11.5 C
Byron Shire
June 19, 2025

The time for climate action has come – today protect Styx Valley

Latest News

Protesters again halt Australia’s worst logging

Bob Brown Foundation says Australia's worst native forest logging is currently underway in Tasmania's Central Highlands. The Foundation has recently carried out multiple forest protests in this area to highlight the critical need to end native forest logging. So far, four people have been arrested defending this forest.

Other News

Van life

I totally agree with David Heilpern (Echo, 4 June 2025) that police need to be involved with the problem...

Mullum Rd notice inadequate

I object to the short notice given by Byron Shire Council to reply for the 12 June 2025 meeting....

Burn After Dark: Three Blue Ducks Winter Festival

The Three Blue Ducks have certainly come up with something different for the fourth of July in Australia, something...

Calling on those who love upcycling and repairs

The Upcycle & Repair Centre is a dream for Mullumbimby woman Deidi Vine, who hopes to start the project with salvaged materials and vintage sewing machines — including a newly discovered old-school pedal Singer.

Local artist selected to be exhibited in Royal Academy of Art, London

Former Greens politician Dawn Walker has been pursuing an art career since leaving politics, and has recently received the news that she's been selected for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, which will be showing in London from 17 June to 17 August.

Greens crs split over large, exclusive, contentious DA

Greens Mayor Sarah Ndiaye used her casting vote to squash fellow Greens Cr Elia Hauge’s efforts to delay and seek independent legal advice around a planning agreement for a large contentious 39-large-lot exclusive greenfield proposal near the Mullumbimby Road and McAuleys Lane intersection.

Forests are worth more standing as carbon sinks than woodchips. Tasmanian Forest Defenders have halted logging in Styx Valley, Tasmania. Photo supplied

The Australian government has headed to the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP 26) saying that they will keep digging up coal and keep logging our forests. This is despite the urgent need to stop these actions to turn around the devastating consequences of climate change that are acknowledged world-wide.

Tasmanian Forest Defenders are calling for ‘an end to native forest logging’ highlighting that forests play a vital role in the future of managing global warming and providing essential carbon sinks.

Direct Action

The Bob Brown Foundation has returned to Tasmania’s native forests frontline with a commitment to defend critical carbon-storehouses while the government contributes to the global climate and extinction crises by continuing to relentlessly log native forests.

‘Police have arrived at a protest as Tasmanian Forest Defenders halt logging in a Styx Valley ancient Regnans forest as part of a National Forest Week of Action calling for an end to native forest logging,’ said a spokesperson for Tasmanian Forest Defenders.

Billie Raffety, a 19 year old musician and student from Hobart, has locked down one of the logging machines. Photo supplied

Billie Raffety, a 19 year old musician and student from Hobart, has locked down one of the logging machines.

‘I was lucky enough to grow up in nature, to breathe clean air and feel safe in my own home. I am now learning that the air I breathe is becoming dirty, and my home is no longer safe,’ said Ms Raffety.

‘Saving forests is climate action and now is the time to end all native forest logging across Australia. Forests are worth more standing, but this ancient forest is due for a cable logger to arrive and demolish the ancient carbon sink. Premier Gutwein and Prime Minister Morrison are removing critical tools to mitigating the looming climate emergency – our native forests,’ said Jenny Weber,  campaign manager for the Bob Brown Foundation.

Fossil-fuel dinosaurs excited about a lump of coal.

‘The Morrison Government’s failure to take real and necessary climate action dangerously misses the climate test of taking action in this critical decade we are in now. We will not sit silent while these last remaining life rafts of humanity are being wiped off the face of the planet increasing emissions and removing their critical benefits to climate and wildlife, Ms Weber said.

‘The tallest flowering plants in the world have suffered under a constant battle to survive against the Tasmanian logging industry’s chainsaws. There are today 264 hectares of native forest in proposed and imminently threatened Forestry Tasmania logging areas just in the Styx catchment area.

‘Protecting and restoring Australia’s native forests, while keeping fossil fuels in the ground is urgently necessary to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown.’


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Remembering the trailblazing Ros Irwin

Tributes are flowing for Dr Ros Irwin, the president of Friends of the Koala and Lismore's first female mayor, who has died at the age of 82.

Farmers leading the renewable charge

With droughts, floods and other extreme weather impacting farm profitability across the country, cutting input costs is becoming even more critical to building a resilient future for Australian agriculture. On-farm renewable energy is proving to be a powerful tool to help farmers get there.

Local artist selected to be exhibited in Royal Academy of Art, London

Former Greens politician Dawn Walker has been pursuing an art career since leaving politics, and has recently received the news that she's been selected for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, which will be showing in London from 17 June to 17 August.

Make Music Day returns to Australia on Saturday

The global celebration of music making is back, with Make Music Day taking place on Saturday 21 June around Australia and the world.