Here's a 'copy and paste' from Steve Meacher.
Good evening all,
I begin this message taking a moment to remember the events of Black Saturday, three years ago. Today, of all days, we are conscious of what was lost and give thanks for what we still are lucky enough to have. We honour the memory of those who were not so fortunate.
And we are reminded of the importance of doing what we can to protect the people and places we love, including what is left of the forest that so defines the character of the Ranges in which we choose to live.
- o0o -
As expected, My Environment -v- VicForests continued in the Supreme Court today.
The day was mostly spent with counsel for VicForests diligently endeavouring to establish the framework of his client's defence, through extensive reference to the legislation and foreshadowing some of the evidence that they intend to bring before the court.
It was mentioned that, if the court finds that the three coupes that are the subject of this case cannot be legally logged, then the same will apply to another 162 coupes across Victoria, making it clear that this case could have much broader significance.
Immediately after lunch arrangements were confirmed for the viewing tomorrow, so there will be no sitting in court. VicForests then concluded outlining their case, before the court rose at 4:38 pm. The hearing will continue in the Supreme Court on Thursday at 10:30 am.
The case was mentioned again on the ABC TV news this evening and a summary of last night's report is now on the ABC News website, with a video link to the first part of Friday's 7:30 Vic story. There was also a brief mention in The Age (see below), at the end of another story. Please help keep the story alive with a letter to the editor -
letters@theage.com.au
To follow developments, visit the My Environment link.
If you can support the campaign in any way, including much needed financial donations, now is the time!
And, once again, please forward this message to anyone who might be interested and/or sympathetic, including larger environmental organisations that should be supporting us.
Many thanks,
For the forests,
Steve
from The Age
â– THE population of Victoria's endangered faunal emblem, Leadbeater's possum, was cut roughly in half by the Black Saturday bushfires as 45 per cent of its habitat was destroyed, the Supreme Court has heard. The claim came on the opening day of a civil trial brought by a conservation group trying to stop native forest logging in parts of Victoria's central highlands on the grounds they provide habitat for the species.
VicForests will outline its defence before Justice Robert Osborn today.