ID :
40251
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 18:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/40251
The shortlink copeid
Tassie forest radicals dig in
Tasmanian police are consulting an engineer about how to remove an anti-logging activist locked in a tunnel under a forestry road.
A major police operation was launched on Monday to remove activists refusing to leave their forest camp in the Upper Florentine Valley, 100km west of Hobart.
Radical protesters from the Still Wild, Still Threatened group established their ramshackle forest HQ two years ago, on state forest land - tolerated by the state forest authority, Forestry Tasmania.
Forestry Tasmania now wants to carry out roadworks and some logging in the area.
After a recent series of violent clashes and alleged trespasses by the protesters disrupting forestry work, Forestry Tasmania asked police to help it secure a lawful exclusion zone, involving the camp, to carry out their work.
The protesters have been offered another site to set up their camp.
Police say 15 protesters left the site when asked early on Monday morning but nine others refused, remaining in the exclusion zone.
Three of these were removed and charged with trespass after locking themselves onto car bodies cemented into the dirt forestry road, police say.
By nightfall on Monday, police were still working to remove five protesters up tree-sits, and one man locked in a crude five metre long tunnel.
"Police are seeking advice from an engineer about how to safely remove the man from the tunnel," a police statement said.
"Protesters have been provided with another site, just outside the exclusion zone, to continue their demonstration.
"Tasmania Police has a duty to take action when a demonstration or protest prevents others being able to go about their lawful business."
Still Wild, Still Threatened spokeswoman Ula Majewski said the Upper Florentine Valley contains pristine old growth forests.
"It is an absolute disgrace that the Tasmanian and Australian governments stand by while Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Ltd devastate our irreplaceable old growth forests," she said.
A major police operation was launched on Monday to remove activists refusing to leave their forest camp in the Upper Florentine Valley, 100km west of Hobart.
Radical protesters from the Still Wild, Still Threatened group established their ramshackle forest HQ two years ago, on state forest land - tolerated by the state forest authority, Forestry Tasmania.
Forestry Tasmania now wants to carry out roadworks and some logging in the area.
After a recent series of violent clashes and alleged trespasses by the protesters disrupting forestry work, Forestry Tasmania asked police to help it secure a lawful exclusion zone, involving the camp, to carry out their work.
The protesters have been offered another site to set up their camp.
Police say 15 protesters left the site when asked early on Monday morning but nine others refused, remaining in the exclusion zone.
Three of these were removed and charged with trespass after locking themselves onto car bodies cemented into the dirt forestry road, police say.
By nightfall on Monday, police were still working to remove five protesters up tree-sits, and one man locked in a crude five metre long tunnel.
"Police are seeking advice from an engineer about how to safely remove the man from the tunnel," a police statement said.
"Protesters have been provided with another site, just outside the exclusion zone, to continue their demonstration.
"Tasmania Police has a duty to take action when a demonstration or protest prevents others being able to go about their lawful business."
Still Wild, Still Threatened spokeswoman Ula Majewski said the Upper Florentine Valley contains pristine old growth forests.
"It is an absolute disgrace that the Tasmanian and Australian governments stand by while Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Ltd devastate our irreplaceable old growth forests," she said.
