Vic: Protesters blockade logging operations
12 Jan 2009 8:35 AM
MELBOURNE, Jan 12 AAP - Up to 30 conservationists have stopped logging operations in an old-growth forest in Victoria's east.
Two anti-logging activists occupied wooden platforms attached to cables 30 metres up in the trees to stop bulldozers and other machinery from starting work in the forest at Stony Creek, in East Gippsland, a spokesman for the protest group said on Monday.
Local conservationist Jill Redwood told AAP the protesters would stay on the platform until forcibly moved.
"It could be one day, it could be three days, but they will stay up there until they are arrested," Ms Redwood said.
Group spokeswoman Kate Reynolds said the state Labor party had promised at the last election in 2006 to protect 41,000 hectares of old-growth and iconic forest.
"The forest surrounding Stony Creek forms an integral link between existing national parks," Ms Reynolds said.
"Since the election promise over two years ago to save these areas, we have seen the government set aside degraded low value forest from logging while clearfelling the last eight per cent of Victoria's ancient forests.
"Mr (Premier John) Brumby must honour this election commitment and immediately protect old growth forests."
