

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

2009-05-21T09:59:00.003+10:00

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

2009-05-21T09:53:00.002+10:00

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

2009-05-11T09:33:00.001+10:00

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

2009-05-11T09:29:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-11T09:25:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-11T08:54:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-07T13:01:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-07T08:49:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-06T14:24:00.000+10:00

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...

2009-05-06T14:18:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-05T16:14:00.000+10:00

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?

2009-05-05T13:09:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-05T09:10:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-05T09:02:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-05T08:32:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-04T08:47:00.000+10:00

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

2009-05-01T08:46:00.000+10:00

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.

Climate raid on COAG

2009-04-30T09:50:00.000+10:00

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.

2009-04-23T10:08:00.000+10:00

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

2009-04-21T16:04:00.000+10:00

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

2009-04-21T15:49:00.000+10:00

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?

2009-04-21T15:46:00.000+10:00

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

2009-04-21T14:36:00.000+10:00

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

2009-04-21T14:18:00.000+10:00

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

2009-04-21T14:15:00.000+10:00

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

2009-04-02T15:44:00.000+11:00

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.

Media Release - Monday 23rd March 2009

2009-03-24T11:08:00.000+11:00

Ula Majewski Commences Proceedings Against Workplace Standards Tasmania.

Ula Majewski today instigated proceedings against Workplace Standards Tasmania over its investigation into her role in December's peaceful direct action at Gunns Limited Triabunna woodchip mill. The Indonesian based Ms Majewski is claiming that Workplace Standards have exceeded their powers in their attempted investigation.

“ Workplace Standards have attempted to interrogate me by post when I understand they have no powers to do this. Workplace Standards have previously targeted forest activists, with the Director of Public Prosecutions finding that they had no powers to do so under the Workplace Health and Safety Act,” Ms Majewski said.

“ I do not take kindly to having a letter asking me, for example, why I used a credit card to hire a vehicle. My understanding is that Workplace Standards have gone a long way beyond their mandated role to protect the well being of Tasmania's workers,” Ms Majewski said.

“ This investigation is yet another example of the misuse of taxpayer funded services by the state government. Yesterday saw 150 people decrying the waste of police resources to intimidate people who attended rallies in the Upper Florentine, and we are seeing this same abuse in Workplace Standards investigation into the Triabunna protest. ,” Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Warrick Jordan said.

“ Gunns and Forestry Tasmania are already subsidised by the government, and now David Bartlett is happy to waste the resources of Workplace Standards and Tasmania Police in hounding activists on the behalf of the woodchippers,” Warrick Jordan said.

“ Ms Majewski's commencement of proceedings today, the Triabunna13's defense of Gunns' writ, the recent victory of the Wilderness Society in the Gunns20 case, and yesterdays community action in support of the Upper Florentine demonstrate that Tasmanians will not accept intimidation or suffer spurious legal challenges,” Warrick Jordan said.

Media Release - Sunday 22 March 2009

2009-03-23T12:04:00.000+11:00

150 Take Action in Support of Florentine Activists,
30 Volunteer For Arrest.

Today in Franklin Square over 150 Tasmanians gathered in support of those being pursued by Tasmania Police for attending forest rallies in the Upper Florentine in January, with police taking the details of 30 people who volunteered to be arrested for attending the January rallies.

“ Today was a tremendous show of community support for those willing to put themselves on the line to protect ancient forests such as those of the Upper Florentine,” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Natalie Keene.

“Today confirmed that the state government is willing to waste the resources of the police in order to intimidate those Tasmanians who find the woodchip driven destruction of our last wild forests abhorrent. Anyone who attends a forest rally is apparently now fair game for Tasmania Police ” Natalie Keene said.

“ Tasmania Police should be allowed to get on with their job of keeping the community safe rather than being forced to do the bidding of Forestry Tasmania and Gunns. Today's action was an unequivocal message to the Premier Bartlett – taxpayers will not accept the use of police to support the destruction of forests such as the Weld and Upper Florentine,” Natalie Keene said.

“ Tasmanians from all walks of life have stood up for their forests today, and they will continue to reject the tax-payer funded destruction of our forests,” Natalie Keene said.

Public Event - Friday 20th March 2009

2009-03-20T16:55:00.000+11:00

Community Takes Action in Support of Florentine Activists,

Rejects Waste of Police Resources to Intimidate Tasmanians.

