SAVE OUR JARRAH

Media Release DATE: 16/10/2009

SMALL COMMUNITY CONFRONTS THE GOVERNMENT

The small community of Jarrahdale, in the hills one hour south east of Perth, is bracing to confront the State government and the Forest Products Commission (FPC) over the logging of the local Jarrah forest on the edge of the town.

In July, locals came out in force at a town meeting and the Jarrahdale Forest Protectors (JFPs) group was formed. Their aim is to counter the proposed destruction.

A spokesperson for the group, Mr Leif Jamvold, said that the unlogged forest represents the town’s economic future. The local shire is working towards that aim.

“To cut it down at a financial loss is madness,” he said. “Taxpayers are subsidising Gunns saw millers and losing an irreplaceable asset.”

On 13 September 2009, representatives from the Jarrahdale Forest Protectors met with the Minister for Forests, the Hon. Terry Redman, to voice their opposition to the logging.

Jarrahdale Forest Protectors highlighted a recent Department of Environment and Conservations (DEC) report which said that the Swan Region, including Jarrahdale, had already been over logged, and that the size and quality of the trees being taken is ever decreasing.

Jarrahdale Forest Protectors believed FPC’s operations were run at a loss and that the logging is unsustainable.

“An irreplaceable asset will be lost for the sake of short term shareholder interests.” Mr Jamvold said.

“Keeping the forest intact is financially viable and responsible. Any money made by the huge tourist potential of the area would benefit the local economy, rather than government subsidies to Gunns, via the FPC, going outside the State or overseas.

“Proper management of forests is crucial for Western Australia’s future, in the fight against climate change and diminishing rainfall, and to reduce carbon emissions,” he said.

In the meeting with the Jarrahdale Forest Protectors Minister Redman said he could not stop the logging. In a statement to Parliament on 15 September 2009, he confirmed this by saying: “I do not want to back away from this harvest process.”

“Jarrahdale locals have lots of support from around Perth and down south and we are ready to take peaceful direct action to stop the logging when the FPC moves in with their machinery,” Mr Jamvold said.

Contact:

Leif Jamvold C/- Jarrahdale Forest Protectors, Jarrahdale Post Office 6124

Mob: 0437 007 759