Chipmill protest July 2

A mass rally at the Eden chipmill on the far south coast is planned for July 2 from 9am.

Organisers are campaigning to end native forest woodchipping and close the Eden chipmill. They are concerned some forest dwelling creature face regional extinction due to woodchipping.

Rally organisers' spokesperson Harriett Swift said the rally was being sponsored by almost 30 local, regional and national Australian and Japanese conservation groups.

"Australia now has enough plantation hardwood available to replace native forest woodchip exports, but the transition is not happening," she said.

"We simply do not need to destroy our native forests to meet Australia's current woodchip exports and Governments must show some leadership by making sure the plantations are used to replace native forest woodchipping."

Ms Swift said the rally would be conducted as a peaceful and lawful event, with the permission and co-operation of police.

"We are hoping to make it a pleasant family day out for the many people from around all parts of south eastern Australia who want to see an end to the destruction of their forests."

She said that people were expected from as far as Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra and beyond, but the organisers were also anticipating a strong turn out of local people from the far south coast.

"Local people have been living with this dreadful industry for 35 years now and they know better than anyone how destructive and cruel it is," she said.

"One hundred and sixty trucks a day taking their loads to the chipmill are hard to ignore."

"Not only does this industry destroy the forests of the region, it costs us money and makes our roads unsafe," she said.

More information is available at www.woodchippingsux.net.au

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