Proposed Great Koala National Park boundary stops mid north coast timber logging

The long-touted Great Koala National Park designed to guard 1000’s of native and threatened species on the state’s mid north coast is one step nearer.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has in the present day introduced the proposed boundary of what may change into the state’s largest nationwide park at 476,000 hectares.

It will run inland of Coffs Harbour, going south right down to Kempsey and as far north as Grafton, and is residence to greater than 12,000 koalas in addition to 100 threatened species, together with higher gliders.

More than 175,000 hectares of state forest might be added to the present reserves within the space.

“We also want this to become an iconic tourism destination that people locally and from overseas will want to visit,” Ms Sharpe mentioned. 

The park was one of many commitments taken to the 2023 state election by Premier Chris Minns and Ms Sharpe mentioned it might be formally gazetted subsequent 12 months. 

“There’s been a comprehensive assessment over the past two years looking at all the impacts,” she mentioned. 

NSW National Parks Association Coffs Harbour department president Grahame Douglas has welcomed progress to the nationwide park and mentioned it might present a major increase to conservation efforts. 

Timber trade affected 

For the ultimate levels of The Great Koala National Park to progress, Ms Sharpe mentioned a short lived halt to timber logging throughout the proposed boundary would take impact from Monday, however harvesting in plantations would proceed. 

She mentioned the moratorium would impression six out of about 25 native timber mills, roughly 300 staff, and will lead to some everlasting closures sooner or later.

“The importance is that we know there is an impact and for some people that will be really difficult,” Ms Sharpe mentioned. 

The NSW Forestry Corporation mentioned there could be no quick standdowns and employees could be prioritised for brand spanking new roles within the NPWS. 

NSW Nationals chief Dugald Saunders has criticised the moratorium and mentioned it was the incorrect transfer. 

“You can still do a Great Koala National Park, you just need to make sure some of those high-quality production areas are maintained and you can still have the corridors necessary to protect our local fauna,” he mentioned.

“It’s not about one thing or the other.” 

 

The state authorities mentioned all affected companies had been consulted and monetary compensation could be obtainable. 

But Mr Saunders mentioned the flow-on results could be large.

“All of the truck drivers, all of the people who look after the truck drivers. All of the people and businesses who provide the certainty of the timber industry.” 

Aboriginal rangers to be employed

Dedicated Aboriginal rangers might be employed via Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to work on cultural heritage throughout the park. 

The park is a major cultural panorama for the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti peoples. 

It will present new alternatives for the Aboriginal neighborhood to proceed to handle and care for his or her nation. 

NSW Nature Conservation Council chief govt Jacqui Mumford mentioned prioritising First Nations data and administration was crucial to defending nation. 

The NSW authorities mentioned an anticipated oblique financial surplus from visitation to The Great Koala National Park was estimated at greater than $160 million over the subsequent twenty years, producing 85,000 further customer nights per 12 months.