Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 24 February 2025
Forestry Tasmania logged public land not gazetted as logging zone
Today, forest defender Helena Griffiths had protest charges withdrawn by police prosecution because the forest she was protesting in was not gazetted as Forestry Tasmania managed land in 1991.
Presumably this was still not Forestry Tasmania land in 2023 when the protest defended public forests that were being destroyed by logging. It was just vacant Crown land, and Helena Griffiths was entitled to be on that land.
“Forestry Tasmania was not entitled to be on the land, as logging Crown land is illegal. Our foundation is calling for an explanation for this extraordinary and unacceptable situation and prosecution of Forestry Tasmania for illegally logging the swift parrot habitat that Helena Griffiths protested in,” said Jenny Weber, Campaigns Manager with Bob Brown Foundation.
“Forestry Tasmania logged public forests that were not gazetted as Forestry Tasmania land. As Forestry Tasmania is not permitted to log this land, the flattening of these forests should not have proceeded. Since they have, a crime has been committed by the government’s rogue logging agency and its logging contractors,” said Jenny Weber.
Also, this morning, a protest is defending swift parrot forests west of Lonnavale and police are on site.
“Yet again, this government sent in the police to evict forest defenders when it is the swift parrot habitat killing machines that must be evicted. Even worse, we know the government’s logging agency has logged swift parrot forests on public land that was not gazetted for logging. Swift parrot habitat must be protected from all logging and removed from the mis-management by Forestry Tasmania. They are demolishing the only forests on Earth that the parrot breeds in,” said Jenny Weber.
Mary Howard has today locked onto a logging machine to defend native forests.
“The devastation that surrounds me was once beautiful dense, hollow-bearing trees where swift parrots had been sighted and their nests observed. Just outside, above this coupe, there is a wedge-tailed eagle nest. Despite this knowledge, state sanctioned logging continues to destroy critical habitat. It has been distressing this week to witness trucks with enormous native logs drive through Hobart to be processed for woodchip exports and to supply timber for plywood production to the controversial Borneo owned company Ta Ann. So, today, I am taking action,” said Mary Howard.
Ian King
February 25, 2025 at 07:54
This is not a good look for either Forestry Tasmania or, in this instance, the police.
Keep up your efforts, Helena Griffiths!
Helen Adkins-Sherston
February 25, 2025 at 12:36
Yes, I lived in Sunnybank Hills in Queensland some years ago and met a wife of one of these Borneo company managers who logged vast land – all for the money while not caring about the environment, yet they are the ones who whinge about flooding, etc.
Rocky and Bec are both country hicks so they don’t care – only for the dollar.
The Rule of Karma .. their time is coming.
Matt
February 25, 2025 at 14:21
Tasmanian governments, and their active involvement in the continued destruction of the environment, and their ongoing corruption, renders its activities little different from those of a criminal enterprise.
Shane
February 25, 2025 at 18:29
Forestry Tasmania and these loggers are club-dragging Neanderthals!
We should stop raping the environment for $$$ as we’ve already cleared enough of this great country!
Teresa Maddox
February 26, 2025 at 09:05
It’s ironic, that an innocent protester was arrested and the real criminals get off scot-free! Vested interests protected from accountability with taxpayer funded corruption. Can’t wait for Nature’s, disastrous retribution!
Michael Lester
February 26, 2025 at 14:16
Just to clarify ..
Ta Ann Tasmania is not involved in woodchip exports or trade, nor is it involved in logging. Its plywood and formply* (which is used in construction) uses small diameter (average 35cm diameter) logs mainly from Tasmanian regrowth native forests and plantations, and not from large old-growth trees.
Moreover, Sustainable Timber Tasmania is contractually required to only provide the company with logs from previously agreed areas to conservation groups for production forest under the Tasmanian Forests Agreement. Although conservation groups have recanted, Ta Ann is c continuing to operate as if the Agreement is still in place.
This information is available on the company’s website.
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* Formply has Non-Structural Applications such as multi purpose use while still utilising an exterior glue line including cabinetry and joinery.
— www
Annmarie Presswood
February 26, 2025 at 18:49
It’s shocking that while we cook in the hottest of summers our trees continue to be chopped down!
Wake up everyone! It will be worse next summer! Leave the trees and bush alone because there are alternatives, you know. Everybody is going to go hungry because, as it is, we are already seeing food and water shortages around the world, and in Australia too.
Yes, I am a tree hugger and PROUD! Its time for everyone to stand up now against this situation, assuming you haven’t done so. Already it’s time for everyone to complain! Just think of the poor animals as well, now that they are now homeless.