Johanna Evans, Kyogle
After enduring the extreme conditions of last summer it seems like an increasingly stupid move by Forestry NSW to continue with plans to log bushfire and drought-decimated public native forests such as Myrtle State Forest south of Casino.
There is overwhelming proof that logging increases bushfire risk. (https://bit.ly/3c1FW9m)
In addition, and of equal concern, koala populations in the region have experienced a huge reduction in numbers, and their habitat. They face extinction if we do not act now to preserve what habitat remains.
A trip to Myrtle State Forest will show you a forest that is burnt out, degraded with few logs of value.
What this forest does contain is valuable as wildlife habitat for koala, owls, and gliders. It’s time that Environment Minister Matt Kean, and Resources Minister, John Barilaro, act to place a moratorium on logging in any public native forest that contains remaining koala habitat. Minister Matt Kean has publicly stated that he wants to see ‘koalas thrive into the future’.
These ministers need to act now to ensure that koalas are given a fighting chance, and our native forests are given a break from logging to recover from the drought and fires of the past year.
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