NSW NATIONALS MPs are claiming that the recent Great Koala National Park (GKNP) announcement has “obliterated” the North Coast timber industry, will cost thousands of regional jobs and has no guarantee of being funded or established.
The proposed boundaries of the GKNP were announced by Premier Chris Minns and Labor ministers in Coffs Harbour on 7 September.
If passed into legislation, more than 176,000 hectares of state forest will be added to existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare reserve in coastal and hinterland areas between Kempsey and Woolgoolga.
The Government has imposed a temporary moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed park boundary.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders described the GKNP proposal as a “phantom project that is destroying the lives of up to 5,500 workers and their families”.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, who serves as Shadow Minister for the North Coast, said the government has offered no clarity on the proposal.
“Even the moratorium is extremely misleading, because it indicates the Government is leaving things open ended in case its koala park doesn’t come to fruition,” he said.
“Labor has put the cart before the horse here, with no solid detail around how any of this will work, yet our communities are the ones being forced to pay the price.”
The Nationals say that only ten weeks worth of support will be given to the 300 workers directly impacted, with no consideration given to any related industries.
Member for Clarence Richie Williamson claims his region will be “gutted”.
He said the decision will further exacerbate the housing crisis, by wiping out 40 percent of the state’s future hardwood supply and forcing the price of construction materials through the roof.
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, a staunch supporter of native forest logging since his election in 2023, said the decision ignores the “sustainable and tightly regulated” nature of industry in NSW.
“Unlike the myths by activists, it is the gold standard – renewable, recyclable, and essential in so many ways,” he said.
In response, a spokesperson for Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said information has already been provided about support for affected workers and businesses.
Assistance for affected workers includes JobKeeper-style payments to cover salaries, while financial assistance is available towards business operating costs.
As well as payments, workers and their families will have immediate free access to mental health, financial and legal counselling services and training support.
The Government says it has contacted every impacted mill and has now commenced discussions about their long-term options to ensure appropriate support for workers.
In terms of timber supply, the spokesperson said that the 176,000ha being added to the GKNP equates to 21 percent of North Coast state forest, and that the 176,000ha supplies 16 percent of hardwood in NSW and 1.2 percent of hardwood in Australia.
Through the North East Regional Forestry Agreement, the 176,000ha supplies 43 percent of high-quality wood and 29 percent of overall wood in the North East region.
Premier Chris Minns said, when announcing the GKNP boundaries, pointed out that plantation pine was now the predominant wood used in housing construction.
The Government has also stated that the GKNP will not end forestry on the North Coast and has committed to working with local communities throughout the industry’s transition.
The Government has acknowledged that the final creation of the park is dependent on the successful registration of a carbon project under the Improved Native Forest Management Method, which is currently moving through the Federal Government assessment processes.
Announcement marks ‘end of an era’
Taking to social media on 11 September, Bostobrick-based logging company M&M Timbers said the GKNP announcement and moratorium meant major and immediate changes for the business, which has been owned by the Parker family for generations.
“Today was the end of an era for the Parkers as we loaded out the remaining logs felled last week from the announced GKNP area,” the business posted.
“There were tears shed as we said goodbye for now to State Forest native harvesting.
“We will continue to fight for and support our fellow timber families throughout this process of uncertainty in the coming weeks.
“But tonight we will take some deep breaths and be thankful for the opportunity and people we have met along the way.”
The business also paid tribute to Graham Parker, described as the “father and grandfather of the crew”.
Mr Parker passed away 26 years ago, also on 11 September.
By Andrew VIVIAN
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