Goongerah and Yalmy Blockades 2006

Twenty residents of the Goongerah town ship are risking arrest this morning by holding a community walk in on logging in their water catchment.

Spokes person for the community Fiona York said. “ We have tried a myriad of ways to stop the logging in our water catchment, we are now left with no other option but to physically stop the logging.”

“The police have declared the entire catchment area ‘safety zone’, and as such anyone found in the area is liable to be arrested. There is a very strong possibility we could be arrested today for working to protect our water supply.”

“It is well known that logging in water catchments reduces water supply by up to 50%. We are calling on Premier Bracks to stop the logging of water catchments, and in turn increase the water accessible to Victorian towns and cities.”

“Victoria, and much of Australia, is in the grips of a drought. It is time for our leaders to take pro-active measures to protect our water supply and avert further hardship and restrictions the community is feeling.

“If our political representatives continue to fail to act, more and more communities will be forced to risk arrest to protect their right to clean and plentiful supply of water.” Concluded Ms York.

Police have moved in to remove the 30 conservationists who have halted logging of old growth forests in the Goongerah water catchment over the past two days. The three tree platforms and tripod blocking logging access to the area which activists have perched in, preventing the falling and bulldozing of  old growth trees in the catchment.

Spokesperson Lauren Caulfield said, “Obviously we would prefer not to be forced to take such actions to protect our water catchment and forests, but the simple fact of the matter is that Bracks is failing in his duty to protect these areas.”
“About 20 Police officers and search and rescue are on site declaring much of the Goongerah water catchment an exclusion zone, for the public not for logging, indicating they will be removing and arresting those up the tree sits and tripod.”
 “Logging is planned for Melbourne’s water catchments from December 1, just days after the state election. Most Victorians are appalled that old growth forests and water catchments are being destroyed for woodchips. Every day the equivalent to 18 MCG’s are cleared. Premier Steve Bracks must act to protect old growth forests and water catchments for future generations.” she concluded.
“It’s time both Premier Bracks and Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu announced that they will protect water catchments from logging before the November poll. It is a sad day when people are arrested for protecting the basic necessities of life such as the right to clean and plentiful water and healthy environment as we are doing here today.” she concluded.

Billy Dain – Melbourne – mob: 0412608323
Louise Morris 0408667100

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ABC Online

Anti-logging protesters arrested

Two women protesting against logging in the Goongerah catchment north of Orbost have been arrested and charged.

Between 30 and 40 protesters had set up tree sits and a large tripod in the area holding up logging for two days.

The protesters say the logging will reduce the water supply to the town of Goongerah and run-off into the Brodribb River.

In the past, protesters have been charged with hindering lawful logging operations.

However, yesterday the arrests were on charges of refusing to leave a public safety zone.

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Logging operations have been halted for a second day by conservationists  in  three tree platforms suspended in the canopy, as well as a tripod stopping access to the forest in which logging was taking place, in the Goongerah water catchment in East Gippsland.

Spokesperson Lauren Caulfield said, ‘It is ludicrous that we have to physically stop logging to protect our water catchments when Victoria is two months away from a state election. Premier Bracks refuses to take the decisive and forward thinking step of ending logging in water catchments. Instead we are saddled with increasing water restrictions in force across most of the state. It is proven that logging in water catchments reduces water supply by up to fifty percent!”

Logging is planned for Melbourne’s water catchments from December 1, just days after the state election.

“It’s time for both Premier Bracks and Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu to announced that they will protect water catchments from logging before the November poll.”

“Most Victorians are appalled that old growth forests and water catchments are being destroyed for woodchips. Every day the equivalent to 18 MCG’s are cleared. Premier Steve Bracks must act to protect old growth forests and water catchments for future generations.” she concluded.

“It’s time both Premier Bracks and Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu announced that they will protect water catchments from logging before the November poll, and we will not allow this issue to be ignored while our communities are feeling the pain of water restrictions and further logging of our old growth forests” she concluded.

For media comment contact: On site at the Forest Rescue – trunk ph: 5133 7077 then wait for dialtone then dial 838 4620.

Billy Dain – Melbourne – mob: 0412608323

Thirty conservationists have shut down logging operations in the Goongerah township water catchment east of Melbourne.

Logging operations have been halted by three tree platforms suspended in the canopy, as well as a tripod stopping access to the forest in which logging was taking place.

Spokesperson for the group Lauren Caulfield said ‘It is ludicrous to be logging water catchments such as this one when water restrictions are in force across most of the state. It is scientifically accepted fact that logging in water catchments dramatically reduces water supply to towns and cities.’