At least 11 people have been questioned by Tasmania Police over their attendance at two peaceful forest rallies in the Upper Florentine in January. A number have been charged with trespass, and one has been threatened with the charge of 'inciting trespass'.

Members of the Tasmanian community approached Still Wild Still Threatened offering their support to those being targeted. As a result, a public event has been planned this Sunday at Franklin Square, followed by a march to Police Headquarters in Liverpool St. Some community members who attended the rallies in the Upper Florentine will attempt to hand themselves in to Tasmania Police.

Speakers include Peter Mcquillan, Pete Hay, Natalie Keene, Warrick Jordan.

Date: This Sunday, 22 March 2009

When: 11am Franklin Square for speeches

11.45am march to Police HQ

12.15pm several people hand themselves in to the Police.

Media Release - Friday 13th March 2009

2009-03-13T15:58:00.000+11:00

Contentious Florentine logging coupe 42F burnt as Forestry Tasmania begins burns season

The regeneration burn of logging coupe FO042F in the Upper Florentine Valley commenced on Wednesday the 11^th of March and has now been completed. This is the first burn of this season in the Florentine Valley. Adjacent coupe FO042E is now being prepared for burning.

“Forestry Tasmania burns over 15,000 hectares of logged forest per annum which according to a Forestry Tasmania study in 2001 emits roughly more than 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is more than the combined emissions of all other sectors in Tasmania as calculated by the Australian Greenhouse Office,” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ali Alishah.

“CO₂ emissions of this scale are directly responsible for driving climate change. Forestry Tasmania’s continued push to log and burn old growth forests which sequester and absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere clearly shows their inadequacy at managing Tasmania’s carbon storage assets,” said Mr. Alishah.

“It also shows their blatant disregard of the Tasmanian community’s wellbeing. Tasmanians enjoy some of the cleanest air in the world on record and during the autumn burning season our quality of air falls below third world standards,” said Mr. Alishah.

“These two old growth coupes in the Upper Florentine valley should not have been logged and the minute pockets reserved within these coupes through the aggregated retention scheme, employed by Forestry Tasmania as an alternative to clearfelling, are in great danger of being incinerated. Aggregated retention, like any logging practice which upholds the wood chipping status quo, is destined to fail in protecting biodiversity and satisfying the Tasmanian public,” said Mr. Alishah.

Media Release - Tuesday 3rd March 2009

2009-03-03T10:16:00.000+11:00

Forest defenders halt operations in the Styx River catchment

Members of Still Wild Still Threatened and the broader community have walked in and halted forestry operations in logging coupe 14C in the Styx River catchment area. Coupe SX014C is a 54 hectare stand of old growth forest which has never been accessed before. It is adjacent to informal reserves which connect to the World Heritage Area.

"Logging this pristine old growth forest which is a great portion of the Styx river's catchment area is an insane disregard for the denizens of the Derwent region,"said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Christo Mills.

"Tampering with these forests will definitely have an adverse effect on the Styx River and consequently on the water for the entire region. Why does Forestry Tasmania insist on lowering the quality of life for Tasmanians?" Mr. Mills said

"In Victoria there is a significant conservation effort aimed at Melbourne's water catchment. Has Forestry Tasmania conducted any peer reviewed studies which show logging operations in water catchment areas do not adversely effect water quality and volumes?" asked Mr. Mills

"This portion of the forest is directly connected to informal reserves which lead to the World Heritage Area. How can we let this forestry operation go through when it will directly the integrity of those reserves?" asked Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ali Alishah.

"This is yet another example of Forestry Tasmania's blinkered approach to managing the future of Tasmania." said Mr. Alishah.

Media Release - 4pm Wednesday 25th February 2009

2009-02-25T16:13:00.000+11:00

Triabunna 13 Case – Decision on Gunns Strike Out Action deferred

Gunns Limited has today attempted to strike out the defense and counterclaim Triabunna 13 forest activists who were sued after a climate change focused action at the Triabunna woodchip mill late last year.

Justice David Porter is currently considering arguments put forward by Gunns Limited and the defendents, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

The Triabunna 13 are suing Gunns over breaches of the Trade Practices Act, claiming that Gunns have mislead and deceived over statements that the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill will not be supplied by old growth forests.

