Paul Bibby
Activists have this morning blockaded an industrial logging operation taking place in a vital wildlife corridor west of Tabulam.
The blockade is taking place in the Girard State Forest, one of the last significant wildlife corridors between the Border Ranges National Park and the Bundjalung National Park.
‘I’m taking this action because I believe it is necessary,’ said one of the activists, who is currently undertaking a tree sit attached to logging machinery.
‘I love and understand the importance of these forests. Logging in the face of climate collapse is criminal.’
A Budget Estimates hearing last month heard that native forests were at risk of ‘serious and irreversible harm … from the cumulative impacts of fire and harvesting’.
Questions were also raised about the viability of the industry in light of the 2019/20 bushfires and the recent floods.
Speaking about this morning’s action, incoming Greens MLC and Forestry Spokesperson, Sue Higginson, said the Girard State Forest was also home to protected native species such as Yellow Bellied Gliders, Greater Gliders, the powerful owl and Koalas.
‘Koalas were recently listed as Nationally Endangered, yet here is the NSW Government logging their Habitat,’ Ms Higginson said.
‘The current logging of this Public Forest is against the recommendations of the Natural Resources Commission which last year said, after the horrendous fires of 2019/2020 we need to retain more habitat if we are to protect threatened species. The Forestry Corporation is not following this advice.’
Our Northern Rivers communities have been devastated by the catastrophic climate induced weather events yet in the hinterland our government is logging like there is no tomorrow. We need to protect our forests in our defence against climate change.’
Logging a bushfire risk
Meanwhile, new research by the Australian National University has found logging native forests increases the risk of catastrophic bushfires.
The study’s authors warn that logging is not just increasing the risk of severe fires, but also the risk to human lives and safety.
‘Logging increases the probability of canopy damage by five to 20 per cent and leads to long-term elevated risk of higher severity fire,’ Lead author Professor David Lindenmayer said.
‘On the other hand, if disturbance due to logging is minimised, canopy damage can be reduced, in turn reducing the risk of uncontrollable fires.’
The ‘loggers’ need to get to hell out of there & Sue Higginson
is correct – we must retain more habitats for threatened species.
How much longer do we have to put up with the anachronistic , illegal and basically insane antics of Forestry Corporation.
We really don’t have the forest nor the native flora and fauna to wast on these clowns who are unable to make an honest living.
Let’s make commercial logging of native forests totally illegal, with a penalty of two years gaol and $30,000 fine for individuals and the same for board members, partners and CEOs and share-holders.
Cheers, G”)
While we were holidaying the State Govt passed laws, backed by Labor, that prohibit protesting in any meaningful way I.e. blockading forests, coal loading facilities, fracking sites etc. 2 years in goal and $20,000 fines.
Welcome to the new Australia … so sad where this country is headed.
The NEFA propaganda continues: we should do more mining and burn more fossil fuels so we can turn our back on renewable natural resources – including regrowth timber production forests.
Good thing the rest of society is not gullible enough to think this is a good approach
The NSW talk a big game about tree, habitat and wildlife protection but go in the opposite direction when it comes to taking real action.
We’ve got this spectacle playing out in South West Sydney around Campbelltown where we have healthy Koala colony being threatened by land clearing making way for residential development.
{QUOTE} “The blockade is taking place in the Girard State Forest, one of the last significant wildlife corridors between the Border Ranges National Park and the Bundjalung National Park.”
Paul was this shock-horror opening to your alarmist article intended as a joke ?
Of not, you need an accurate map and some local knowledge methinks.
What ! On the steepest country . Where’s the common sense in it. Work safety . OH and S. . More erosion charging down the hill. More chance of the machine operator rolling down the hill. More trucks on dicey roads . Vote them out on a state and federal level. How much would tourists pay for a guided tour of a pristine forest with a big variety of plants and animals. A lot more money could be made out of this site by leaving it alone.