Loggers take a chainsaw to Great Koala National Park idea

The Debate Over the Great Koala National Park: A Fight for Koalas and Forests

The proposed Great Koala National Park (GKNP) aims to preserve 176,000 hectares of state forests, augmenting 135,000 hectares of existing national parks to safeguard vital habitats. This combined area would support 20% of NSW’s koalas, a species whose survival faces dire threats.

Surveys indicate that over 12,111 koalas currently inhabit the region, thriving particularly in the coastal forests and the Dorrigo Plateau. The total koala population in NSW, Queensland, and the ACT, with a combined landmass of 2,533,250 square kilometers, is estimated between 95,000 and 238,000.

GKNP’s 176,000 hectares is approximately 0.0695% of the landmass of NSW, ACT and Queensland, but accounts for 20% of the total koala population. These figures underscore the GKNP’s critical role in the species’ survival.

Koalas suffered significant losses during the 2020 Black Summer bushfires, with at least 5,000 deaths recorded. A subsequent parliamentary inquiry projected that koalas would be extinct in the wild by 2050 unless urgent measures are taken to curb habitat loss.

Timber Industry Lobbying to Reduce GKNP to Maximise Their Business

The timber industry is lobbying the GKNP government panel for a greatly reduced footprint for the park, proposing options ranging from 37,000 hectares to 58,000 hectares, considerably less than the 176,000 hectares on the table.

They argue that these smaller areas could focus on the highest populations of koalas and greater gliders while preserving the northeast’s wood supply.

Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) serves as the industry voice. They claim financial costs of these proposals vary, with the smaller park estimated at $273 million and the larger option at $410 million, supporting 440 and 660 jobs, respectively.

The industry’s analysis estimates establishment costs for the GKNP at $1.36 billion over five years.

This figure includes $450 million for transitioning 2,200 forestry workers, based on Victoria’s cessation of native timber harvesting. Unions have secured substantial payouts for loggers, who would continue to work in plantation timber and farm forestry regardless of the size of the GKNP. $80 million in state funds has been earmarked for the park’s establishment.

Additional costs of $709 million would cover terminating wood supply contracts and establishing new plantations. Economists would argue that any cost of establishing new plantations and contracts would be recouped when the timber is sold. It is disingenuous to argue that these costs should prevent the establishment of the GKNP or as an argument against transitioning the timber industry to a more sustainable practice.

Environmental and Economic Perspectives

The North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) and other conservation groups dispute the timber industry’s claims.

Dailan Pugh of NEFA highlights the immense ecological and generational value of the GKNP, stating: “You can’t put a price on the next generation being able to see a koala in the wild.” NEFA contends that the logging industry has exaggerated its economic importance while downplaying its environmental impact.

A 2021 University of Newcastle study commissioned by local councils found that establishing the GKNP could generate $1.18 billion in increased tourism output and create 9,135 jobs over 15 years, more than compensating for logging job losses.

Similarly, the Blueprint Institute’s 2023 assessment concluded that transitioning away from native forest logging across northeast NSW would cost $215 million—a fraction of the industry’s claims.

Justin Field, former NSW MP and current Forest Alliance NSW advocate, emphasizes the urgency of action: “Koala numbers have declined over 50% in the last two decades. The GKNP represents a bold plan to reverse this trend and secure a legacy of environmental conservation.”

The Human and Environmental Cost

The debate over the GKNP is not merely an economic or industrial issue. At its heart lies the survival of a species emblematic of Australia’s natural heritage. Koalas, greater gliders, and countless other species rely on the state forests for food, shelter, and breeding. Habitat loss—driven by logging and urban development—remains their greatest threat.

The GKNP’s establishment represents more than a conservation milestone. It is a moral imperative to halt the trajectory toward extinction and ensure that future generations inherit a landscape teeming with biodiversity. Beyond the ecological benefits, the park offers significant economic opportunities through tourism, research, and eco-friendly initiatives.

Forestry Corporation is Government “Funded” not “Subsidised”

Forestry Corporation is a state-owned corporation. Their spokesman said: “Native forestry is not subsidised by taxpayers. Forestry Corporation is a land manager appointed to manage almost 2 million hectares of public native forests on behalf of the State, and harvests around one per cent of this area each year.”

“Land management services are only partly government funded and are subsidised by timber revenue. Last financial year, Forestry Corporation’s investment in land management exceeded the government funding received by approximately $23 million,” FCNSW said.

The Way Forward

Balancing economic interests with environmental responsibility is no small task. However, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the GKNP’s creation as a long-term investment in Australia’s natural and economic future. The NSW Government must finalize its evidence-based assessment and define the park’s boundaries, prioritizing areas with the highest conservation value.

Forestry Corporation’s operations must also be scrutinized to ensure compliance with environmental standards. If the industry is to transition to plantation forestry, adequate support and resources should be provided—but not at the expense of overstating costs or undermining public trust.

GKNP Logging Intensity Analysis

While the debate about the size and boundaries continues, Forestry Corporation’s own maps reveal that more than half of the 20 active logging operations in Northern NSW are within the proposed GKNP footprint, despite the park accounting for only one-fifth of the region’s state forests. Moreover, this table from the Forest Alliance NSW shows that logging rates within the park’s boundaries are reportedly three times higher than elsewhere in the north.

Data from Forestry Corporation Plan Portal as at 27 June 2024

Great Koala National Park is not just a proposal

This debate is about more than timber or tourism; it is about safeguarding the essence of Australia’s identity. The GKNP offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect a vital ecosystem and prevent the tragic loss of koalas in the wild. By prioritizing the voices of the voiceless—the koalas and their forest companions—we can ensure a legacy of conservation, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.

The stakes are high, and time is short. The koalas’ survival depends on bold action and collective commitment to preserving their habitat. The Great Koala National Park is not just a proposal; it is a promise to future generations that Australia values and protects its natural heritage.

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