“The Triabunna 13 are confident that both our defense, based on an implied constitutional right to political communication, and our counterclaim will stand up, and we look forward to pursuing these matters with Gunns in court at a later date,” said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

Media Alert - Wednesday 25th February

2009-02-25T14:51:00.000+11:00

First Triabunna 13 Court Appearance Today, Gunns seek to strike out claim

“ The Triabunna 13 view this appearance as the first step in getting Gunns and Calton Frame into the court room. We have strong grounds to believe they have mislead and deceived the Tasmanian public over their claims that no old growth forests and no old growth logs will be used in the Tamar Valley pulp mill,” said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

Media Release - 23 February 2009

2009-02-23T11:45:00.000+11:00

Workplace Health and Safety Pursues Triabunna Activists,

Legal Blitz Questioned

Ula Majewski, an activist involved in December's peaceful direct action at Gunns Limited Triabunna woodchip mill, has received correspondence from Workplace Standards Tasmania (attached) interrogating her over her role in the action.

" The Triabunna action was undertaken to draw attention to the climate change impacts of the Gunns-driven destruction of ancient forest. As a result, activists have been arrested, sued, labelled as terrorists, personally abused by well known logging industry identities, and are now being interrogated with a blatant misuse of Workplace Health and Safety laws," Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Warrick Jordan said.

" In the past week, law abiding Tasmanians and their families who attended peaceful rallies in the Upper Florentine have had Tasmania Police turning up on their doorstep and questioning them as to why they were standing on a public road or in a public forest. Now we have Workplace Standards questioning activists as to why a credit card was used to hire a vehicle," Warrick Jordan said.

"These moves smack of intimidation. Public institutions who's role is to protect the public and protect workers from unsafe working conditions are being used as a tool to intimidate Tasmanians from speaking up over the destruction of old growth forest," Warrick Jordan said.

" The Bartlett Government cannot expect to stir up conflict over forests by logging in iconic valleys such as the Styx, Weld and Upper Florentine, and by pushing though widely unpopular plans such as the Tarkine Road, and then cause further division by misusing public institutions to intimidate ordinary Tasmanians without expecting a public outcry," Warrick Jordan said.

" The directors of Gunns Limited should take a long hard look at the safety of their own workers rather than supporting the spurious misuse of workplace safety laws. Robin Gray and colleagues are happy to weasel their way out of responsibility for the safety of their workers when they are pursued by Workplace Standards, yet expect Workplace Standards to do their bidding ," Warrick Jordan said. ( links to Gunns Workplace Safety investigations below)

"Late last year The Minister for Workplace Relations, Lisa Singh, stated that there should be no political interference in the legal operation of the Workplace Health and Safety Act . Ms Singh was responding to a call from Robin Gray to change legislation in Gunn's favour. We would hope to see that this position still stands," Warrick Jordan said.

" In 2006 Workplace Standards attempted to lay charges over a forest blockade in the Weld Valley, and a peaceful occupation of Forestry Tasmania's head office. The DPP found these charges to be without foundation. So why are we seeing a repeat performance in 2009?"

Warrick Jordan said.

Letter of complaint to Forestry Tasmania

2009-02-18T09:00:00.002+11:00

To: Bob Gordon, Managing Director, Forestry Tasmania, 79 Melville St Hobart TAS 7000.

Dear Mr Gordon,

I am writing on behalf of Still Wild Still Threatened, (SWST). On the 20^th of January 2009, SWST sent a request to yourself, in your capacity as Managing Director of Forestry Tasmania, seeking information regarding FT's operations in the Upper Florentine Valley.

Given Forestry Tasmania's stated commitment to transparency and stakeholder consultation, we were dismayed that the response to this request, as relayed through the media, was a firm refusal to even consider the matter. Derwent District Forester Steve Whitely was quoted by media outlets as saying that FT does not provide information to community members who undertake “media stunts”, an apparent reference to the delivery of the request letter to Forestry Tasmania's Melville Street office.

In the intervening month, no communication has been received by Still Wild Still Threatened from Forestry Tasmania. Given this, we feel obliged to make a formal complaint regarding Forestry Tasmania’s conduct in this situation. Our organisation’s understanding is that FT has made a commitment to openness and transparency, and we feel that the response to date has been wholly unbefitting of a taxpayer funded enterprise mandated to manage Tasmania’s forest estate on behalf of the Tasmanian people.

Certain information requested has been used repeatedly by FT in support of its operations in the Upper Florentine, and we are confused as to why this information is being utilised to support public statements yet cannot be disclosed to the public in its entirety. This approach appears to be incompatible with FT’s responsibilities to the Tasmanian public, and to its previous commitments to open the “battered briefcase”.

