Media Release

3/5/2006

Logging in High Conservation Value Forest Halted

Community Activists defend Tasmania's threatened World Heritage Southern Forests

"Community Activists have today halted work in high conservation value forest, located on the eastern slopes of the World Heritage Snowy Range. The forest is a continuous ancient ecosystem that lies in the valley of World Heritage mountains. We are here to highlight continued destruction of Tasmania's wild forests, after logging commenced yesterday," Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Will Mooney said.

"An extra 10 ha of forest is proposed for logging in this area, even though it is a known breeding site for Wedge Tailed Eagle. Forestry Tasmania has allowed logging in the area as Feb-July is not eagle breeding season. Clearfelling in this area is the first incursion on the pristine Barnback Catchment, which runs down through Camp Weld and in to the Weld river," Will Mooney said.

" Huon Valley Environment Centre is advocating protection for threatened World Heritage forests, logging these forests threatens the integrity of the South West World Heritage Area. This is an example of continued clearfelling and no protection for high conservation values in the southern forests, despite empty commitments by Federal Liberal and State Labor governments," Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Jenny Weber said.

For comment and directions to the action

Jenny Weber mobile 0427 366 929

Will Mooney at action satt ph 0424 212 056