2024-08-23
The peak body for NSW native forests has called for Premier Chris Minns to consult with them on a clear strategy to exit native forest logging in this term of Government. The Forest Alliance NSW has informed the Government that they expect to be consulted on the soon to be announced future of forests plan. Their 5 demands include a roadmap for the end of native forest logging, an industry transition plan, and inclusion of forest ecology experts on any formal advisory panel.
Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “The environment and forest movement in NSW is united behind the calls for an urgent end to native forest logging in NSW, and the Forest Alliance has laid out our expectations in this statement,”
“We expect that the Government will be announcing their promised roadmap for forests and forestry in the coming weeks, but we will not accept an industry led process that continues the destruction of native forests. Our forests simply cannot afford for logging to continue past this term of Government,”
“There is a genuine concern that the Minns Labor Government is planning to continue the unprofitable and extinction-driving logging of our public native forests, making them more susceptible to intense fire, while attempting to greenwash the practice - just like the former Coalition Government,”
“The high profile logging of threatened species, including the Greater Glider and Koala, is costing the people of NSW a future that has healthy forests and access to iconic and critical forest dependent species. The Forestry Corporation has proved themselves to be bad faith and untrustworthy custodians of natural heritage, and so-called ‘sustainable’ native forest logging a sick joke that costs us millions of dollars every year,”
“There must be an interim plan for communities to apply for an exemption from logging for critical native forests, to ensure that the Forestry Corporation cannot double down on logging in areas that are the last foothold for biodiversity. The logging within the Great Koala National Park, and forests like the proposed Kiwarrak Flora Reserve show that the rogue Forestry Corporation will not stop their destruction without immediate Government intervention,” Ms Higginson said.