UPDATE: The NSW Government has just announced the outline of the Great Koala National Park, marking a significant step toward protecting critical koala habitats. The proposed park will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest, expanding to a total of 476,000 hectares when connected with existing national parks. This move aims to safeguard over 12,000 koalas in northern New South Wales, but critics warn it could devastate the local timber industry.
Starting Monday, timber harvesting within the proposed boundaries will pause, affecting 300 jobs across six out of 25 timber mills in the region. Premier Chris Minns emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Koalas are at risk of extinction in NSW,” and that this initiative seeks to reverse that “unthinkable” trajectory.
Despite the environmental intentions, the announcement has ignited fierce backlash from industry leaders. Dugald Saunders, leader of the NSW Nationals, described the initiative as a “crushing blow” to families and businesses reliant on timber. He stressed that the decision could lead to widespread job losses and ripple effects across industries such as construction and energy.
Opposition spokesman Gurmesh Singh criticized the government for ignoring a “more manageable” proposal of 37,000 hectares for the park, arguing it will exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis for local communities. “This decision will hurt our communities… ripping out valuable jobs that allow people to put food on the table,” Singh asserted.
In response to these concerns, Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty assured that the government is committed to a sustainable forestry industry. She highlighted that financial assistance will be available for affected businesses to help them maintain staff salaries and operational costs. Additionally, workers and their families will have access to mental health, financial, and legal counseling services.
The establishment of the park will receive a boost with an additional $60 million in funding from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, following an $80 million investment in 2023. The federal government is also reviewing whether the park could generate carbon credits, which may influence the final approval of the project.
Conservation groups have long criticized delays in declaring this essential habitat, which was promised by the government to be established by the end of its first term in 2027.
“Really important areas of the proposed new national park are being logged… effectively destroyed forever,”
warned Bob Debus, chair of Wilderness Australia.
However, support for the government’s approach has emerged from the Australian Workers Union, with secretary Tony Callinan suggesting that a balance between koala conservation and a viable timber industry is achievable. “We can have sufficient forestry area for koalas to prosper and we can have a viable, responsible timber industry,” he stated.
As the situation develops, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the impacts of this significant policy shift. The pause in timber harvesting is set to begin immediately, and the community’s reaction will likely shape discussions in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent matter affecting both wildlife and livelihoods in New South Wales.
