A complaint has been filed today with the Ethical Standards Department of the Victoria Police by a Melbourne law firm over the assault by at least two members of the police on an East Gippsland conservationist this week.
It is alleged that members of the Victorian Police Force had kicked and punched the person in the head, chest and groin.
"This week we've had government representatives demonising conservationists by making deceitful public comments and now we have members of the police assaulting a person who was unable to defend himself." said Billy Dain, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre.
"Mr Bracks must realise that this is not the way to solve the conflict over logging our heritage forests. He must ensure his government representatives act responsibly, not like back street thugs."
In another incident , Robin Bennett, a conservationist involved in direct action by positioning himself in a 35 metre high tree sit, fell from a suspended tree platform after a logging contractor shook the attached cable, causing the suspended platform to swing violently. The only thing that saved Mr Bennett potentially falling to his death was his harness that had been attached to a safety line only seconds before the fall. Mr Bennett is currently recovering from the horrifying incident and seeking the necessary medical assistance, but is considering the avenues he can pursue, including filing a civil claim against the logger.
Vanessa Bleyer, President of Lawyers for Forests Inc. who has organised immediate legal representation for the conservationists involved in these incidents, points out that "it appears loggers have learnt nothing from the recent Supreme Court case of McFadzean & Ors v CFMEU & Ors, where conservationists were awarded damages for being assaulted by loggers. It seems the loggers still think that illegal violence in the forests is the answer. The violence claimed against Members of the Victoria Police suggests the situation is out of hand. The government must immediately act to ensure that the behaviour of the Victoria Police and others is brought into account when they are in the forest and engaged with the public."
The conservationists were endeavouring to protect some of the remaining precious old growth forest in the Ellery Block, 40 kms NE of Orbost. The area contains wet old growth forest and rainforest and is home to several endangered species including the Sooty Owl, Long Footed Potoroo and the Powerful Owl. It is being logged for woodchips and other low value wood products.
For More Information Contact:
Vanessa Bleyer, LFF 0412 58 68 48
Billy Dain, Goongerah Environment Centre
Wednesday 19th January 2005.
"Once again conservationists are highlighting the fact that our heritage forests are still being destroyed for the profit of a few individuals at the public's expense. It's time the government steps in and ensures that the remaining old growth forests and water catchments are protected." stated Billy Dain, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre
"The particular forest in contention is of high heritage value. It comes extremely close to several other recent logged areas and a Special Protection Zone. This vital untouched forest is critically important habitat for rare native animals, like the Long Footed Potoroo, Sooty Owl and Powerful Owl. The majority of old growth forests in this area has already been destroyed, fragmenting the remaining heritage forests", he continued.
Conservationists have specifically targeted this coupe, high lighting that this is the best part of Ferntree Creek's catchment that has not already been affected by logging.
"Once a magnificent area of untouched old growth, this area has been hammered by clearfelling for over a decade. It once passed through an untouched area of old growth. With one small pocket of old growth left in this area it is urgent that the Bracks government steps in now to protect every remaining stand of these important heritage forests. Once logged, they are gone forever" he concluded
Conservationists have stated that they will remain in the area, surveying for endangered species.
For more information contact
Billy Dain, Goongerah Environment Centre
Seven conservationists were arrested yesterday in the contentious Ellery forest block, 40 kms north east of Orbost. The tree platform has been removed with one woman arrested. Another thirty nine year old mother was also removed and arrested from the wooden structure eight metres above an access road. Two women were arrested for obstructing machinery while a further three people were also charged for trespassing in State Forest. Police search and rescue dismantled and removed the thirty metre high tree platform, connected to logging machinery. Police search and rescue failed to remove a young woman from the tree. She remained at the top for a further six hours before climbing down.
'The number of arrests highlights the department's new found ability to respond forcefully, even excessively to peaceful protests. It is evident that these new "anti-public" laws will not silence public concern' said Billy Dain, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre
Conservationists stopped a contracted crane before it could be used to remove a woman from a suspended wooden structure. Two women attached themselves underneath the crane using metal tubing. Four hours later all three women were removed and arrested.
"The Bracks government needs to protect the public's Heritage forests, not bring in tacky laws that pretend it's a solution. It's time to finally put an end to old growth logging." He concluded.
Further protests are expected.
For more information contact
Billy Dain, Goongerah Environment Centre
Logging trucks have been turned away from the Ellery forest, 40kms north-east of Orbost, since 3.30am (AEDT), spokesman Billy Dain said.
