BELLINGEN’S main street was blocked on Wednesday 7 October, by a group of young protesters.
The protest coincided with the opening of the 2026 National Forestry Symposium in Canberra, where officials, government bodies and organisations gathered to discuss “social license” and “effective engagement” within the forestry industry.
The protesters, self-named forest defenders, stopped traffic on Hyde Street by blocking a logging truck on its route through the town.
The group remained on the road and demanded that the logging truck stop. Protesters sat down and laid underneath the vehicle.
Traffic was held up at the crossing for approximately 15 minutes as a crowd gathered to watch.
Members of the group shouted out to onlookers about logging industry profits and alleged corruption exacerbating climate change and the extinction of endangered native species.
A spokesperson for the group said the action was a part of the wider ‘discussion of resistance’ occurring in the Coffs Coast region to address contested logging operations.
“Forests are falling on Gumbaynggirr Country with zero consent and consultation with Gumbaynggirr Elders,” the spokesperson said.
“Vital habitat for endangered animals is being felled right now in Pine Creek State Forest with Tuckers Nob next on the chopping block.
“Colonial extraction is driving extinction and climate collapse. There is no other option than to disrupt it.”
By Andrew VIVIAN
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