Ongoing protest halts logging in Kinglake, contractors to seek compensation

Angry protesters will again flock to a logging site in a Kinglake forest today in a move that is costing contractors “thousands of dollars” a day. But the furious logging company has a plan to get the money back.

Determined protesters say they will not leave a scheduled tree-harvesting zone at the Mt Robertson State Forest in Kinglake until all logging operations cease.

A disgruntled family logging business is demanding compensation from VicForests, claiming the government body is not doing enough to stop protesters interfering with controversial tree-harvesting at a Kinglake forest.

The protesters first stormed the active work site at Mt Robertson State Forest on July 8, forcing Meyer Log Cartage contractors to stop logging for two days.

The protesters continued their disruption last week, causing workers to abandon logging again on Monday and Thursday.

Logging contractor Kyle Meyer told the Leader ongoing protests had caused his father’s business to lose “thousands of dollars”.

“We haven’t decided upon a figure yet, but we will be seeking compensation from VicForests,” he said.

“Each day we are prevented from working that’s between $6000 to $8000 we lose.

“We’re all just trying to earn an honest living and we keep facing disruption after disruption.

“It’s getting out-of-control — we want the government to have more security at logging sites, or else these invasions are just going to continue.”

A protester watches on as logging machinery clears felled trees in Kinglake.

An area of 22.8ha is slated for removal at the forest, which survived the deadly 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and is home to the threatened greater glider species.

The trees will be felled over the next four years, with the project approved on July 17, 2014, according to a VicForests timber release plan.

The Leader understands VicForests plans to work with Meyer Log Cartage to understand the financial implications of protest action.

While Kinglake Friends of the Forest protester Sue McKinnon acknowledged their protest was “unfair” on logging contractors, she vowed the group would not stand down until all operations ceased.

“It’s unfair to the contractors because the State Government know this is controversial and knew contractors and protesters didn’t want this, but have gone ahead and approved it,” she said.

“But we are witnessing our forest being stolen from us and that is also unfair and that is why we are here.”

VicForests spokesman Alex Messina said protesters faced possible charges for entering a timber harvest safety zone.

“This is about keeping people safe in a potentially dangerous environment,” he said.

“Timber harvesting coupes are strictly controlled workplaces.

“VicForests has reported the entry into Spyglass coupe by non-authorised persons to the authority that enforces Timber Harvesting Zone provisions.”

Protesters were escorted out of an active logging site in the Mt Robertson State Forest in Kinglake last week.

Ms McKinnon said protesters would spearhead a public anti-logging rally today at the corner of Extons and Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd about 2.30pm.

“This forest has survived three fires from 1928, so a lot of the trees here are pre-1939 and even pre-1928,” she said.

“The harvesting zones are also well-used areas for trail biking and four-wheel driving — to see the stunning area destroyed for paper is so heartbreaking.”

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Mr Meyer said contractors were aware of the rally and had organised for no trucks to cart any logs today.

“The rally will be on the road our trucks are using to enter and exit the logging site, so as a precaution have organised for no carting to be done during the day,” he said.

“It’s just another example of how we are trying to do our job, but keep getting disrupted.”

Meyer Log Cartage started logging at Mt Robertson State Forest on July 1 and have been contracted to remain onsite for the next eight weeks.

Wallaces coupe, an area of 43.4ha, will be the next zone slated for removal.

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