FORTY people gathered at a locked gate outside Orara East State Forest on 18 June, with 25 singing and dancing their way into the forest, halted logging operations for three hours.
Micah Weeks also locked onto a harvester, immobilising it.
“I’m here today inside the boundaries of what is supposed to be the Great Koala National Park, the long-promised National Park that still hasn’t been delivered,” he said.
“Instead, we’ve got logging equipment in here tearing down the forest.
“The only option we have left is to come in ourselves, take direct action, and stop the logging with our own hands.”
According to police, 25 protesters were detained and issued with 65 penalty notices.
Mr Weeks was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with five offences; interfere with timber harvesting equipment – forestry area; contravene direction to leave forestry area given by officer (two counts); enter forestry area without permission if prohibited by notice; and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 16 July.
A spokesperson for Forestry Corporation of NSW said that state forests are specifically designated to be managed for multiple uses, including timber production, in line with strict environmental regulations.
In acknowledgement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) assessment process continuing, the NSW Government has directed Forestry Corporation to protect the most critical koala habitat in the assessment area – including 106 koala hubs.
The spokesperson said Forestry Corporation has an obligation to continue supplying critical timber resources to communities who rely on timber for infrastructure, and the industry that employs people in regional NSW.
He said all operations are strictly regulated by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Forestry Corporation’s practices are certified to the Australian Standard for sustainable forest management.
A member of the “Friends of Mt Coramba” said the community is determined to protect the forest, not only because it is a place of deep local significance, but because it holds immense ecological and cultural value.
Logging operations in the Orara East State Forest were again halted on Tuesday morning.
By Andrew VIVIAN
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