Bob Brown Foundation is calling on NSW Labor to be the government that ends the Koala killing, loss-making native forest logging industry. The Foundation commissioned internationally renowned conservation photographer Paul Hilton to uncover the logging in NSW’s Koala habitat in recent days. The shocking images show intensifying devastation wrought by NSW government logging agency Forestry Corp on forests within the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) proposed boundaries. Most egregious is the logging undertaken at Orara East, which has been identified as a critical koala hub.
The footage shows evidence of logging and clearing in native forests, including subtropical rainforests and prime koala habitat at three sites within the proposed Great Koala National Park, at Orara East, Wedding Bells, Wild Cattle Creek and Moonpar forests.
“There is no time to wait. It is critically urgent to securely protect all native forests in NSW. Premier Minns Labor government needs to act now to halt the destructive logging of Koala habitat. We have the evidence that makes a mockery of the government’s promise to declare a Great Koala National Park,” Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaigns Manager Jenny Weber said.
“The NSW Treasurer is currently preparing his statement of intent for his NSW government’s Forestry Corporation for the next financial year. The evidence is in, the only responsible thing to do is to end native forest logging right now and grant secure protection for all Koala habitat on public land in NSW,” Jenny Weber said.
Bob Brown Foundation is currently raising signatures for an open letter to the NSW Treasurer, urging Minister Mookhey to meet their own obligations to pursue the best economic, environmental and community focused outcomes with their statement of corporate intent, due in the coming days. The Foundation claims that ongoing logging of subtropical rainforests, native forests and endangered species habitat, subsidised by the taxpayer is worst economic and environmental outcomes for the community.
“NSW ALP are turning a blind eye to Forestry Corporation ruthlessly intensifying and expanding logging inside the proposed Great Koala National Park. Forestry Corp are operating business as usual in the forests despite grave warnings about the Koala’s path to extinction. We are witnessing the rapid logging of forests before the Great Koala National Park is established,” said Molly Coburn, Bob Brown Foundation’s National Community Campaigner.
“Just last week we saw the Auditor General release their report into the appalling state of affairs at Forestry Corp. While the Environment Minister appears happy to let logging continue as usual until the park is established, it is clear that neither Forestry Corporation nor the EPA can be trusted with koala or any other critical species habitat,” Molly Coburn said.