Audio Report on Palmer Block Actions - June 15 05

Audio Report on Palmer Block Actions
by radiofreeperth 2005-06-17 2:50 AM +0800

Palmer forest is situated near Collie in Western Australia’s South West. It is one of the last remaining high conservation value (HCV) forests containing significant numbers of large old growth jarrah trees. It is under immediate threat of Logging. The area provides an important habitat for many native species including Black-Faced Wallabies, Red and White-tailed Black Cockatoos, Echidnas, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Brush-tailed Possums, Fairy Wrens, Dunnarts and Mardos...

HEAR THE AUDIO FROM Perth Indy Radio - Weds15Jun05:
Click Here: http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/palmer_update15june05.mp3
[2minutes 20sec 1.6Mb MP3]

Palmer forest was meant to be protected under the Gallop Government’s previous election promises because of its high conservation value (HCV). This promise has been broken. Logging could begin in Palmer Block immediately.

HEAR THE AUDIO FROM Perth Indy Radio - Weds15Jun05:
Click Here: http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/palmer_update15june05.mp3
[2minutes 20sec 1.6Mb MP3]

See Palmer Website for details...
http://al.perthimc.asn.au/palmerblock/


Days after the 2005 WA election the Forest Products Commission (FPC) began marking in 290 hectares of this HCV forest in preparation for logging. The FPC expects to get 12,100 m3 of 1st and 2nd grade saw logs, representing the highest volume per hectare of jarrah on this years logging plan at 42 m3/ha. These high volumes are because of the many large old growth jarrah trees that can be found in the Palmer forest block.

Most of the wood will go to sawmills owned by GUNNS - who are responsible for wood chipping Tasmania’s ancient forests. [See Also: McGunns]

Action is required now if we are to save this precious forest ecosystem.

If you want to help please email JarrahForests@gmail.com or phone 0427 558 963

SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO:
http://al.perthimc.asn.au/palmerblock/


PALMER BLOCK 1 - Jarrah FOREST RESCUE – OFFICE HOURS Assessments

Assessments done by independent Environmental Consultants on “out-of-date” data, and not actually going to the site itself to record the level of HCV – which the Collie Conservation Group have. Some 500 people had signed the initial community-based petion to protect the Palmer Forest Block from logging. With dwindling Jarrah resources, pressure from big industry like Gunns [BLAHBLAHBLAH] the government have ignored the community’s wishes and will push ahead with Logging the area immediately. Activists camped at the site say: Roads have now been marked out and little regard has been given to the threat to the bio-diversity of the area nor the impact of logging will have on the habitat.

http://al.perthimc.asn.au/palmerblock/

Well its been cold and wet in Palmer over the last two weeks, but we have furthewr improved camp conditions and put a tin roof up in place of the tarps, it much cosier now and we're ready for further weather.

The rain we have had has pushed palmer into the too wet to log catergorey. This is part of Calm's regulations to control soil disturbance in wet soil conditions, however the forest products commission can apply to CALM for special permission to log any way. Weve been told by the CALM district manager that there has been no such request and he would likley refuse any such request.

In true CALM logic however they are still allowed to go in and clear vegetation, dig up soil and drive around the bush to construct roads!!

So on one hand we hope that we now have more time to work on building support for further action, but on the other we need to be ready to stop road construction we could be immenant.

More support is needed in camp to prepare to stop any move to construct roads, while we also need more support in perth to raise more awareness.

Any questions call cassidy on 0427 558 963

MORE:
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=11134