Nightcap Forest Festival

Nightcap Forest Festival

Residents of Nimbin on NSW's north coast are gearing up for their spring Nightcap Forest Festival, to be held between October 1 and October 5.

The festival will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the historic successful struggle to save the local Nightcap Range from logging. The Nightcap National Park was established soon after, and the area has been given world heritage status.

The festival will be an invaluable opportunity for networking between activists. Organiser Bob Hopkins told Green Left Weekly that the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) will use the event as a springboard for a period of protests to oppose the NSW government's resource security package for the timber industry. The legislation would remove protection from natural and cultural heritage sites and severely reduce the protection available for endangered species.

The festival will include talks and ceremonies by local Koori groups, workshops on forest defence and protection, a street carnival, exhibitions and displays, information on wood alternatives, inspections of local indigenous tree nurseries, tree planting, bushwalking and a video/art extravaganza. Entertainment will include a forest film festival, the Nightcap Ball and a NEFA benefit.

Camping facilities are available, and there will be food available to buy. A festival season ticket, permitting camping and providing access to all events, is $25. For more information phone Bob Hopkins on (066) 891 592 or Karrie on (066) 213 278.

From GLW issue 72