MEDIA RELEASE OTWAY FOREST PROTESTS TO CONTINUE Friday 12 February 1999 A meeting in the Otways on Thursday attended by 50 conservationists and local residents vowed to continue protest actions against clearfell logging operations in the Otways State forest. The meeting resolved protests would be as big and regular as events such as “Rock above the Falls” and “Pub to Pier” held every year in Lorne. “The group decision came when it was discovered the Federal Member of Corangamite Stewart McArthur suggest the Opposition members in Federal Parliament should confront conservationists in the Otways with chainsaws.” said spokes person for the Otway Ranges Environment Network (OREN), Simon Birrell. “Such a comment is said only to promote violence and terror against local residents trying to protect Otway native forest. Many people who attend the meeting yesterday had been threatened and terrorised by chainsaws during the timber workers blockade of local residents and conservationists. ” “The group is also disappointed with the official position of the Colac Otway Shire which totally ignores the need for tourism development in the Otway hinterland. In their official vision for the Otways printed in Friday’s Colac Herald, the Shire focused on tourist development along the Great Ocean road but the word hinterland does not appear once. We believe there is a strong pro-clearfell lobby group within the shire that colludes with the State Government to keep roads such as Binns road through the Otway National Park in poor condition. Binns road is a major link road for tourists to venture into the Otway hinterland.” “If the shire is really pro tourism development in the Otway hinterland, we challenge them to oppose the clearfell logging of a coupe scheduled next year to occur adjacent the car park at Triplet falls. Triplet falls is in the Otway hinterland and is one of the few remaining forest tourist attractions. However next summer tourists will have to avoid log trucks and put up with the sound of chainsaws and falling trees. The Triplet falls area is also a National Site of Rainforest Significance. Scientific research indicates clearfell logging close to rainforest may introduce myrtle wilt that will kill off the cool temperate rainforest along the Triplet Falls rainforest walk. Is the council aware that the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 deems it illegal any for human activity that elevates myrtle wilt levels ? This human activity includes clearfell logging.” “It is poor leadership in the local community and stupid comments from Ian Smith to cut the dole for the few unemployed people who attend forest protests, that force us once again to confront the timber workers. We will endeavour to continue dialogue with the Otway Hardwood and Cartage Association but the outlook is set for a massive escalation of non violent direct action against the timber industry. The rumour within the timber industry that clearfell logging in the Otways will soon end is correct.” “Past intimidation by timber industry workers only fuels our resources and support. OREN has a queue of barristers and solicitors wanting to help prosecute timber workers who threatened, assaulted and held hostage conservationists over the past few months.” “Finally we wish to thank Jane Culvert for helping publicise the Otways debate and making it a national issue. We hope the Forestry Division of the CMFEU union elects Jane again so she can came back to the Otways next Summer.” O t w a y s R a n g e s E n v i r o n m e n t N e t w o r k An affilliation of Otway's residents, regional and Victorian conservation groups, Community groups and campus conservation networks [EMAIL PROTECTED] (OREN Propaganda) WEB SITE http://www.oren.org.au DO NOT assume that any act of damage to logging equipment or logging infrastructure is done by conservationists or members of anti - logging groups. - Victorian Police (internal memo) -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List As vilified, slandered and attacked by One Nation mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
