Forest protectors Valerie Thompson and Kashmir Miller face court in Ballina today, charged with a series of offences related to suspending logging works in the Doubleduke State Forest.
Ms Thompson stopped work in the iconic forest for 30 hours over 9 and 10 March in 2023. The forest was subsequently placed under an EPA-imposed stop work order, after Forestry Corp NSW were found to have not even mapped the giant trees the forest is affectionately named after.
‘This forest is one of the few places in NSW which is a stronghold for three large forest owls in the one place – the masked owl, powerful owl and barking owl,’ said Ms Thompson.
‘When will the real criminals of the forest face court for their crimes against the forest and iconic species like the koalas, yellow bellied gliders, the powerful owl, barking owl and masked owl who rely on this forest?’
Outstanding ecological value
Local ecologist Anastasia Guise has identified the forest as having ‘outstanding ecological value with trees of irreplaceable quality’.
She also noted that the logging was given the green light in error, based on outdated ecological reports that had been written before the two fires 2019 that devastated the important wildlife corridor.
Valerie Thompson said, ‘We all want these magnificent old trees to continue to exist in this native forest that is right on our doorstep – along with the diversity of wildlife they are home to.
‘We call on the Labor government to immediately act to protect these giants, put real controls on FCNSW forest malpractice, and end all subsidies propping up this destructive industry. We need a rapid transition out of native forest logging to an end this wasteful destruction for good.
‘By ending native forest logging, the NSW public will be secure in the knowledge that these magical forests will stand for generations to come, playing their essential role in preserving our biodiversity and climate,’ she said.
Ms Thompson and Ms Miller have been charged with three forestry regulations relating to entering a closed forest and stopping work by being tied to forestry equipment suspended from a tree.
Sheroes.
100% Spot on.
Meanwhile the real criminal, the NSW Government, merrily keeps chopping away with its ForestSlaughterFest.
Hope the magistrate throws the book at them! No respect for the law
Ditto for Forestry Corp & their contractors…. even AFTER massive exemptions from EVERY environmental law not available to ANY OTHER industry or developement!
Renewables developers have even greater exemptions, and do everything the cheap easy way, thus destroying everything in their path, and putting windmills in sensitive places that no other development would be allowed anywhere near.
Garbage! Your bush law degree is not worth what you paid for it.
Renewables developers still need to comply with all environmental impact assessment regulations unless exempted by specific legislation creating such exemptions…. such as the Regional Forest Agreements. What legislation creating such exemptions are you referring to? Or just making sh*t up as usual?
Old growth forests logging is a redundant practice and an industry which is proped up with large government subsidies . Another form of corruption where governments worry more about votes in logging communities than the ultimate health of the planet.Just another One of the sicknesses that must be cured directly if we are all to survive.
Totally David Victoria and WA have got rid of logging old growth forests but nsw is beholden to the logging industry for votes even though most would be national party voters who’d never vote Labor go figure good on Valerie she’s been on this mission for years with nefa 👌 plantation timber the way to go or mud brick or rammed earth and hay bales wattle and daub to build houses the amount of old furniture burnt or gone to landfill is just as criminal not to be recycled