BY ALEX BAINBRIDGE

HOBART — Pressure continues to mount against the state Labor government on various forests-related issues since the rally of 3000 people in the Styx Valley on July 13. The most direct expression of this pressure is the call for a follow-up action on August 19.

Sculptor Peter Adams, who spoke at the July 13 protest, has issued a call for a mass vigil from dawn to dusk outside state parliament on August 19. This is the day that the next sitting of parliament begins. Adams' call has been circulated on a number of email lists, and given the level of sentiment on the issue, can be expected to be well attended.

The government and the forestry industry have ongoing problems finding an acceptable transport route for woodchips from the Southwood woodchip mill — now renamed the Huon Wood Centre. First they wanted to use a port at Electrona, however, this was opposed by the local fish farming industry and the community.

The next option put forward was to use log trucks through Ranelagh — described by residents as a quiet village. This also faced strong community opposition and was eventually rejected by the Resource Planning and Development Commission.

The currently preferred option is to use woodchip trucks through the Derwent Valley. This also has provoked a major community backlash including a public meeting of 350 on July 23— at which deputy premier Paul Lennon received a roasting — and a public meeting of 200 on August 7, at which the Derwent Valley Action Group was formed to oppose the plan.

The main objection being voiced is to the method of transport of woodchips — by road while residents have advocated the use of rail transport — instead of woodchipping per se.

Meanwhile, forests activist Neil Smith has been threatened with jail if he does not pay a fine. Smith came to prominence in the 1998 campaign against woodchipping of Kooperoona Niara (Great Western Tiers).

Known at the time as “Hector the Protector”, Smith was involved in a tree sit for almost a fortnight, from which he used a mobile phone and laptop computer to publish information about the campaign on the internet.

He was fined $5000, which he has so far refused to pay, under a law that has since been repealed. He was sentenced on July 29 to 51 days in jail for non-payment but this would be suspended if he pays within two weeks of that date.

From Green Left Weekly, August 13, 2003.
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