Logging has been halted in Tasmanian Devil and Eastern Quoll habitat today. At the headwaters of the Derwent River, Sue Abbott, grandmother and forest defender, has chained herself to a logging machine in a defiant plea for forest protection. Sue has been joined by eleven forest defenders who are taking action to defend these forests from further destruction.

“I’m here because of a complete failure of political leadership, as they continue to log these beautiful native forests. We are in the highlands adjacent to Lake St Clair, where the conditions mean these eucalyptus trees take a long time to grow. These very old eucalyptus forests are being smashed.”

“I am so close to Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and the Overland Track, an international bushwalking destination. Meanwhile, not far off that track, the forest is being decimated and the politicians know what’s happening. The Liberal and Labor coalition spends public money on subsidising this appalling forestry industry. This is ecocide and it has to stop,” said Sue Abbott.

“Our protest today is an opportunity for Premier Rockliff to move the logging contractors out of these ancient forests and into plantations. The forests where we are protesting today are another alarming example of why logging must cease urgently. These forests are an important watershed for the Clarence River, critical habitat for Tasmanian Devils and Eastern Quolls and raptor breeding grounds with flora listed as threatened,” said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaigns Director.

“Timber from this flattened forest is predominantly for export woodchips, with Malaysian company Ta Ann receiving timber from this contentious source. Logging in this fragile region of the Central Highlands is removing ancient hollow-bearing trees, damaging the hydrology, climate and wildlife these forests support,” said Jenny Weber.

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Jenny Weber
0427 366 929