Environmentalists expand their presence in the Tarkine forest

Protesters have moved into another coupe in the Tarkine as pre-logging work begins.

ANTI — LOGGING protesters have moved into a new part of the Tarkine forest as road works to provide loggers access to another coupe begin.

The Bob Brown Foundation said it had expanded its forest defence into the Que River area after hearing reports of pre-logging road works.

“The action builds on Bob Brown Foundation’s frontline actions in defence of the Frankland River, Rapid River and Sumac Ridge rainforests,” campaigner Scott Jordan said.

“In the face of climate emergency, we simply cannot continue the outdated logging of ancient forests without dramatically increasing the impact on our communities.

“We call on Premier Will Hodgman to immediately halt plans to log takayna / Tarkine and end logging of all native forests, instead placing them in secure reserves as vital carbon banks.”

The foundation has maintained a blockade at Sumac Ridge since October and two were arrested and charged with trespass.

Police then urged activists to rethink the way they protested.

Officer in Charge of the Burnie Police Division Inspector Adrian Shadbolt said the arrests diverted resources from other, potentially life-threatening, incidents.