UPDATE: Forest defenders have just occupied a third logging site in Waykaywirinu/Tasmania’s Central Highlands, escalating their protest against the ongoing destruction of ancient forests. This urgent action took place yesterday, as logging machines from Forestry Tasmania continue to clear vital ecosystems approved by the Tasmanian Government.
The protests come on the heels of peaceful occupations at two nearby sites, all within a 30-minute radius, highlighting the industrial-scale devastation occurring in this region. According to Jenny Weber, Campaign Manager of the Bob Brown Foundation, “This is industrial-scale devastation of ancient forests. These ancient forests are irreplaceable. They are habitat for threatened wildlife, vital carbon stores, and are on unceded Palawa land.”
The situation is critical: these forests are not just trees; they are essential for biodiversity and climate stability. The ongoing logging threatens both the environment and the heritage of the Palawa people, who have lived on this land for thousands of years. “Yet right now, they are being obliterated by Forestry Tasmania,” Weber added, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
In tandem with the protests, the Bob Brown Foundation has mobilized an online campaign urging Tasmanian voters to press the newly elected crossbench politicians. They are advocating for a commitment to end native forest logging as a condition for supporting any future government. “There is now an opportunity for progressive independents and The Greens to secure an end to native forest logging,” Weber stated. “WA and Victoria have shown what’s possible and ended native forest logging. Tasmania can and must do it too.”
In addition to the protests, two activists from the Northern Rivers region, Juliet Lamont and Hamish Paterson, have recently been arrested for their involvement in the campaign against forest destruction. Their arrests underline the lengths to which individuals are willing to go to protect these vital ecosystems.
As this situation develops, the eyes of the nation are on Tasmania, where the fate of these ancient forests hangs in the balance. The call for action is clear: supporters of forest protection are urging immediate engagement from the public and policymakers alike.
Stay tuned for more updates as this critical story unfolds. The fight to protect Tasmania’s ancient forests is far from over, and every voice counts in this urgent battle for survival.
