Conservationists to host Open Day in the Otway Forests to show damage caused by logging close to rainforests

Environment Minister Garbutt fails to stop conservationists obstructing logging operation

Media Release - Sunday 15th April 2001

Today conservationists have organised an open day for the public to inspect an illegal logging operation. The logging, endorsed by Environment Minister Sherryl Garbutt, is threatening to kill the surrounding rainforest. Visitors will be taken on tours by conservationists to show how logging operations at Ciancio Creek on the Wait-a-While Road are elevating a disease called Myrtle Wilt which kills the Myrtle Beech trees which grow in Cool Temperate Rainforest. All stands of Cool Temperate Rainforest in the Otways are threatened with extinction by Myrtle Wilt.

In the past week the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) have been unsuccessful in removing the conservationists who are preventing logging near the rainforest. More than 30 DNRE officers with the assistance of 30 police failed to remove the conservationists and local residents obstructing logging. No trees have been felled at Ciancio since conservationists stopped logging on Friday 6th April. It is expected DNRE will attempt to remove conservationists again after the Easter break.

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