This morning over twenty people from Yorta Yorta Nation, Red Gum Forest Action and Friends of the Earth peacefully stopped an illegal logging operation in the Millewa red gum wetlands on the Murray River in NSW.
One protestor is in a "tree-sit," a platform suspended high in the forest canopy from cables attached to logging machinery.
This morning over twenty people from Yorta Yorta Nation, Red Gum Forest Action and Friends of the Earth peacefully stopped an illegal logging operation in the Millewa red gum wetlands on the Murray River in NSW.
One protestor is in a "tree-sit," a platform suspended high in the forest canopy from cables attached to logging machinery.
Last week federal environment minister Peter Garrett backed away from his obligation to intervene in the logging, which is in breach of both state and federal legislation.
Yorta Yorta Chairperson Neville Atkinson has supported the peaceful action of the protestors, calling on the NSW government to follow the lead of Victoria by protecting Millewa in partnership with the Yorta Yorta people.
The individuals who have taken this action want the federal government to enforce the law and order a halt to the logging. They need your support in calling on Minister Garrett and NSW Premier Nathan Rees to act.
Following is a message from the blockade. Please take the time to send an email or phone Minister Garrett and Premier Rees today (contact details are below).
A message from the Blockade
Community Blockade of Illegal Logging Operation
Millewa Forest, Yorta Yorta Country, New South Wales
1st June 2009
Today we have stopped logging in the Millewa forest on Yorta Yorta country. We regret the need for direct intervention but the community is left with no option given the belligerent refusal of the NSW government to obey the law, or Peter Garret to enforce it.
Today was supposed to be the day that logging ceased in the 84,000ha of internationally listed Red Gum wetlands, under the orders of Federal Environment Minister Peter Garret.
Last week, however, we learned that Mr Garret has indefinitely extended the deadline for Forests NSW to comply with the law.
Given this extraordinary breakdown in governance, we felt we had no option but to step in ourselves.
We are not prepared to stand by and watch internationally listed wetlands destroyed by patch-clearfelling to produce cheap firewood.
We are not prepared to wait any longer for governments to enforce their own laws or the international standards Australia is committed to.
We call on the Commonwealth government to enforce the law and stop the logging immediately.
We call on the NSW government to create new red gum national parks, jointly managed with the Traditional Owners.
We ask people everywhere to support our call, and demand that Minister Garret and NSW Premier Nathan Rees act today.
A message from the Blockade
Community Blockade of Illegal Logging Operation
Millewa Forest, Yorta Yorta Country, New South Wales
1st June 2009
Today we have stopped logging in the Millewa forest on Yorta Yorta country. We regret the need for direct intervention but the community is left with no option given the belligerent refusal of the NSW government to obey the law, or Peter Garret to enforce it.
Today was supposed to be the day that logging ceased in the 84,000ha of internationally listed Red Gum wetlands, under the orders of Federal Environment Minister Peter Garret.
Last week, however, we learned that Mr Garret has indefinitely extended the deadline for Forests NSW to comply with the law.
Given this extraordinary breakdown in governance, we felt we had no option but to step in ourselves.
We are not prepared to stand by and watch internationally listed wetlands destroyed by patch-clearfelling to produce cheap firewood.
We are not prepared to wait any longer for governments to enforce their own laws or the international standards Australia is committed to.
We call on the Commonwealth government to enforce the law and stop the logging immediately.
We call on the NSW government to create new red gum national parks, jointly managed with the Traditional Owners.