Logging operations will go ahead in known Koala habitat within Kiwarrak State Forest, near Tinonee and Taree. Despite significant opposition from the local community, approximately 446 hectares of Koala habitat are slated for logging beginning on 3 May, 2024, Wild Koala Day.
The expected revenue from this endeavor is a mere $63,180, a stark contrast to the substantial investments made by both the Federal and NSW Governments to restore native forests damaged by the 2019/20 black summer bushfires.
$64,000 would pay for about half of a Forestry Corporation Protest Compliance Officer, members of a crack branch of Forestry Corp set up to “gather evidence and initiate prosecutions” on protesters. Ironically many of these protesters have been gathering evidence on Forestry Corp’s breaches and failures resulting in multiple fines from the EPA since Black Summer 2019/2020.
Forestry Corp’s moral authority to form a Compliance Unit to prosecute protesters exposing their own dodgy work practices is discussed here.
Forestry Corp is fortunate in that its losses are underwritten by the public purse. $64,000 is less than one tenth the amount that Forestry Corp paid in fines since Black Summer. Many locals are left wondering why they supported political candidates that promised to take action on koalas, endangered animals and native timber forests.The transition is being held up by Forestry Corp and their unions holding onto the gravy train.
Too much destruction for too little return
Sue Higginson emphasizes the financial aspect, stating, “At a cost of $1281 per hectare for logging in the Kiwarrak Koala habitat, the profit margin amounts to approximately $63,180. This operation not only compromises critical habitat and the Koalas it supports but also yields minimal financial returns.”
Highlighting the inconsistency in government actions, Higginson adds, “While the Minns Labor Government pledges to reverse the decline of wild Koalas, their approval of logging activities contradicts this commitment, contributing to the potential extinction of Koalas in their natural habitat.”
She also questions the efficacy of certain initiatives, noting, “Despite substantial investments in Koala hospitals, the Koala Strategy, and tree planting efforts, these measures do not address the core issue—the ongoing destruction of critical Koala habitat.”
Concerns are raised about the timing of the logging, particularly given the recent bushfires. “Just two breeding seasons after the devastating black summer bushfires, it’s disheartening that the remaining Koala habitat in Kiwarrak is being targeted for logging,” expresses Higginson.
Efforts by the community to propose alternative solutions have been made. Higginson explains, “The Kiwarrak community proposed a sensible plan to the Minns Labor Government to designate part of Kiwarrak as a Flora Reserve, safeguarding critical Koala habitat from logging.”
Sue Higginson reflects on the irony of the situation, stating, “It’s tragic that on a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of conserving wild Koalas, the NSW Labor’s Forestry Corporation is set to destroy Koala habitat in Kiwarrak.”
“It will cost NSW Labor’s Forestry Corporation $1281 per hectare for their logging of the Kiwarrak Koala habitat and after costs, this leaves a total profit margin of around $63,180. Not only do their operations destroy critical habitat and the Koalas that depend on them, but they do so at a profit margin so meagre it is barely worth mentioning” Ms Higginson said.
The valuation calculations reveal the discrepancy between the total product value ($703,680) and the cost of logging ($640,500), resulting in a profit of $63,180.
The proposed logging of Kiwarrak forest, which could be preserved for a fraction of a minister’s salary, highlights misplaced priorities. Premier Minns and Minister Tara Moriarty’s apparent undervaluation of Koala extinction is concerning and deserves criticism.
According to Greens MP and environmental spokesperson Sue Higginson, “The NSW Forestry Corporation’s continued destruction of native forests, particularly in light of ongoing efforts to safeguard Koalas, is unacceptable.”
Valuation calculations:
Value of high quality product = $523,680 (6546 T x $80)
Value of low quality product =$180,000 (6000 T x $30)
Total Product Value = $703,680
Average cost of logging per hectare = $1281
Cost of logging 446 hectares in Kiwarrak = $640,500
Total profit of Kiwarrak logging = $63,180 ($703,680 – $640,500)
Wild Koala Day
Wild Koala Day originated in 2016 through collaboration among various independent koala conservation and rehabilitation organizations across Australia. Many of these groups have dedicated years, even decades, to advocating for koala welfare. With firsthand experience, Wild Koala Day group serves as the forefront of koala conservation efforts, engaging directly with local communities on a grassroots level.
