Protestors claim to have closed three logging coupes in the Murrindindi region today (Wed.).

Karena Goldfinch says one of the forest areas is at Narbethong.

“This publicly owned forest is Narbethong is around 120 years old and is being cut down to be converted to paper which decomposes within a few years,” Ms Goldfinch said.

“It takes 120 years to re-absorb the carbon lost from a 120-year-old forest. We celebrated when this forest near Marysville recovered from the 2009 fires – only to destroy it for the profit of a commercial paper mill a few years later.

“Besides the carbon stores, this forest is home to 2 threatened species; the Greater Glider and Sooty Owlii. Our native State Forests are more valuable left standing than cut down for paper.

“Our native State Forests are more valuable left standing than cut down for paper.

“Even with three logging operations being stopped today, the logging destruction is continuing in four other areas of our forest with up to six machines working in each.

“Transitioning this industry out of native forests is painfully overdue It’s time for Not-business-as-usual”

Ms Goldfinch said the action is being carried out on the lands of the Taungurung people.

“We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. We are destroying their legacy of care for this country at a frightening pace.

“We are telling the Government that business–as–usual is no longer an option. We can’t expect our emissions to reduce if we don’t change what we do.

“The Government’s own advice on emissions target reductions compiled by Greg Combet this year recommends changes in forest management on public land.

“The report’s key findings are that “the next largest opportunity” besides transitioning the electricity sector, “is Victoria’s land sector, with significant potential to increase the carbon sink from forest management on public land, plantations and on-farm planting”,” Ms Goldfinch said.