The termination of plans at Mogo to burn native forests for charcoal should put an end to silicon production based on biodiversity destruction" the National Parks Association of NSW and the Colong Foundation for Wilderness announced today.

"Australian Silicon has learnt the lesson the hard way by having its proposal for a massive charcoal plant rejected by the community for the third time, this time at Mogo. Since 1999, Australian Silicon first tried Dubbo, then Gunnedah, and the unanimous community voice said hands off the western woodlands," said Mr Cox, executive officer of the National Parks Association.

"Now the south coast community has said a resounding no to the use of its forests to make charcoal," he added.

"Australian Silicon should get the message that charcoal production based on tearing up forests is not appropriate in this day and age," said Mr Keith Muir, director of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness.

"The native forest estate should not be abused by converting it to charcoal," Mr Muir said.

"Australian Silicon’s proposal to examine ways to lift proposed silicon production by a third to 40,000 tonnes per year to take on Chinese and Russian producers is not a response that will find community acceptance anywhere in Australia", said Mr Muir.

"NO community anywhere will want to turn 300,000 tonnes of native forest per year into charcoal. The way ahead is to develop new technology using alternative sources of carbon, rather than sticking with unpopular charcoal technologies. Big Russian and Chinese silicon producers can’t be beaten without a technological edge", he said.

"The Nature Coast community is to be congratulated for its determined efforts", he said.