Charges after dramatic arrest
AN anti-logging protester who refused to come down from a eucalyptus tree in the Tarkine has been charged after two police officers were forced to climb 25m to take him into custody.
The Bob Brown Foundation established the Sumac rainforest blockade camp with 45 people last weekend.
Police were called in about 8am yesterday to move on the protesters blocking an area required for Sustainable Timber Tasmania operations.
But Hobart student Josh Nichols refused a direction to leave his tree platform, “sitting firm against the State Government’s plans to send in the bulldozers as early as next week”.
Acting Inspector Tony Stewart said two search and rescue officers climbed the tree and arrested the 21-year-old yesterday afternoon.
He was taken to Smithton Police Station, where he was charged with one count of trespass and bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on December 2.
Bob Brown, who visited the Sumac forest yesterday morning, described Mr Nichols as a “brave heart for the Earth”.
“He has sat firm against needless destruction in an age of climate emergency and this extinction crisis,” he said.
“I called out our gratitude to this brave young Tasmanian.”
Tarkine campaigner Scott Jordan said the dedication of defenders wouldn’t be diminished by the dramatic arrest.
“These threatened forests are located southwest of the popular and iconic Sumac Lookout overlooking the Arthur River,” Mr Jordan said.
“Tasmania’s government logging agency has plans to flatten these forests. We will continue to defend ancient rainforests and tall eucalyptus forests rich in carbon and critical wildlife habitat.
“Endangered Tasmanian devils, spotted tailed quolls, a vast list of birds and many more important wildlife rely on these intact old-growth forests for habitat.”
Acting Inspector Stewart said police would continue monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all people on site.
“Tasmania Police appreciates that people have the democratic right to protest, however police have a duty to take action when a protest or demonstration stops others from conducting their lawful business,” he said.