“If it wasn’t so absolutely tragic, it would be almost laughable that on the same day we are set to celebrate and draw importance to the need for the conservation of wild Koalas, NSW Labor’s Forestry Corporation have earmarked Kiwarrak wild Koala habitat for destruction,” Sue Higginson, Greens MP said.
In a disheartening development, the decision to proceed with logging in Kiwarrak State Forest on the Mid-North Coast, NSW, persists despite widespread backing for the creation of a flora reserve. This determination follows a recent motion in the NSW Parliament, which received unanimous support, recognizing the ecological importance of the region and endorsing the community’s plea for a reserve.
Despite concerted efforts and impassioned pleas from local residents, the NSW Department of Primary Industries has taken a surprising stance against the establishment of a flora reserve. Instead, they are adamant about continuing logging operations while the proposal undergoes evaluation, a move that has left many shocked and dismayed.
Government efforts just beginning to save the koala
The Minns Labor Government’s promise to reverse the decline of wild Koalas is overshadowed by their approval of new logging ventures in areas vital to their survival. Despite significant investments in Koala hospitals, strategy updates, and tree planting, these initiatives fail to address the root cause: the continued destruction of essential Koala habitats. Rather than preventing the extinction of Koalas in the wild, these efforts serve as distractions from the urgent issue of ongoing logging in our native forests.
Your humble scribe is a local to Kiwarrak who has seen koalas climb the trees in front my slab hut at Tinonee and saw the destruction of the Black Summer bushfires. I cannot see the value in destroying the local habitat forest for $63,000 at the best of times, but for the loggers to more in so soon after the fires is strange. It seems almost vindictive to harvest this forest so close to town. The Kiwarrak community’s united proposal for a Flora Reserve demonstrates a practical solution to safeguard critical Koala habitats from logging.
In the first few months of 2024, Forestry Corp has closed Sheas Nob State Forest ° Olney State Forest ° Tarkeeth State Forest ° Tuckers Nob State Forest ° Riamukka State Forest ° Mistake State Forest ° Yarratt State Forest ° Newry State Forest ° Orara East State Forest ° Tamban State Forest.
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Sue Higginson quotes:
Planned logging in critical Koala habitat in Kiwarrak State Forest near Taree is set to commence this Friday 3 May to coincide with Wild Koala Day. The logging of 446 hectares of Koala habitat will occur despite intense community opposition and will barely generate $63,180 from the destruction of native forests that have been the subject of huge investment from the Federal and NSW Governments to repair damage caused by the 2019/20 black summer bushfires.
Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “The NSW Forestry Corporation can not and should not be allowed to continue this outrageous destruction of native forests, especially considering the investment that is occurring to protect Koalas,”
“The Minns Labor Government has promised to reverse the extinction trajectory of Koalas in the wild, but they are also actively contributing to this unthinkable future by continuing to open new extinction logging in areas that should be protected,”
“While NSW Labor is funnelling tens of millions of dollars into building Koala hospitals, updating the Koala Strategy and planting seedlings, they are missing the real and serious point. Absolutely none of this will prevent the extinction of Koalas in the wild. These strategies represent nothing more than a distraction from the real issue at hand – the continued logging of critical koala habitat in our native forests,”
“The figures are staggering and the devastation is a disgrace when put in perspective. Kiwarrak could be saved for a fraction of a Minister’s annual salary. The proposed destruction of our precious native forests, NSW Labor could not even buy a mid-range Tesla, let alone a modest suburban home in Taree. Is this really the price of extinction?”
“The Koalas in Kiwarrak barely survived the black summer bushfires of 2019/2020. Just two breeding seasons later NSW Labor deems it appropriate to plunder the critical habitat that is left. The extraordinarily low price Premier Minns and Minister Tara Moriarty are slapping on the extinction of our iconic Koalas is an utter disgrace and must be called out,”
”The Kiwarrak community rallied together and put a very reasonable and modest proposal to the Minns Labor Government to create a Flora Reserve over part of Kiwarrak which would see critical Koala habitat protected from logging.”
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