{Heading}

OTWAY CONSERVATIONISTS BLOCKADE THREE LOGGING COUPES

Native forest logging stopped after State Government breaks agreements with conservationists

Saturday 7th April 2001

Over 40 conservationists are currently occupying three native forest logging coupes in the Otway State Forest. Conservationists moved into coupes at Bennetts Track and Egans Track over night. This followed the blockading of the Ciancio Coupe on Friday morning. The conservationists are angry over the lack of adequate buffers between the edge of the logging operation and stands of Cool Temperate Rainforest. Ciancio Creek has rainforest that is listed as National Significance in the Otway Forest Management Plan.

"The logging sanctioned by Environment Minister Sherryl Garbutt may be illegal under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act due to the presence of a fungal disease called Myrtle Wilt. This disease threatens the survival of Cool Temperate Rainforest in the Otways", said spokesperson for the Otway Ranges Environment Network, Simon Birrell."

"Minister Garbutt has further aggravated the situation by denying that any agreements exist with conservationists over contentious logging areas. This is in spite of 6 months of mediated discussions that occurred between Otway conservationists, the logging industry, NRE, the timber union and the Minister's own staff. This discussion sort to reach a solution to the conflict that had lead to acts of violence against conservationists this time last year. Despite the Labor Government never signing off on the agreement, OREN (Otway Ranges Environment Network) and DNRE (Department of Natural Resources and Environment) have been working to the conditions established at these discussions."

"So far the atmosphere at the blockades is relaxed with the relationship between conservationists and loggers being fairly congenial. I have spoken to a representative of the forestry union and we are hoping that any of the violent conflict seen in previous years will avoided." Said Simon Birrell.

"From discussions between loggers and conservationists at the coupes, it would seem that we all feel that the blame rests fair and square on the Department and the Minister Garbutt."

"We are accusing Environment Minister Garbutt of complete hypocrisy over the protection of Victorian rainforest. When Garbutt was Shadow Minister, she made strong public statements in State Parliament identical to the arguments we are now putting forward to demand a halt in the logging at Ciancio."

"The State Parliament Hansard transcript from December 1996 clearly details Garbutt's firm criticism of her predecessor (Marie Tehan) for failing to protect rainforest from Myrtle Wilt. Garbutt said she would only take advice from scientists. Garbutt also said
"in places where the Myrtle Wilt virus is present the recommendation is that there should be a buffer of up to 350 metres. "

"Since coming to power, the Environment Minister has seemingly forgotten the significance of Myrtle Wilt, not just to the Otway rainforests but also to the regional economy. Due to the air dispersal nature of the Myrtle Wilt fungus, tourist attractions along the Great Ocean Road are threatened. Attractions such as Maits Rest in the Otway National Park receive hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists every year and are a vital component of the regional economy."

Don't know the meaning of a word? Check the glossary.