Conservationists shut down Harvey Norman outlet in Nowra

SEFR Media Release: 23/7/11 This morning 12 conservationists have shut down the Harvey Norman store in Nowra. The company is being targeted for selling furniture and flooring made from native forest timbers.

One activist has climbed atop a lamp post in the store’s carpark and is suspended by cables that are attached to structures blocking access to the store. A coalition of grassroots conservation groups from across Australia have come together to take part in today’s action. These groups include South East Forest Rescue, Still Wild Still Threatened, Chip Stop and Friends of Five Forests.

“Recent research has shown clearly that Harvey Norman are implicated in the industrial scale destruction of irreplaceable forests across Australia,” said Miranda Gibson, spokesperson for the coalition.

“Pristine forests are being destroyed every day in Australia, threatening endangered species, degrading water catchments and contributing to climate change. This wood is then being shipped overseas to China and brought back to Australia to be sold as furniture in Harvey Norman stores,” said Ms Gibson

“Within kilometers of this furniture store the forests of the south east coast are being decimated at an alarming rate,” said Lisa Stone from South East Forest Rescue. “Core habitat areas for threatened and endangered species like spotted quolls, koalas, yellow-belly gliders is being lost. It’s not lawful, it’s unsustainable and it’s time for retailers to take responsibility. It’s time to bring an end to native forest logging in this country.”

“We are calling on Harvey Norman to stop sourcing timber from native forest, and start using alternatives such as plantation and recycled timber,” said Ms Gibson.

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