DEAR News of the Area,
The Great Koala National Park (GKNP) legislation that was passed by NSW Parliament last week was apparently only the end of the beginning in the fight to secure more state forest land, with many conservationists unhappy that it didn’t go far enough.
Greens MP Sue Higginson flagged the fights to come by saying “Tomorrow we continue the work of protecting the rest of our public native forests.” In other words, more protests and more emotional slogans and rhetoric in an attempt to put an end to all native forest harvesting in NSW.
That is why it was refreshing to read Member for Coffs Harbour and NSW Nationals Leader, Gurmesh Singh’s letter (‘Carbon park misses the mark’, NOTA, 30/10/26).
He detailed the main reasons the Nationals opposed the GKNP. He pointed out the flawed carbon credit method used, the flawed science around the impact of selective logging on koalas, and the scaremongering masking the actual numbers of koalas in NSW.
He also pointed out the loss of regional timber industry jobs and the flow-on effect to many associated businesses. Unfortunately, the state government ignored these concerns and legislated the GKNP anyway.
Rather than encouraging regional industries and jobs, Labor decided to appease the Greens and its own members by “effectively killing an industry,” under the guise of protecting koalas from extinction. So much for Labor being the party of the workers!
Without a doubt, fire is the biggest threat to the newly legislated Park. Fire trails, machinery and fire crews all need to be ready in case of an outbreak, something Forestry Corporation excelled at.
Will the GKNP employees have the funds and neighbouring property agreements to conduct hazard reduction burning? Will they maintain fire trails? Will they have fire crews trained and ready? Will they have the heavy machinery ready to go to protect koalas? I guess we will wait and see.
It seems that it’s not OK to selectively log a forest compartment under stringent regulations for much-needed timber products, but it is OK for the state government to authorise and implement the widespread destruction of our landscapes, native habitat and its inhabitants, including countless “endangered” koalas, to install renewables infrastructure in the pursuit of net zero.
There are no protests, vigils or extensive media coverage by so-called conservationists for these unfortunate native animals.They are simply considered collateral damage.
The double standard is breathtaking!
Regards,
Ann Thompson,
Coffs Harbour.
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