Forestry

This morning, community activists halted the logging of old growth forests near the headwaters of the Styx River. Ten activists have peacefully occupied coupe TN47C, located 100 metres from the TWWHA boundary near the base of Mount Mueller to highlight the continued destruction of Tasmania's unique old growth forests.

"Tasmania is in a state of environmental emergency. Every single day, our island's unique old growth forests are felled, bulldozed and trucked off to the woodchipper. Gunns Ltd.'s stranglehold on the Lennon government has been highlighted again this week and once again it will be our precious carbon rich forests, the taxpayer and the community that will suffer as a result of yet another matey deal between climate criminals John Gay, Bob Gordon and Paul Lennon" said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.
 

A weekend of statewide smoke haze from annual forestry burn-offs has left a sour taste in the mouths of many Tasmanians and continued the logging industry’s massive contribution to annual greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Section 100 of the Australian Constitution the logging of catchment and old-growth forest throughout Australia, which adversely affects our water supply in a time of drought and climate change, could be deemed unconstitutional. United Natures has produced a short video about Section 100 of the Constitution and why we feel Gov/Corp are violating it. Inspired to build a case against the Regional Forest Agreement, the Bell Bay Pulpmill in the Tamar Valley Tasmania and alike and have the pillage of our inheritance stopped.

Hobart 29 February 2008 Prime Minister Rudd's
commitment to accountability and transparency in government will be
tested by the release of the Auditor General's damning report on the
Tasmanian Forest Industry Development and Assistance Programs,
Australian Greens' Senator for Tasmania, Christine Milne said today.

News that Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has spent recent days in Hobart without contacting key stakeholders in the debate over the future of Tasmania's environment and forests, highlights a missed opportunity for the Minister to fully understand Tasmanian environmental issues as they relate to his portfolio, according to The Wilderness Society (TWS).

Shareholders attending the ANZ bank’s Annual General Meeting in Perth have had the environmental, social and economic risks associated with Gunns’ Tasmanian pulp mill highlighted by a formal question directed to the board and a high profile protest in front of the meeting venue, according to The Wilderness Society.

Related: Wilderness Society online pledge

Over 5000 people jammed the roads leading to Low Head today in a show of strength against the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill. The crowd exceeded initial estimates of 3000 as more and more people arrived after walking up to three kilometres as parking places close to the rally were totally clogged.