Police have arrived onsite at a forest protest in Tasmania’s northeast, 20 km from Derby, where ancient forest is being flattened by logging. Bob Brown Foundation is making an urgent plea for the logging machines to be evicted and the remaining ancient forest to be rescued from destruction.
Wayne Gipters, a 59-year-old Huonville resident, has attached himself to one of the logging machines, joining a community of forest defenders who are occupying the forests and calling for their protection.
“Sadly, this exceptional native forest habitat in northeast Lutruwita, near the mountain bike hub of Derby, is about to be destroyed. It is a haven for wildlife but the unprofitable Forestry Tasmania still wants to chop it all down and then burn what is left to a cinder, further increasing emissions and making climate change a greater threat to us all.”
“We need to save these unique forests as many creatures need them to survive, eat and bring up their young. Large, old native forests protect us, and all manner of life, far more than replanted monoculture tree farms. The real science says old-growth native forests are needed, not just for the vulnerable animals and birds, but for us.”
“The people I am with today are caring and dedicated folk and I know there are more of us out there. Draconian anti-protest laws will not stop us. Native forest logging needs to end now,” said Wayne Gipters.
“These forests are habitat for Grey Goshawk, Masked Owls and quolls and are being clearfelled for woodchips. This endangered species habitat destruction has to stop. It is crucial these ancient forests are left standing as they provide natural barriers against fires. The current bushfire crisis across Tasmania’s northwest should be enough for Premier Rockliff to halt the logging of native forests across the state, because we know logging increases the severity of bushfires. We are in a climate and biodiversity emergency, but there are still key actions that can help mitigate these impacts. Ending native forest logging is a nature-based solution this Tasmanian Government can take right now,” said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigns Manager
