Activists highlight moratorium fears with state wide action

Media Release

January 31st 2011

Activists fear for Tasmanian forest moratorium

State-wide forest action

Tasmanian forest activists have halted logging and roading operations
at two locations in the south of the state today, while a third group
perform street theatre in Launceston's Mall to highlight the continued
logging of ancient forests in Tasmania.

"On the 15 December, Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke announced
that logging in Tasmania's High Conservation Value forests would end
in 90 days. Yet, on-the-ground surveys indicate that Forestry Tasmania
is constructing new roads into key areas of HCV forest and opening new
clearfells across the state during the phase out period" said Huon
Valley Environment Centre's Jenny Weber.

Huon Valley Environment Centre activists have halted the construction
of a new road into High Conservation Value forests in the Esperence
area, close to Adamson's Peak and the Tasmanian Wilderness World
Heritage Area (TWWHA). A person is in a tree sit, while a number of
activists are at the forest.

In the Counsel area, activists from Still Wild Still Threatened halted
logging operations in coupe CO003A, an area of diverse pristine forest
contiguous with the TWWHA.

"Why is Forestry Tasmania spending more taxpayers money to lock in new
logging around the state when industry, environmentalists and all
levels of Government have committed to an end to logging in just six
weeks time?" said Jenny Weber.

"Activists have re-entered the forest today to highlight this
double-handed strategy. Our role is to advocate for the full and
immediate protection of ancient forests. We are standing up to
highlight the loss of valuable ecosystems every day in Tasmania," said
Still Wild Still Threatened Spokesperson Lily Leahy.