28.04.11 Forestry Tasmania shut down

This morning the Hobart office of Forestry Tasmania was shut down by

35 conservationists, calling for the protection of Tasmania’s native

forests. All entrances to the building were blocked by

conservationists from 5:00am today.  One protestor remains atop a

flag-pole on the roof of the building, suspended on a platform which

is held up by cables strung across the doorways blocking access to

forestry offices. A banner hangs from the platform reading “Protect

Native Forests.” A further nine protestors have attached themselves

across gates and doorways with chains and locks. A coalition of groups

including Still Wild Still Threatened, the Huon Valley Environment

Centre and Code Green are taking part in today’s peaceful action.

“Forestry Tasmania has made a complete mockery of the moratorium

process, following its own rogue agenda of new roading and increased

logging of our irreplaceable high conservation value forests against

the will of the Tasmanian people. This blatant disregard for the

moratorium process exemplifies that Forestry Tasmania is accountable

to no one” said Miranda Gibson, spokesperson for Still Wild Still

Threatened.

“There is a fundamental conflict of interest when a government

business enterprise whose main interests lie in clear-felling and

burning our world class forests is given responsibility of

implementing forest conservation. One month on from the moratorium

deadline and Forestry Tasmania have still made no progress on

transitioning out of high conservation value forests, despite further

decreases in the woodchip market due to the temporary closure of

Triabunna woodchip mill”  said Ms Gibson.

“The Tasmanian community has had enough. Our forests are too precious

to be left in the hands of the incompetent and unaccountable

organisation that is Forestry Tasmania.  The State Government needs to

take responsibility for its State forests and no longer hide behind

Forestry Tasmania. We are calling on the Giddings Government to

abolish Forestry Tasmania and immediately halt the destruction of our

spectacular native forests” said Ms Gibson.