Six arrested at Tas timber mill protest

Six protesters have been arrested after rallying to shut down a large sawmill near Hobart over native logging.

The Bob Brown Foundation said 27 protesters rallied at McKay Sawmill at Bridgewater, with people locked on to entrance gates and machinery.

Two people were arrested for trespass and another four for failing to comply with an officer's directions, Tasmania Police said.

All were bailed to appear in court at a later date.

Police said they are also investigating after a drone was seen flying in the area during the protests.

Protesters have vowed to continue their campaign to end native forest logging in the state.

"McKay's are accepting logs from contentious native forests including old-growth and rainforests and this has to stop," campaign organiser Lisa Searle said in a statement.

"We will not back down and we will not stop protesting until we see a total end to native forest logging in Tasmania."

McKay Timber general manager Brett McKay said the protest cost the company $25,000 to $30,000.

"All people must have the right to attend their workplace without fear of such harassment," he said.

"I commend our employees on the way they handled the situation."

Mr McKay said all timber products milled at the site are 100 per cent Chain of Custody Certified, meaning the wood originates from certified forests.

Tasmanian Forest Products Association chief executive Nick Steel condemned the protest.

"All of their wood is sourced from forests approved for harvesting by both the Greens and Wilderness Society in 2013," he said in a statement.