A protester who suspended herself in a tree on a 25m high platform by a rope attached to three NSW Forestry machines in Doubleduke State Forest in April has had her case adjourned until next week.
Lismore law student and forest protector Kashmir Miller faced court today after stopping work in Doubleduke State Forest near Woodburn earlier this month. The forest was then placed under a stop work order by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Forestry Corp given the green light to log
Protesters say, however, in a move that shocked many community members who have visited this ancient forest gully and seen its significance for themselves, Forestry Corp NSW were given the green light to continue logging this iconic forest after they were deemed to have met the EPA’s mapping requirements.
Before her court appearance today, Kashmir Miller said when she was up in the tree she could hear the cries of many animals. ‘I could see the logging trucks, the bulldozers and all the logs that were these animals homes.
‘We cannot continue native forest logging – it is accelerating the climate crisis, and the extinction crisis. Every tree cut down is a step further along the extinction crisis.
Unique biodiversity of Doubleduke
‘We need to preserve the amazing, unique biodiversity of Doubleduke for our own sake, as well as for the wildlife.’
Ms Miller is facing a number of charges related to entering the forest and interfering with timber harvesting equipment. The matter has been adjourned to Ballina Courthouse on Thursday next week, May 11.
The Echo spoke to Miller this morning after her court appearance. She said the stop work order currently in place in Doubleduke State Forest shows that this logging is unlawful and unjust. ‘The community have had to step in to protect native species too many times, as the State government continues to fail us.’
Forest advocates are planning on setting up an info stall this coming Thursday at the Lismore market. They will be encouraging letter writing, engaging existing public support for ending native forest logging, info on endangered species and ecological communities and information on how people can speak up for forests.
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