The North East Forest Alliance
Is campaigning to stop further logging in the forests of Jilliby West of Wyong.
They want it to be declared a National Park because of its outstanding
conservation values.
Jilliby Update:
The media in Newcastle and Central Coast has been running hot with the Jilliby
story the last weeks, as events unfolded rapidly. Logging began within the
reserve proposal in Olney State Forest 2 weeks ago, with State Forests bringing
the compartment forward 4 months, despite the imminent decision for a reserve
and a number of alternative places to log. 5O people in Newcastle staged a
sit-in in the State Forests office while hundreds of calls were received by
politicians to voice dissent to the commencement of logging within the reserve.
The day after this occurred; State Forests declared the forest closed, denying
public access to the area and threatening $22OO fines and arrests to anyone who
entered the compartment.
Community auditors, who have been monitoring logging operations for years,
entered the forest to oversee the first round of completed logging. While
carrying out the audit, they were evicted from the area and one person was
arrested and fined. Their investigations uncovered the worst nightmare in a
logging operation – with serious breaches in logging licence. Hollow-bearing
trees which provide important habitat for threatened species were cut, and no
habitat trees or recruitment trees were retained. Cliffs and rocky outcrops,
unique habitat which require a 20m buffer by law, had been bulldozed and
logged. Media photographers were denied access to the area and State Forests
cancelled an appointment with concerned community to be escorted into the
logged area because of threats of violence from loggers. Video footage was
taken of the breaches under risk of fines and given to the media. A breach
report has been lodged with the National Parks and Wildlife service and awaits
a site visit next week. The entire compartment remains locked up to all access,
and the worst style of greedy logging continues within the reserve proposal.
Don't hesitate to contact us with any ideas/comments on 49294395, 0411 697905
or 0427221691.
Yours for the forests and water.
Claire Dunn