violence against Protesters. From: OREN propaganda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Precedence: bulk So much has been happening over the last few days. The media along the surf coast have picked up on the assault by a member of a logging crew on two OREN activists with the blunt end of an axe. The same logger has now reportedly driven a vehicle through the OREN base camp and terrorised a group of women staying at the camp. It is important that we don't let these sort of actions intimidate us and an increase in numbers at the base camp and blockades is required ASAP. The base camp is behind Lorne at Curtis Clearing on the Mt. Sabine - Benwerrin Rd. Take the Erskine falls Rd from Lorne, turn left into Mt. Sabine - Benwerrin Rd. The camp is 20 minutes drive from the intersection. If you are down that way, looking for something to do on a day trip or after some action in the forests, then come on down. Contact 03 5237 7516 for more info. On a more positive front, OREN activists have just defeated charges of hindering forestry operations. From the hearing came some examples of monumental mismanagement of the forests in the Otways (as if we didn't know that one already). For further info read below December 3rd December 1998 OTWAY'S RESIDENTS CLEARED ON FOREST PROTEST CHARGES Logging in water supply reserve and on road reserve judged unlawful. Otway residents and conservationists charged with hindering lawful logging operations in the Otway State forest, where yesterday found not guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court. The court found that logging authorised by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) was unlawful. The eleven arrests occurred on the third of February 1997 during a native forest protest on the Wild Dog Ridge Track. The DNRE ordered the arrests after residents refused to stop obstructing logging contractors clearfell logging along the Wild Dog Ridge. The ridge is a popular local bushwalking track north of the tourist town Apollo Bay. Among the accused were residents from Geelong, Warrnambool, Torquay, Anglesea, Apollo Bay and Kennett River. Barristers acting for the accused include Brian Walters, Gerard Mullaly, and Tony Lewis. Magistrate Mr. John Kledstadt, heard the case. The case went for over 6 days including 4 days of evidence and a court view of the forest at Wild Dog Ridge. The court found DNRE had illegally authorised the extension of a clearfell logging coupe into the Olangolah Water Supply Reserve. The reserve supplies Colac with domestic water and is recognised in the Otways Forest Management Plan as a flora and fauna reserve. Regulations designed to protect vegetation in the catchment require that approval be obtained from the Olangolah Water Supply Committee of Management before any removal of trees and shrubs can occur. DNRE forestry officers had not sort approval from this committee when they allowed clearfell logging in the reserve. Additionally the court found that the disputed forest was within a road reserve under the authority of the local municipality. All trees and shrubs on the road reserve are the property of the Colac-Otway Shire. The DNRE had failed to get approval from the shire to clear the reserve. Costs of $25,000 were awarded against the State Government and the department. "Otway residents are overjoyed to see justice done", said acquitted Apollo Bay resident, Mr. James Butt. "This case highlights the incompetence of DNRE management. The DRNE forestry's desperation to meet sawlog and woodchip licence allocations has allowed such a stupid mistake to occur. How many other illegal clearfell logging operations are occuring in the Otways on public and private land ?" "The outcome of this case shows that the DNRE has disregard for other government authorities within the Otways State Forest", said Otway Ranges Environment Network spokesperson, Mr Simon Birrell. "The DNRE act like cowboys who think they can clearfell wherever they like. The public can no longer trust DNRE Officers to honestly manage the Otway forests for timber production." "This whole exercise is a major loss of credibility for the DNRE. If they had chosen to listen to the warnings of local conservationists rather than attempting to stop their protests by arresting them, we could have avoided this whole mess". The DNRE cannot be trusted and it is more important than ever that Otways residents and conservationists monitor clearfell operations in the Otways. Recent moves by the DNRE to regulate public scrutiny have included zoning the forest on Wild Dog Ridge into a Forest Operation Zone The public must now seek a permit from DNRE foresters to enter this forest. We have just demonstrated that DNRE cannot manage its logging operations competently. What else are they trying to hide?" "The DNRE can only justify their actions on a need to meet unsustainable sawlog and woodchip allocations. The department has disregard for other forest values including domestic water supply and the retention of trees along walking tracks and tourist roads. This has impacts on the health of the local community and the future of tourism in the region. It is time for clearfell logging in the Otways to end." O t w a y s R a n g e s E n v i r o n m e n t N e t w o r k An affilliation of Otway's residents, regional and Victorian conservation groups, Community groups and campus conservation networks [EMAIL PROTECTED] (OREN Propaganda) WEB SITE http://www.oren.org.au DO NOT assume that any act of damage to logging equipment or logging infrastructure is done by conservationists or members of anti - logging groups. - Victorian Police (internal memo)