We look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Respectfully,

Still Wild Still Threatened.

MEDIA RELEASE: Wednesday, 18th February 2009

2009-02-18T09:00:00.001+11:00

Official Complaint to Forestry over refusal to provide Florentine information

Still Wild Still Threatened has lodged a formal complaint with Forestry Tasmania over its refusal to disclose information regarding logging in the Upper Florentine.

" Last month Still Wild Still Threatened, on behalf of interested sections of the Tasmanian community, requested information regarding logging in the World Heritage valued forests of the Upper Florentine. This included a request for maps supporting Forestry Tasmania's claim that 90% of the Upper Florentine is unavailable for harvesting, "Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ali Alishah said.

" Forestry Tasmania's response was to make media statements that they will not provide information to those who conduct "media stunts", an apparent reference to attempts by community members to deliver the request to Bob Gordon. No correspondence has been received by Still Wild Still Threatened," Ali Alishah said.

" As a taxpayer subsidised government enterprise mandated to manage Tasmania's forests for public benefit, Forestry Tasmania is obliged to provide information to the Tasmanian community. For Forestry Tasmania to make arbitrary judgements as to who should be provided with information reveals an arrogant disregard for community concern over the management of our forests," Ali Alishah said.

" If Bob Gordon is seriously interested in creating a more open and accountable organisation, he would be well placed to make Forestry Tasmania truly responsive to community concerns, rather than resorting to the out of date tactic of keeping the public in the dark," Ali Alishah said.

" Still Wild Still Threatened feels that the wholly inadequate response to this issue justifies a formal complaint, and we hope that the requested information will be provided to the Tasmanian public in the near future," Ali Alishah said.

Be my Florentine...

2009-02-11T17:01:00.000+11:00

Big events this Friday 13th through Sunday 15th.

For all the details, follow this link:

http://www.stillwildstillthreatened.org/main-categories/events/be-my-florentine

Tasmanian children speak out to save their ancient forests.

2009-02-06T09:35:00.000+11:00

Media Alert - 6th February 2009

At midday today at Franklin Square, Tassie kids will be placing their hand-prints and a personal message to the Premier on a banner saying 'Ancient Forests For Our Future'.

"We are frustrated that us young people aren't being listened to. Destroying ancient forests will affect future generations, and the government doesn't seem to care about this. They only care about Gunns," said Hobart school girl Madeleine Irwin, 14 years.

"We will be getting as many young people as possible to place their hand-prints on this banner and write a message to the Premier, and we'll ask for a meeting to give it to him in person," Maddie said.

11 year old, Adam Irwin, Maddie's little brother, is donating one year's pocket money to the campaign to protect the Upper Florentine. " I'm also bottling Tassie spring water and sellng it to make money for the forests. My Dad says its a better business than Gunns at the moment," Adam said.

"David Bartlett seems like a nice guy but he obviously doesn't care about us or the environment. If he did care he would protect the old growth forests like the Upper Florentine," Maddie said.

"Environmental issues like old growth logging and climate change will make a very ugly future for us. Mr Bartlett and John Gay will probably be dead by the time climate change makes the lives of young people very difficult – don't they care about what will happen to their kids?," Maddie said.

Event THURSDAY 5/02 7:30pm

2009-02-04T18:43:00.000+11:00

Film night extravaganza 7:30pm

Upstairs at Sirens Restaurant, Victoria St. Hobart

Lots of new and old short films from the Tassie forest campaign. Come along and help us get these magnificent forests protected.

Media Release - Wednesday 4th Feburary 2009

2009-02-04T13:59:00.001+11:00

TRIABUNNA 13 LAUNCH DEFENCE AND COUNTERCLAIM AGAINST GUNNS LIMITED AND CALTON FRAME.

The 13 forest activists sued over December's climate change focused shutdown of Gunns' Triabunna woodchip mill lodged their defence in the Launceston Supreme Court late yesterday afternoon.

The activists' defence is based on the legal right to communicate information about government and political matters.

"The peaceful action at the Triabunna woodchip mill was conducted in direct response to the federal government's climate change White Paper, and to the ongoing destruction of Tasmania's ancient forests – a political issue if ever there was one," Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant Warrick Jordan said.

