Logging dispute in PNG's West New Britain Province leads Tzen Pacific to file contempt charge, alleges logging company Innovest breached restraining order preventing dealings or interference with permit holder Aria Vanu Timber

Wendy Lisney

SYDNEY , September 25, 2013 (PNG Post-Courier) – A CONTEMPT charge against a logging company that was alleged to have illegally landed logging machinery in a disputed area in the West New Britain Province has been set for hearing next month at the Waigani National Court.

The contempt proceedings against Innovest Limited was taken out by another logging company, Tzen Pacific Limited, on allegations that the defendants had breached an order of the National Court dated November 19, 2010 permanently restraining them from interfering or dealing with Aria Vanu Timber Company Limited, which is the permit holder.

Just last week the same company was ordered by the National Court not to conduct any logging operations in the area.

It had ordered that Innovest, its servant or agents, are restrained from conducting any logging or timber harvesting and marketing operations including building, upgrading and reconstructing any or all logging, roads.

The order also included restrictions on carrying out any forest inventory survey to aid preparation on all logging and forest working plans.

Another of the orders was for negotiating with resource owners for the purpose of ensuring logging or timber harvesting operations to commence within, at, from and out of the Aria Vanu Block 3 Local Forest Area pending the eventually determination of this proceedings by, or until further order (s) of this Court.

Meanwhile, an assessment of damages for a default judgment against Innovest Limited to pay damages to Tzen Pacific Limited for alleged loss of business and interference in its contract has also been scheduled by the National Court to be heard October 19.

(c) 2013 News Limited

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