Protesters target VicForests' Healesville HQ
The Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader Newspaper
17 Aug 11 @ 12:40pm by Staff writer
PROTESTERS are descending on VicForests’ Healesville office after an expected showdown with the timber industry fizzled.
In a press release sent to the media this morning, protesters predicted up to 10 arrests as they marched on an off-limits logging coupe near Toolangi.
However, the protest fizzled after a no-show by the authorities saw the Sylvia Creek logging coupe gates opened and the protesters walk through unhindered.
My Environment’s Sarah Rees said protesters were now heading towards Healesville to talk to VicForests staff there.
They want to talk about two live Leadbeater possum nests they claim to have found in the coupe late last week.
Ms Rees said they only wanted to work with the government and timber industry to meet everyone’s needs.
“We’re not anti-logging,’’ she said.
“We’re looking at shifting wood chipping to plantations.’‘
The coupe has been the site of an ongoing battle to stop logging for the past month, with two protesters arrested at the start of this month for entering the protected area.