NEWS RELEASE Friday, 24th November 2000

For international email broadcast.

Logging of primary/old growth forest in NSW, Australia logs greenhouse sinks.

Policy officer with Friends of the Earth, Sydney, Tom McLoughlin reported today on a site inspection of major new logging of primary/old growth forest on the south coast of NSW.

"My assistant Millie Wee and I have obtained a multitude of photographic evidence and exhibits evidencing extensive forest destruction. Evidence includes massive wedges from fresh stumps and soft heart wood which only manifests in aged trees with developing hollows essential for wildlife habitat. Our inspection was on 18th and 19th November 2000 at Wandella State Forest known locally as Peak Alone, NSW south coast."

"Next to the loggging destruction in undisturbed forest we sighted black wallabies (small kangaroo species), lyre birds, black cockatoos and various lizard species whose eucalypt habitat is being destroyed. A proper scientific survey would no doubt reveal other protected or rare fauna."

"There is guaranteed logging rights in one million hectares of public forest in NSW (Forestry and National Park Estate Act 1998). In addition 100,000 hectares of private land is officially approved for deforestation each year (Lands Minister Richard Amery, 21 July 1999).

"The regional premier Bob Carr is an ex-journalist (radio and tv) and former environment minister (1988) and as such is adept at public relations. The premier argues he has protected 1 million hectares in reserves since 1995 though much of this is non-forest. The Carr government has refused to rule out 3 new power stations fueled by native forest woodchips.

"These NSW outcomes have been under a jointly funded national and NSW government endorsed logging policy called the National Forest Policy Statement 1992 overseen by Federal Minster Robert Hill negotiating for Australia at the Hague on greenhouse sinks. The story is worse in other logging/clearing states of Australia in Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.

"Australia has no credibility on wildlife protection. Apart from trees, 5.6 million kangaroos were "culled" last year (ANCA/Environment Australia 1999) and an estimated 5 to 10 million native birds die from land clearing each year" Mr McLoughlin concluded. Mr McLoughlin is a lawyer with a zoology degree from the Australian National University.

For comment: Tom McLoughlin 0410 558838, 02-9517 3900