Anti-logging Campaigner Sets Sights On Mogo Charcoal Plant

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday June 4, 2002

By DANIELLE WOOLAGE

Brisbane cyclist Sean Marler has set the wheels in motion to save some of the South Coast's oldest relics - our ancient forests.

The anti-woodchip campaigner, who arrived in Wollongong yesterday, has cycled more than 1000km to spread his anti-logging message.

It is a message the 29-year-old has been taking into hostile territory, targeting logging regions as part of his education campaign.

So far the epic ride to Melbourne, a total of 2500km, has been smooth sailing.

He has had only two punctures and a sore bum, and initial concerns about being run out of timber towns has not been realised.

``On a bike you are a bit of a vulnerable target," he said.

``But even in timber towns, where people rely on forestry for an income, everyone has been open to my ideas, they don't always agree, but they listen.

``It has been a lot easier than what I thought it would be."

But the keen cyclist - he hasn't had a car for five years - will next week face his biggest challenge when he heads to Mogo and the south-east forest region.

``The Mogo Charcoal Plant - the second biggest focus of the ride - is a disgraceful decision by a NSW Premier (Bob Carr) who calls himself green," Mr Marler said.

More information about the ride can be found at www.cycle.wild.net.au/cogf

Forest Facts

Only 5 per cent of Australia's old-growth forest remains

......................................................................... Old-growth forest at Badja State Forest, south east of Cooma, Deua State Forest, near Batemans Bay and Tallaganda State Forest, near Bega is open for logging and ultimately wood chipping

.........................................................................About 80 per cent of timber taken out of old growth forest ends up as woodchips

.........................................................................Old growth trees are usually hollow and no good for saw logs, which is why they are wood chipped, but they are important animal habitats

............................... ..........................................Woodchips are exported to Japanese markets for as little as 9 cents per tonne. The chips are sent to Japan and turned into toilet paper, stationary and packaging. Australia buys them back for between $500 and $10,000.