The forest activists have also served a counterclaim on Gunns Limited and Calton Frame, which states that representations regarding the use of old growth logs in Gunns' proposed pulp mill are misleading and deceptive. The counterclaim seeks an order that Gunns Limited and Calton Frame be permanently restrained from representing that no wood from old growth forests and no old growth logs will be used in the pulp mill.

"Gunns have consistently claimed that their proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill will not use old growth logs. Our counterclaim states that Gunns have used misleading and deceptive representations, which constitutes a breach of Section 52 of the Trade Practices Act," Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant Ula Majewski said.

"Gunns Limited have failed to show any accountability in regards to the public, the media, political process or Tasmania's natural environment. However, Gunns Limited and Calton Frame are certainly accountable to the courts" said Warrick Jordan.

"Much of Gunns' efforts to raise finance for the proposed mill have relied heavily on its alleged environmental credentials as has its social license. The Tasmanian and Australian publics as well as potential investors deserve better than to be subjected to these kinds of deceptive and misleading representations" said Ula Majewski.

TRIABUNNA 13 LAUNCH DEFENCE AND COUNTERCLAIM AGAINST GUNNS LIMITED

2009-02-04T10:14:00.001+11:00

The 13 forest activists sued over December's climate change focused shutdown of Gunns' Triabunna woodchip mill lodged their defense in the Launceston Supreme Court late yesterday afternoon.

The activists' defence is based on legislative rights to communicate information about government and political matters.

The forest activists have also served a counterclaim on Gunns Limited.

"Gunns have consistently claimed that their proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill will not use old growth logs. Our counterclaim states that Gunns have used misleading and deceptive representations, which constitutes a breach of Section 52 of the Trade Practices Act" Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant Ula Majewski said.

"Gunns Limited have failed to show any accountability in regards to the public, the media, political process or Tasmania's natural environment. However, they are accountable to the courts" said Huon Valley Environment spokesperson and Triabunna 13 defendant Warrick Jordan.

Media Release - Saturday 31st January 2009

2009-02-02T15:37:00.001+11:00

GIANT UPPER FLORENTINE FOREST RALLY

Over 550 Tasmanians rallied for the protection of the old growth forests of the Upper Florentine valley today. Speakers included campaigner and author, Geoff Law, Tasmanians Against the Pulp Mill representative, Bob McMahon, Derwent Valley local, Inger Visby, and Still Wild Still Threatened's Ula Majewski.

"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. Today the greater community has once again come out in force to protect these vitally important old growth and high conservation value forests," said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ali Alishah.

The community walked the length of the incomplete road that opens 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.

The community called upon the Premier of Tasmania, David Bartlett, to heed the wishes of Tasmanians and protect these virgin forests. "Today the message from Tasmanians to their Premier is clear; The Upper Florentine needs to be protected in its entirety and granted World Heritage status. Tasmania will not stand by and watch the mismanagement and squandering of their natural heritage for the benefit of Gunns Limited," said Mr Alishah.

Register your support for the Upper Florentine

2009-01-30T18:27:00.001+11:00

On this Valentine's Day, be my Florentine

http://www.petitiononline.com/tassie/

Thursday 29th January 2009

2009-01-29T16:59:00.000+11:00

UPPER FLORENTINE FOREST RALLY THIS SATURDAY

Upper Florentine Valley

Timbs Track, Gordon River Road, 21 kms past Maydena,

11am Saturday, 31^st 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

2009-01-29T16:56:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-29T16:55:00.000+11:00

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.

Friday 23rd January 2009

2009-01-29T16:54:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-29T16:53:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-29T15:58:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-29T15:57:00.000+11:00

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.

Media Release - Wednesday 21st Jan 2009

2009-01-21T09:29:00.000+11:00

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.

"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.

The reality of modern industrial logging

2009-01-20T17:39:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T16:39:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T16:36:00.000+11:00

Photo: Laura Minnebo

At 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!

2009-01-20T16:33:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T14:25:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T12:08:00.000+11:00

A Community Weekend

24 - 25th January

11am Timbs Track

Media Release - Tuesday 20th January 2009

2009-01-20T12:01:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T11:59:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T11:57:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T11:43:00.000+11:00

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.

Banner drop at Parliament House, Hobart

2009-01-20T11:28:00.001+11:00

Photos: Matthew Newton (rapidexposure###ozemail!com!au)

Media Alert - Saturday 17th January 2009

2009-01-20T11:22:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T11:01:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T10:57:00.000+11:00

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

2009-01-20T08:47:00.000+11:00

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.