‘Victoria is a matter of months away from a state election, in which water supply and environmental issues will be at the fore, yet Premier Steve Bracks still refuses to acknowledge the elephant in the corner that is logging of our water catchments. Instead we are saddled with increasing water restrictions and the logging continues unrestricted.’

‘It is unacceptable that four out of five of Melbourne’s water catchments are currently being logged. The ALP are lagging behind, it is time for Bracks to act and stop logging in our states water catchments.’

‘Victorian communities and voters are up in arms at the allowance of logging in our water catchments and demand that Bracks act to protect our water supplies and forests.’ Said Ms Caulfield.

For media comment contact Lauren Caulfield 03) 51540156 (Melbourne contact Louise Morris 03) 94198700.)

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Protesters shut down Gippsland loggers

September 25, 2006 - 2:48PM

The Age

Protesters have shut down a logging operation in Victoria's East Gippsland.

More than 30 protesters rigged three platforms in the canopy of a forest coupe, near Goongerah, about 50km north-east of Orbost, and set up a tripod on the road preventing small, private, local logging contractors from accessing the site.

Victoria Police and officers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) attended the blockade this morning, leaving without incident.

Protester Danya Bryx said the coupe was in a water catchment and was an area of environmental significance.

"It is unacceptable that four out of five of Melbourne's water catchments are currently being logged," Ms Bryx said.

She said logging of catchments drastically reduced water levels and adversely affected the water available to towns in the area.

"It is ludicrous to be logging water catchments such as this one when water restrictions are in force across most of the state," she said.

A DSE spokesman said the timber coupe was part of the Gippsland water catchment, not the Melbourne catchment, and there were no water restrictions or shortages in the area.

"This timber coupe is not old-growth, the coupe is not rainforest, and this coupe does have approval for harvesting," he said.

AAP

Protesters shut down logging operation

September 25, 2006 02:48pm

Article from: AAP and www.news.com.au

PROTESTERS have shut down a logging operation in Victoria's East Gippsland.

More than 30 protesters rigged three platforms in the canopy of a forest coupe, near Goongerah, about 50km north-east of Orbost, and set up a tripod on the road preventing small, private, local logging contractors from accessing the site.

Victoria Police and officers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) attended the blockade this morning, leaving without incident.

Protester Danya Bryx said the coupe was in a water catchment and was an area of environmental significance.

"It is unacceptable that four out of five of Melbourne's water catchments are currently being logged," Ms Bryx said.

She said logging of catchments drastically reduced water levels and adversely affected the water available to towns in the area.

"It is ludicrous to be logging water catchments such as this one when water restrictions are in force across most of the state," she said.

A DSE spokesman said the timber coupe was part of the Gippsland water catchment, not the Melbourne catchment, and there were no water restrictions or shortages in the area.

"This timber coupe is not old-growth, the coupe is not rainforest, and this coupe does have approval for harvesting," he said.

Logging in the Goongerah water catchment was stopped today when over twenty members of the community walked in to an active logging coupe. The residents are angered as the coupe is one of over twenty scheduled in their water catchment.

Goongerah relies on the catchment for domestic water. Residents are worried about reductions of water in the river due to the logging. Although Goongerah is higher in the catchment, the southern town of Orbost also relies on the water. ‘While people from Melbourne are angered by logging in their water catchments rural Victorians are undergoing the same problems’ said Rena Gaborov, spokesperson for the residents.

‘Logging ten percent of the catchment can reduce water yields up to fifty percent in forty years. The government knows about the impacts of clear fell logging on water catchments, and with the current push to conserve water it seems insane the logging water catchments still goes on. Premier Bracks has the power to put an end to this waste,’ said Rena.

The area that is being logged is old growth forest as well as being in the headwaters of the Goongerah Creek. There is nearly 800 hectares of this water catchment scheduled to be logged in the next three years.

For more information: Rena Gabarov 0351540156

UPDATE: Six police including Search and Rescue have arrived at the logging coupe with seven DSE and Vic Forests officers. All those protesting have been removed from the coupe except the person high in the tree sit. Search and Rescue are attempting to take down the tree sit that is tied on to the machines but have not suceeded yet.

Twenty conservationists have stopped work today in a logging coupe in the Goongerah water catchment, East Gippsland. A protestor up the tree is in a sit that is tied to a log loader and a bull dozer which has prevented the machines from being used.

The controversial area contains old growth forest and is part of 700 hectares scheduled for logging in the catchment in the next three years. The action is one of many that have occurred in Goongerah this year and is part of a campaign to stop the logging of forests in the Goongerah community's domestic water catchment.