One woman is sitting eight metres above an access road in a wooden structure and two other women remain on a 30-metre high tree platform connected to logging machinery, he said.
Today's action came after 60 conservationists staged a demonstration at the same place yesterday.
Mr Dain said Ellery contains wet old growth forest and rainforest.
He said logging has a severe impact on endangered species such as the Sooty Owl, Long Footed Potoroo and Powerful Owl.
"These actions draw attention to the fact that the current government is still not listening to the people," he said.
"It's time for Premier Steve Bracks to end all old growth logging immediately."
Comment was being sought from the state government.
- AAP
This action follows on from yesterday, where sixty local, national and international conservationists effectively stopped work in an old growth logging coupe in State forest. Today, one woman is sitting eight metres above the access road in a wooden structure, whilst another two women are perched thirty metres high on a tree platform connected to logging machinery.
"These actions draw attention to the fact that the current government is still not listening to the people. It's time for Premier Steve Bracks to end all old growth logging immediately" said Billy Dain, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre.
Ellery contains wet old growth forest and rainforest. Even after the announcement by the Bracks government of a 43% reduction in saw log allocations, nothing has been done to permanently protect the remaining old growth forest. Logging these areas has severe impacts on endangered species such as the Sooty Owl, Long Footed Potoroo and the Powerful Owl.
"These conservationists are putting the spotlight back on the need to protect these areas of high significance. Once these areas are logged they turn from fire retardant wet old growth forest into fire prone regrowth." He continued.
"It's time for Premier Steve Bracks to listen to the people of Victoria and across Australia and fix this problem." He concluded.
Conservationists plan to continue their efforts for as long as it takes for the government to stand up and finally end all old growth logging.
For more information contact:
Billy Dain, Goongerah Environment Centre
"The group has stopped work today to highlight the continued logging of old growth forest in Australia. People from overseas and across the country are appalled that such practices are still occurring in this "progressive" country. We are calling on Victorian Premier Steve Bracks to stop all old growth logging immediately," said Billy Dain, spokesperson for the conservationists.
The peaceful action is calling on all political parties to intervene and protect all areas of old growth forest. Endangered species such as the Long Footed Potoroo, Sooty Owl and Powerful Owl face an uncertain future due to an industry driven by the export woodchip market. Since the first protest to stop roading into the area more than a year ago, over 150 hectares of previously untouched old growth forest has been destroyed.
"East Gippsland is the last stronghold of old growth forest in mainland Australia. It has world class conservation values and contains unique species that are threatened by logging. There is a great opportunity being wasted for an extensive tourism based industry in East Gippsland," he concluded.
Committed conservationists have worked hard to protect areas such as these for over a decade. Protests are expected to continue until the remaining areas of old growth forest is protected.
For more information:
Billy Dain
Goongerah Environment Centre
'These violent tactics are typical of a rogue logging industry that is rarely reprimanded,' said Rena Gaborov, spokesperson from the Goongerah Environment Centre.
The same area of forest was subject to protest activity earlier in the year, when five people were arrested for delaying a logging road into 200 hectares of old growth forest.
The logging area contains warm temperate rainforest, yet the area has never been formally surveyed. While intact, this area acted as a wildlife corridor for endangered species such as the Powerful Owl, the Sooty Owl and the Long-Footed Potoroo.
"The Bracks government has not done enough to protect Victoria's old growth forest nor is there adequate protection for rainforests that fall within the boundaries of logging areas", said Rena Gaborov, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre. "If the government claim this years new forestry system to be sustainable then Bracks must protect these last remaining areas of old growth forest before any new timber contracts are signed next year," she concluded.
The logging area is likely to contain warm temperate rainforest, yet the area has never been surveyed. While intact, this area acted as a wildlife corridor for endangered species such as the Powerful Owl, the Sooty Owl and the Long-Footed Potoroo.
"The Bracks government has not done enough to protect Victorias old growth forest nor is there adequate protection for rainforests that fall within the boundaries of logging areas", said Rena Gabarov, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre.
"Old growth logging and woodchipping destroys trees, kills wildlife and damages the soil and waterways. These remnant forests are Australia's natural heritage and are being damaged beyond repair. A 200 year old tree not only provides habitat for endangered species, but also saves tonnes of greenhouse gases and provides huge volumes of fresh water," she continued.
"We are calling on Bracks to bite the bullet and protect these last remaining areas of old growth forest before the new Timber licences are signed next year," she concluded.