The scene is set for a showdown between anti-logging activists and police on the South Coast, following a meeting in Bermagui on Monday.
At the meeting, local activists were told there will be zero tolerance for people breaking the law while protesting logging operations in State Forests.
“Legal action will be taken for any offences committed,” officer Peter Volf told a meeting between police and representatives from anti-logging groups.
Although the meeting was arranged by NSW Forestry, there were no forestry officers present.
When asked why they were not there, police officer Peter Volf said they had double booked, a response met by jeers from the crowd.
Activist Lisa Stone labelled the Bermagui logging operation illegal, saying NSW Forestry has not issued a harvest plan or consulted with the community on the matter.
One group opposed to the logging, Friends of the Five Forests (FOFF), say logging will also result in the siltation of the Bermagui River and damage oyster leases.
A request was made for police to address all those gathered, but the officers declined saying they wished to discuss the matter with a small group in a rational manner.
FOFF representative Suzanne Foulkes questioned police about the need to exclude the wider group from the meeting.
“The group would like to hear it first hand from you not second hand from us,” Ms Foulkes said.
“All of these people are committed just as much to stopping this operation as the people you have invited are, so I think it’s only fair and decent that you should address everybody who has attended.”
In response officer Peter Volf said “I’ve invited five people not fifty I appreciate your strength in numbers but I have invited five people so we can sit down and talk about it rationally.”
In a closed meeting police said they understood the democratic rights in relation to protests but they would not support illegal activities.
He said illegal activities include trespassing into areas marked by Forestry for logging.
The group was informed that public land would be sectioned off and made inaccessible by force of law.
Dr Helen Caldicott responded by saying the property belonged to the public.
“We own those forests, they are our forests that’s our land,” Dr Caldicott said.
“Laws are established for the benefit of the majority of the people, the earth is in serious trouble and this law does not benefit the majority of people, therefore laws must be changed,” Dr Caldicott said.
Members of the group questioned police about the legality of the operation to which police officer Peter Volf said it was a matter for the Land and Environment Court.
Police presence will depend on the amount of protests and the activities of the protestors wether illegal or illegal, he said.
When asked why police were taking the tough approach officer Volf said it was due to the outcome of recent court cases where it has been brought to police attention they need to be more consistent in their dealings with protests.
The decision to take a zero tolerance stand was made by the senior management team of the Far South Coast Local Are Command and has been supported by the assistant commissioner,” he said.
Officer Volf denied the police involvement was influenced by any higher levels of government in support of the logging operations.
Logging plans pending
Forests NSW is preparing plans for the harvest of two compartments in Bermagui State Forest north of Bermagui.
The area was last harvested about 20 years ago.
“The forest forms part of the timber supply provided for under the Eden Regional Forest Agreement between the NSW and Commonwealth governments,” said Forests NSW Southern Region manager Ian Barnes.
“Thinning of the forest will yield essential high value sawlogs for industry in the southeast.”
Mr Barnes said detailed planning for the harvest was well advanced, including comprehensive field surveys for a wide range of ecological values requiring protection, including possible koala presence.
Forests NSW has used its current koala survey method as well as a new survey method under development and neither has found any koala presence in the two compartments.
“A number of community groups and representatives have been consulted during the planning process,” Mr Barnes said.
Mr Barnes said Forests NSW had an extensive history of the Bermagui State Forest, which showed that it was transformed from a virtual clearfelling about 80 years ago to become the sustainable forest that is present today.
“This forest demonstrates the way a planned and well managed forest can be created for the ongoing benefit of local communities,” Mr Barnes said.
“The history shows us that after the planned harvest, the Bermagui State Forest will continue to be a sustainable spotted gum forest ecosystem with similar environmental, economic and social values that it has today.”
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