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MEDIA RELEASE 27 November 2002 |
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"CYCLE FOR OLD GROWTH FORESTS 2 COMPLETES PEDDLING MISSION WITH POSITIVE MESSAGE" A group of keen green fundraising cyclists raising awareness on the importance of old growth forests will complete their peddling mission today with a 2pm celebration at Melboune's Parliament House. The Cycle for Old Growth Forests 2 (COGF 2) departed Melbourne on 6 November and have peddled 1,200km around Victoria to help promote mixed species plantations as a long term solution for the logging industry. The ride is a follow on from the first COGF, this being a 3,500km educational cycle from Brisbane to Hobart earlier this year. Spokesperson for COGF 2, Sean Marler, said support for the ride had been fantastic and that the broader community and regional schools were very interested in learning more about our environment and mixed species plantations. “Australia today supports more than 1.5 million hectares of established timber plantations however much of these are single species crops that have been ill managed by government bodies. Mixed species plantations, on the other hand, are both environmentally and economically sound and the Victorian Government's Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) should invest in planting these for the logging industry", said Mr Marler "Between 1965 and 1985, employment in Australian forestry fell by around 40% while productivity actually increased by a massive 40%. This shocking but true statistic is a result of a now heavily mechanised industry and many once timber towns have suffered huge job loses over time", added Mr Marler. Since coming to power in 1999, Premier Steve Bracks has increased logging >around the state while woodchipping has grown by a staggering 40%. "Western Australian and Queensland have protected all old growth forests in their states and we believe now is the time for Mr Bracks to follow suit", said Mr Marler. "Australia's ancient old growth forests provide a crucial habitat for many threatened species but instead they are churned into pieces of woodchip and exported for as little as 9 cents a ton. This practice is destroying our forests, our future and our jobs along with polluting our water catchments while Australia is battling its worst drought in 100 years", concluded Mr Marler. More information: www.forestfreedom.org/cogf COGF departed Melbourne GPO on 6 November and have cycled clockwise around Victoria visisting schools and doing information stalls. The group have visited Geelong, Apollo Bay, Colac, Ballarat, Daylelsford, Bendigo, Seymour, Alexandra, Healesville, Mt Evelyn and numerous suburbs in the metropolitan area. COGF 2 will be meeting at Friends of the Earth at 312 Smith Street, Colingwood at 12 noon, 27 November, before cycling to Parliament House for a 2pm arrival. All welcome to join the ride. Donations to assit COGF 2 can be made at any ANZ bank; account number 594782301; BSB 014002 |
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