Single Rider Rolled Through The Derwent Valley

Despite industry claims and ‘giant tree policies’, old-growth logging continues in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley.

Conservationists have again been outraged by a photo of a ‘single rider’ shipment, ie. a whole tree almost fully occupying a truck.

Critics call on the Tasmanian government to cease subsidising this industry – according to economist John Lawrence “native forest logging as currently managed by STT is not financially sustainable” – and end native forest logging immediately, emphasising the urgent need to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

Greens MHR for Lyons Tabatha Badger described it as ‘ecocide’.

Meanwhile the Bob Brown Foundation supplied images and background about a protest near Mt Field National Park that seeks to disrupt Forestry Tasmania logging in a wedge-tailed eagle nesting area on Brown Mountain.

Their statements are reproduced below.

Media release – Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Member for Lyons, 26 May 2025

Old Growth Logging Continues Apace Despite Industry Spin

In an act of blatant ecocide, yet another enormous single rider rolled through the Derwent Valley this morning.

Witnessing an enormous whole log on a single truck is outrageous in a climate and biodiversity emergency when there is no justification to continue the attack on our native forests.

This ancient tree should still be proudly towering and providing critical habitat.

Despite having giant tree policies and limits on how much old native forest they can destroy, Forestry Tasmania refuse to acknowledge hundreds of trees found to qualify under their own giant tree policy.

This magnificent giant, like the thousands that have fallen before it will likely end up as woodchip exports or in the veneer mill of Malaysian company, Ta Ann.

The remnant forests of Lutruwita / Tasmania are the last stronghold for species like the wedge-tailed eagle, masked owl and swift parrot – every logging coupe that is razed pushes these species closer to extinction. A fact ignored by this morally bankrupt government who continue to subsidise this archaic segment of the forest industry.

Our planet is warming, our waterways are heating, our forests are being pillaged, and Tasmanians have had enough – we are approaching a climate tipping point. Its up to the Liberal / Labor coalition to wake up to the warnings, and end native forest logging now.

Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 26 May 2025

Logging halted as four endangered eagle nests defended

Tall eucalyptus forests that are territory for four wedge-tailed eagle nests are the site of a new campaign by Bob Brown Foundation, just five weeks from the eagles’ breeding season.

This morning, a group of dedicated forest defenders are occupying the logging area in forests on the eastern slopes of Brown Mountain, just north of Mount Field National Park. There are four recorded wedge-tailed eagle nests less than 1km from this location, but Forestry Tasmania are currently logging this forest, and many others like it, using taxpayer dollars to prop up a devastating industry.

“There are currently two active logging coupes in this Brown Mountain area, as well as a new roading operation. The Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle is endangered, primarily due to habitat loss. This powerful bird of prey has a wingspan of up to 2.8m and as an apex predator, it is vital for maintaining the balance of Tasmania’s delicate and unique ecosystem,” said Lisa Searle from Bob Brown Foundation.

“The wedge-tailed eagle breeding season officially starts in July, but Forestry Tasmania have insufficient provisions to allow logging in this endangered species’ habitat. Mating pairs breed for life and may come back to the same nest every year, so if they return and find that their nesting trees have been damaged, the chance of successful breeding for that season is significantly reduced,” said Lisa Searle.

“We are dedicated to securing protection of native forests to ensure the survival of forest-dependent species like the wedge-tailed eagle, as well as other threatened and endangered species that rely on intact forests for their lives.”

“We are calling for the immediate removal of logging machines from these forests and plan to continue to occupy these Brown Mountain forests to prevent their destruction.”

“Native forest logging must end now. We are losing forests and species at an alarming rate. This is not only driving an extinction crisis, but is also one of the biggest drivers of climate change, the biggest threat currently facing our planet,” said Lisa Searle.