Areas in yellow = logging since 2023 | Areas in red = planned logging to 2025. Image
www.nature.org.au
In 2015 NSW Labor promised that they would create the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) on the NSW North Coast, however, the native forest logging industry has recently claimed that the cost will be over $1 billion and the government should consider two smaller GKNP options.
The proposed GKNP is approximately 176,000ha which the ‘industry panel advised the NSW government that a full-sized park would cost 2200 jobs and require $450 million in workforce support, according to a report in the Canberra Times.
The industry report then proposed either a ‘37,000 ha footprint [that] would cost about $273 million and 440 jobs’ or ‘An “acceptable” 58,000ha option would cost about $410 million and 660 jobs.’
$1b disputed
The $1b price tag has been disputed by a range of environmental groups who say ‘those numbers are insanely inflated by the logging industry’ and that ‘the logging industry’s claims for compensation for a GKMP are absurd and easily refuted.’
‘There are numerous credible assessments of industry transition costs as well as the significant economic benefits to the North Coast and NSW from a well-designed park. None of this has been included in the logging industry analysis which lacks credibility,’ said Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA).
‘In 2023 the Blueprint Institute assessed that stopping logging of all public native forests in north-east NSW would directly affect 500 workers and require a generous restructuring package of $215 million. The industry is now claiming it will cost six times as much to stop logging in only 176,000 ha (15 per cent) out of the 1,150,000ha of State Forests in north-east NSW.
‘Studies have shown that the costs of restructuring will be more than offset by the economic benefits. For example, the 2021 University of Newcastle assessment undertaken for local councils found that over 15 years the creation of the GKNP would result in increased tourism generating an increase in total output of $1.18 billion and an increase of 9,135 jobs, accounting for the loss of logging jobs.
Extinct in 25 years
A year-long NSW Parliamentary inquiry into koalas that reported back in 2020 found that koalas would become extinct in NSW before 2050 unless urgent government action took place.
The report found that habitat loss remains the biggest threat to the species’ survival in NSW.
‘The committee said this habitat loss had been compounded by the 2019-20 bushfires, with an estimated 24 per cent of koala habitat on public land affected. In some areas, as much as 81 per cent of habitat had been burnt,’ reported The Guardian at the time.
‘There are another 108 species threatened with extinction that are known, including major populations of the nationally endangered southern greater glider, spotted-tailed quoll, hastings river mouse, and rufous scrub bird,’ said Mr Pugh.
Doro Babeck, NSW Campaigner with the Bob Brown Foundation said that ‘the government must stick to its commitment to delivering the GKNP in full. Anything else is not acceptable. The government has promised the GKNP and taken the proposal three times to an election to win votes but still fails to provide protection for these forests and end the logging. The original proposal for a 176,000ha National Park is what is necessary to help bring koalas back from the brink of extinction.’
End native forest logging
Victoria and WA have both ended native forest logging this year and there are increasing calls from the NSW crossbenach in the Upper House from the Greens, Animal Justice Party and the Legalise Cannabis Party and environmental groups to end native forest logging in NSW and fulfill this promise by NSW Labor of creating the GKNP by the end of the year.
‘There are three steps required by the NSW government to resolve the native forest issue,’ said Wilderness Australia’s Alec Marr.
‘First is to stop logging in the GKNP. Second is to immediately cease all logging in all identified areas of endangered species habitat (including gliders and koalas). Third, implement a rapid exit from native forest logging in this Parliamentary term of government.’
‘Since the ALP were elected in March 2023 assessments of environmental and economic values have been undertaken, while logging continued,’ said Mr Pugh.
‘There is no longer any excuse to continue logging the park. With the assessments complete, it is now time for the Minns government to stop the logging, transfer the full 176,000ha to national parks, and provide compensation packages for affected workers.
‘The evidence is overwhelming that this will be one of our great national parks, and its protection will be of immense economic benefit to the people of NSW.’
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
