Media Release

2nd March 2007

Logging halted in endangered species habitat – Southern Forests, Tasmania

“Forest defenders have halted work of current logging in High Conservation Value forests to highlight that Tasmania’s southern forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate. A small group of people are blocking an access road in to the Denison Valley, adjacent to Weld Valley. Large areas of wilderness forest is currently also being logged in the Weld Valley,” Huon Valley Environment Centre Jenny Weber said.

“Today’s action is a spotlight on Forestry Tasmania, a government entity that is out of control as it pushes roads into endangered species
habitat to open up new areas of old growth forests for what will be woodchip production. This proposed new logging road through remote wilderness forest and joining the Denison Valley with North Weld Valley, is a taxpayer funded road to ruin,” said Jenny Weber

“The Wielangta Federal Court decision in December highlighted the continued plight of endangered species in Forestry Tasmania managed land. This is another wild area where endangered species are potentially threatened by Forestry Tasmania operations. We are calling on both the Federal and State Government to ensure all high conservation value forests are protected,” Jenny Weber said.