NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for the Environment, Sue Higginson, joined more than 70 people who gathered at Tuckers Nob State Forest near Gleniffer to demand an immediate halt to logging and protection of the forest’s cultural and environmental values.
The vigil was held by Gumbaynggirr Elders and local forest defenders as areas of Tuckers Nob State Forest are about to be harvested.
The areas are classified as hardwood plantations but protesters say there is evidence of significant koala habitat and Gumbaynggirr Traditional Custodians are opposed on cultural grounds.
Senior Gumbaynggirr Lore Woman Aunty Alison Buchanan has sought emergency Commonwealth protection for the forest’s cultural heritage, together with other Elders, including Uncle Gary Williams and Uncle Alan Phillips.
They have raised concerns about the protection of culturally significant Country, including the Yildaan Dreaming landscape, and the failure to properly consult Traditional Custodians.
“Our dreaming tracks, sacred sites, songlines, dreaming stories, yams, the Dungirr koalas and animals, pristine waters are in these forests, occupied on Gumbaynggirr country for thousands of years,” Aunty Alison Buchanan said.
“We are working with the Federal Government and expect their help to protect Culture and Country from exploitation.”
Ms Higginson said: “The community have fought for decades to protect these forests, and just weeks after the Great Koala National Park legislation passed, we are back in the forest defending Country and wildlife from logging that should have ended years ago.
“Aunty Alison and the Gumbaynggirr Elders have raised serious concerns about the cultural significance of Tuckers Nob and the threat posed by logging.
“These are living cultural landscapes and the Government cannot continue to disregard the people who have cared for this Country for thousands of years.
“We know these forests are home to koalas, greater gliders, yellow bellied gliders, powerful owls, and many other threatened species.
“The Government’s decision to exclude areas classified as hardwood plantations from the Great Koala National Park has left important habitat and wildlife corridors exposed to destruction.
“The Greens fought to protect the Forest Bridge when the Great Koala National Park legislation passed Parliament, but the Government refused to support those amendments.
“Now local communities of Coffs, Bellingen and further afield are fighting to defend these precious forests again.”
By Andrew VIVIAN
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