Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 18 December 2024

Protests to end native forest logging enter third day

Protests have kept loggers from cutting ancient habitat forests in central lutruwita / Tasmania for the third consecutive day this week.

Mary Howard, a retired nurse in her 60s, is attached to logging machinery in waikaiwirinu / central highlands in a forest dubbed CZ031F by Forestry Tasmania.

“A recent independent report has found that NSW logging is not economically viable. While Victoria and Western Australia have signalled an end to native forest logging, Tasmania continues to prop up this environmentally and economically destructive industry,” said Erik Hayward, Bob Brown Foundation Campaigner.

“In lutruwita / Tasmania, we are seeing an increase in logging of ancient forests when other states are coming to the climate-solutions table and ending native forest logging.”

“The Rockliff government is not only ignoring the climate and biodiversity crises but intends to open up more high conservation value forests previously earmarked for permanent protection.”

“A further 40,000 hectares across the state are proposed to be logged in this barbaric onslaught against our native forests, carbon stores, wildlife habitat, river catchments and palawa / pakana Aboriginal cultural landscapes.”

“We will not relent in the defence of wild nature. This country has been nurtured for hundreds of generations before colonial rule and we will not sit down and watch these magnificent landscapes ruined,” said Erik Hayward.