#mt jersey

[1geco-blog]

View from the tree sit...total destruction..but the cabling looks amazing, good work all those involved!..and this is not the end.

[1geco-blog]

Calls for new Premier to put forest protection on the agenda

Thursday, 14th March, 

Media Release

Calls for new Premier to put forest protection on the agenda

as old-growth protests stop logging for a second consecutive day.

Protests against controversial logging in the old growth forest of Mount Jersey enter their second day today, with one man halting four logging machines. The volunteer conservationists is tied to a tree sit 30m in the air, and is stopping operations for the second consecutive day. He is supported on site by more than a dozen other conservationists in the logging zone.

With the recent departure of Ted Baillieu, and overhaul of the Coalition front bench, conservationists are calling on Premier Napthine to commence his term of leadership on a more forward-thinking note than the destructive environmental legacy of his predecessor,by protecting our dwindling forests.

 "This change in leadership is a chance for the Napthine Government to shift away from Baillieu's legacy of forest destruction, and protect Victoria's iconic forests and the threatened species they contain," said spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO), Jo Edwards.

"Victorians are facing an extinction crisis in our publicly owned forests. Protection of forest habitat for endangered wildlife is paramount."

The area has been subject to protest actions since November last year, when logging began in the area. Despite being habitat for the endangered Long Footed Potoroo, nearly 40 hectares have been clearfelled, and another 80 hectares of irreplaceable old growth forest is scheduled to be logged.

"Premier Napthine has the opportunity to be the Victorian Premier who calls a halt to the sale of our forests to prop up an ailing woodchip industry, and protects our unique forests for air, water and wildlife, and the long term tourism potential they present – but only if left standing."

"The diverse, intact ecosystem of Mount Jersey is of extremely high conservation value - too important to log, woodchip and sell to Japanese pulp and paper giant, Nippon Paper, for paper products.”

"Although 37 hectares of this area were lost to logging last year, conservationists will keep vigilant watch to ensure the remaining 79 hectares of Mount Jersey and the rare wildlife it contains are protected," said Ms Edwards.

GECO ph: [phone] " " " " email: [email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/GECOEastGippsland 

[1geco-blog]

Photos of todays action, Mt Jersey has been the site of ongoing actions since last year, it is a controversial forest area, it is full of amazing massive old growth trees and home to a high volume of bird species and the long footed potoroo.  Protests are expected to continue.  

It is ridiculous that in 2013 we are still blockading old growth forest, in these times of politicians spouting words like global warming it appears that thats all they are, words.  It is not only oil and mining that are destroying our planet, the destruction of these forests that are then replaced with plantations are part of the problem, leaving them in the ground would be part of the solution and a step forward in moving toward a healthier planet.  Stop Old Growth Logging Now.  

Updates will be forthcoming... 

[1geco-blog]

Stumps

While our tree sitter held the machines yesterday, conservationists measured the circumference of stumps within the Mount Jersey logging coupe.  10.8m 6.7m 6.9m 6.6m 7.15m 7.7m

Along with one that was found underneath a pile of debris which could not be measured due to Department of Primary Industries wanting to arrest everyone, however, word is that it is larger than the 10.8m stump, the largest measured so far. Stay tuned, we'll try and get a measurement.

And yes, you read it correctly, Department of PRIMARY INDUSTRIES is now the forestry arrest enforcers, can anyone get deputised these days?

[1geco-blog]

MEDIA RELEASE  Wednesday 23 January, 2012 Protesters measure at Mount Jersey as enormous trees targeted for woodchipping. For the second time this week, controversial logging operations at Mount Jersey in far East Gippsland are the site of protest activity. “This morning thirty volunteer conservationists have entered the logging site to measure the size of trees being logged there,” said spokesperson for the group, Lauren Caulfield. Trees as large as eleven metres in circumference have been felled and will be carted to the woodchippers. “It is not a rational use of our natural resources to have these magnificent assets utilised for a low value product such as woodchips. And all at great cost to the taxpayer too.” Last year Baillieu government loggers VicForest posted a loss of over $900,000. “As the state’s environment minister, how can Ryan Smith stand by and allow this wasteful use of our resources?” asked Lauren Caulfield. The conservationists will compile their findings and expose the Baillieu government’s wanton approach to forest conservation. “Despite the forestry Minister Peter Walsh’s recent efforts to deter volunteer conservationists from monitoring tax-payer funded logging, protests have continued on site.” “It is no longer viable for any state government to prop-up the logging of our forests. To log trees as large and magnificent at those on Mount Jersey is not sustainable, by anyone’s book,” concluded Ms Caulfield.

For more information and if you want to know whats going on in the Australian forests of Far East Gippsland, or want to get in contact with the GECO crew like our fb page...

[1geco-blog]

A few more pics from yesterdays action.

[1geco-blog]

21 Jan- this is an eleven metre stump at a logging coupe at Mt Jersey that only last year was protected due to it being habitat for endangered critters, but this year, well see for yourselves...there are thirty people standing on that tree stump...it was protected for a reason and then logged for no reason...unless you think giving people jobs that are so insanely subsidised by the australian tax payers a reason..

[1geco-blog]

Mt Jersey - Before and After

The forests of Far East Gippsland survived the last ice age, but will they survive the Australian Government.