FOREST protesters remained locked in at the Weld
Valley last night.
About 20 people were at the new Weld River bridge for a second day,
highlighting the failure of the State Government to act on a January 1
deadline to end clearfelling of selected forests as recommended in the
Tasmania Together process.
Spokesman Simon Brown said the protesters, which include Hobart City
Council alderman Mat Hines, were prisoners of Forestry Tasmania because
the gate had been locked on Wednesday after they entered the area.
Several protesters had walked or biked the 6km from the gate to the
bridge, carrying supplies.
"Forestry Tasmania's reckless practices have caused the loss of
thousands of hectares of our forest," Mr Brown said.
"If we weren't organised their recklessness could have endangered
peaceful protesters."
Greens leader Peg Putt praised the stand of Huon Valley residents who
objected to the discarded Tasmania Together target.
"The unfinished business of ensuring the survival of the Tasmania
Together old-growth forests will be picked up by community members who
have a greater sense of responsibility to the future than Premier Jim
Bacon," she said.
Forestry Tasmania acting general manager Kim Creak said the protest,
which was stopping logging trucks crossing the new Weld River bridge,
was futile.
He said 82 per cent of the Weld River was fully protected and would not
be touched.
"The operations they are trying to prevent access to are the Warra
long-term ecological research and regrowth sites, all three open for two
years."
He said operations were continuing on all three coupes but Forestry
Tasmania was concerned over access for safety and fire control and
damage to the bridge.