Court documents obtained this week confirm conservation group South East Forest Rescues claims that Forests NSW are unable to meet timber commitments and are having to pay out for logs that never existed. In light of these documents SEFR are calling on the State government to end native forest logging.
MEDIA RELEASE: 7/10/2011 Conservation group South East Forest Rescue have today called for the complete end to native forest logging following the finding of not guilty in Moruya Local court. In this case defendants were prosecuted for a Sunday walk in Mumbulla State Forest, north of Bega on the south coast.
SEFR Media Release 15th August 2011 The conservation group South East Forest Rescue has today served summons on both South East Fibre Exports, the Eden Chipmill owned by Japanese company Nippon Paper Group, and Bega Valley Shire Council. SEFR have commenced court action in the Land and Environment Court over the chipmill’s proposal to build a factory that makes pellets, to be burned in heaters, from native forest trees.
SEFR are seeking an order by the Court that the development consent be declared invalid.
SEFR Media Release July 26th In Buckenbowra State Forest on the south coast of NSW a person is atop a structure 20 metres in the tree top canopy. There are four logging machines attached by cable to the structure. The conservation group South East Forest Rescue today confirmed that the illegal cutting of native forests continues. The state run agency Forests NSW have not ensured that their authorised contractors obey the law.
In the wake of the Commonwealth notices on applications for protection of public forests in the Five Forests area and Bodalla area the conservation group South East Forest Rescue today announce they have stepped up the campaign to end native forest logging on the south coast.
“We have repeatedly requested that Forests NSW listen to the community’s concerns,” said Ms Lisa Stone, spokesperson for South East Forest Rescue. “We have repeatedly requested that Forests NSW adhere to the law. This has fallen on deaf ears.”
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.
