Wednesday 14th December 2005

MEDIA RELEASE

Logging Halted Adjacent to Tahune Airwalk

Today activists are highlighting the continued destruction of high conservation value forests in Southern Tasmania. Activists have blocked access to a logging coupe and attached themselves to machinery.

"This area of high conservation value tall eucalypt forest is adjacent to the Tahune Airwalk, Tasmania's largest growing tourist attraction. The logging of these forests so close to the Tahune Airwalk suggests that Forestry Tasmania's commitment to eco-tourism is questionable," spokesperson Peter Ruggieri from the Huon Valley Environment Centre said.

"Many high conservation values forests such as these are being destroyed far from the public eye behind locked gates. The logging of areas such as the Arve, Weld, Picton and Huon Valleys adjacent to the Tahune reserve highlight the fact that the Airwalk is nothing but a woodchip cover up," said Peter Ruggieri.

The protest is taking place on Arve Road approximately five kilometres from Tahune Airwalk.

Contact: Peter Ruggieri, 0438 384 584

Huon Valley Environment Centre, 3/17 Wilmot Rd, Huonville.