July 2010
Nearly a year after the last update and we still have a presence on the logging road into the Upper Florentine Valley. There is always a shortage of people in winter but there's always diehard crew who will stick out these cold months. Thanks to our invaluable supporters for helping us build a new winter tarp house. It is a time of huge change in the timber industry and political arena and we wait with hesitation for decisions which could decide the fate of these forests future.
We always have interesting visitors to the blockade from heavy metal bands to world renowned photographers, speaking of which here is a link to the blog of a landscape and adventure photographer from the NT who recently visited the Florentine forest and blockade.
http://truenorthmark.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/
31st August 09
On Friday Police and Forestry began destroying the new house (previously known as the castle) and the tree sit which had been attached to it.
The castle had been constructed using salvaged timbers including some beautiful celery top pine cladding. Members of the community who support the protection of this and other oldgrowth forests had also spent their own money and worked hard in their spare time to help in the construction of this shelter at Camp Florentine, tucked away in the immense ancient forests of Tasmania.
On Saturday they returned to burn it. The burning of the remains of this house is symbolic of the destructive practices used in the clearfelling of oldgrowth forests, when specialty timbers (including celery top pine) are simply left to burn.
This is yet another example of the Police and Forestry Tasmania's relentless and unnecessary harassment that members of the public are subjected to in their forests. It is too wet for them to log, they are simply trying to demoralize and wear us down with their childish behaviour.
Come and visit the Upper Florentine and see the reality for yourself.
A huge thanks to everyone who supports us, we will rebuild, we will not move
Remains of the house burning
Tuesday snowfall on Gordon Rvr Rd west
August 09
Camp Florentine is still alive
Although Tasmania's Forestry and Police busted and tore apart camp AGAIN in May we stayed on. Due to a ridiculous 24hour police presence for a month we couldn't do much but watch on as they proceeded to use the logging road they extended in January. They clearfelled the first 25 hectares of logging coupe FO044A while we witnessed a constant stream of empty and loaded log trucks each escorted by 15 police or more.
After 3 years of resistance this is the first scar apart from the road into the once pristine Upper Florentine Valley. There are still 1,000's of hectares to be protected.
The blockade is re-established on the 'road to climate chaos' with a treesit 50m high in a giant eucalypt and connected to the castle (the new house built with salvaged poles and celery top pine) and with a new bush kitchen and fire pit.
Come and see the forests for yourself, there is info and walks,
join us for a cuppa or stay for a while, all are welcome.