"Logging of our catchment means our water yield will be dramatically reduced." said Rena Gaborov, community member and spokes person for the Goongerah Environment Centre.

Although most of the community is opposed to the logging the government is refusing to stop it "Considering the current climate change and the lack of clean water that is available it is insane that the Bracks' government can allow logging in our catchment, to the detriment to our community" said Rena.

For more details contact Rena Gaborov 03 51540190

UPDATE: 3.00pm 17 January

The treesit at the Goongerah Blockade is down but the person locked on to the dragon remains. the treesiter was attached to the sit by a cable as well as locked on by her foot. Search and Rescue police tried to forcibly remove her, then eventually lowered the sit with her STILL ATTACHED!! more soon....

At dawn this morning, police and government officers removed protesters from a logging coupe in the Bendoc region, where work had been stopped since yesterday morning. Two people were arrested and one was taken to Bendoc Police Station after they locked themselves to logging machinery all night. All other protesters have left the area and logging has recommenced in the coupe.

A blockade in the Yalmy forest remains in place, with twenty protesters on site. One person in up a tree platform and another is attached to a car "dragon" which is dug into the road, preventing access to two logging coupes.

All three blockades are in areas of old growth forest, and the Yalmy and Goongerah forests are in water catchment areas.

"Victoria has fallen behind the rest of the country in terms of forest protection, and Premier Steve Bracks can expect protest activity to continue until he protects our forests." said spokesperson for conservationists, Fiona York.

"There is now nothing stopping these areas from being logged, which will reduce water yields and destroy irreplaceable biodiversity" she concluded.

High resolution photos are available.

For more information: Fiona York

Two blockades have been established in the Yalmy and Goongerah forests. The area is one of the most intact water catchments left in east gippsland and the only remaining corridor between the Errinundra and Snowy River National Parks. In a simultaneous action a treesit was set up in a city roundaboout to draw attention to the logging of East Gippsland's old growth forests.

Yalmy forest - due to be logged - protected by blockade	Goongerah Creek headwaters - scheduled to be logged	Thirty metre high treesit

Two Forest Blockades in East Gippsland

Forest blockades have been re-established in East Gippsland today in areas of old growth forest and water catchments.  A partially completed logging road had been blocked by a 30 metre high tree platform in an area containing two scheduled logging coupes, while access to a further three logging coupes is being blockaded nearby with tree platforms and other structures.

The blockaded logging coupes are in a corridor of old growth forest linking the Snowy River and Errinundra National Parks. The logging coupes are the beginning of more than 700 hectares scheduled to be logged in the Goongerah domestic water supply catchment.  The area contains very large trees and rare rainforest types, as well as endangered species habitat.  It is one of the most intact water catchments remaining in East Gippsland.

In Melbourne, a tree platform has been erected in a city round-about to draw attention to the continued logging of East Gippsland’s old growth forest.

“There is strong community opposition to the logging of these last remaining intact water catchments in East Gippsland.  The fact that these areas contain such large trees and rare forest types adds insult to injury.  It is time that Premier Steve Bracks acted to protect our forests,” said spokesperson for conservationists, Fiona York.

For comment:
Fiona York

ABC Radio

Tree platforms target Vic logging operations

A logging road between the Snowy River and Errindundra national parks has been blocked by a 30-metre high tree platform.

Access to a further three logging coupes is also being blocked by tree platforms and other makeshift structures.

Conservationists have also set up a tree platform on a roundabout in Melbourne as part of their campaign.

The Age, 9 January 2006

Tree protesters take campaign to city

January 9, 2006 - 9:53AM

Environmentalists have taken their protest against logging and woodchipping in East Gippsland's forests to the city today.

A group of Melbourne University students has perched 15 metres off the ground on a platform strung in the canopy of a eucalypt tree on the corner of Swanston Street, Cemetery Road and College Crescent, in inner suburban Parkville.

Protester David Hammerton said the city-based demonstration was in support of conservationists who were preparing a campaign to stop logging in East Gippsland.

He said the students were hoping their action would put pressure on the Victorian government to stop logging and woodchipping in old-growth forest areas.

"(Premier Steve) Bracks must act now to protect these irreplaceable national treasures," Mr Hammerton said.

"These forests survived the last ice age, but at this rate they won't survive Bracks' term in office."

Mr Hammerton said the old-growth forest and rainforest was habitat for endangered flora and fauna.

"East Gippsland's unique eco-system is home to over 300 rare and threatened plant and animal species," he said.

"These forests are home to many endangered and threatened species including the Tiger Quoll and the Powerful Owl."

Treesit in a Melbourne roundabout	Protesters take action to the city