By Mitchell Clarke
Illegal protests which took place at a Gippsland timber coupe has enraged Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath who claims the State Government weren’t quick enough to act.
The family-run business Robin Logging was targeted by activists who locked up equipment and performed a tree sit at Ballantynes Saddle near Noojee.
It’s believed the Robin family asked Premier Daniel Andrews for help, but he refused to act.
In State Parliament on Thursday 30 May, Ms Bath asked Labor Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes why nothing was done to intervene, however Ms Symes said the matter was being investigated.
“The Minister says they’re now investigating, but she’s two weeks too late – the Robin family needed the Government’s help to get back into their coupe – not to be told why they were locked out in the first place,” Ms Bath said.
“The Robin family pleaded with the Andrews Government for assistance, but were given excuse after excuse as to why authorised officers couldn’t attend, including that they were understaffed because somebody had called in sick.”
Ms Bath alleges that the protest, which lasted for two weeks, had cost the Robin family $150,000 who had to pay staff who couldn’t work to meet their contractual obligations.
A Department spokesperson said they were in the process of sending authorised officers to the coupe to take imminent action on the protest when the protestors left the coupe.
“We are aware of an alleged incident involving a drone at Noojee timber coupe and DELWP is investigating this matter,” the spokesperson said.
“Non-authorised persons found inside a Timber Harvest Safety Zone are potentially breaking the law and face possible charges – this is about keeping people safe in a dangerous environment.
“If any member of the Victorian community, including environmental organisations, have concerns that illegal activity may be underway in our State Forests then these concerns should be reported to the regulator, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).”
