MEDIA ALERT
Activists launch tree-sit village
in threatened Lower Weld Valley

26th Sept 2005

Activists have established a tree-sit village in Southern Tasmania's threatened Lower Weld valley.

The innovative protest is halting a proposed road that will provide access to 22 coupes of high conservation value forest bordering the Tasmanian World Heritage Area.

The Lower Weld Valley has been recognised as a region of World Heritage value and recommended for protection by eminent scientists, World Heritage bodies and Tasmania's own Parks and Wildlife.

Clearfelling, burning and poisoning is still going to occur in old- growth forests in the Lower Weld, despite the Tasmania Together process calling for their protection.

"Nominated for protection by the World Heritage Bureau, Tasmania Together and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife, the lower Weld Valley's ancient forests deserve better than to be fed to the woodchipper", said spokesperson Jenny Weber.

The protest launch coincides with the release of a comprehensive reserve proosal for the Lower Weld Valley.