The admission by Forestry Corporation NSW to the illegal felling vital koala habitat trees is the latest in an ongoing, and sometimes violent, saga in the battle for Wild Cattle Creek State Forest, near Coffs Harbour.
FCNSW’s admission of guilt came just before the matter went to a court where their activities would be discussed in detail.
The saga began almost four years ago when three hollow-bearing trees, essential habitat trees for endangered koalas and other vulnerable species, were illegally felled within Wild Cattle Creek State Forest by FCNSW.
Forestry Corp’s recent offence adds another layer to the complex narrative unfolding in Wild Cattle Creek. FCNSW’s confession sheds light on its actions, which have long been scrutinized by conservationists and environmental advocates.
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Not the first time Forestry Corp caught out
But this is not the first chapter in the forest’s story of conflict. Previous incidents, including tree felling within koala exclusion zones and assaults on community members by forestry workers, have cast a shadow over Forestry Corp’s reputation to effectively manage the state forests.
The Land and Environment Court’s ruling, convicting FCNSW of breaching environmental regulations and imposing hefty fines, serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in balancing economic interests with ecological preservation.
As the battle for Wild Cattle Creek rages on, it becomes increasingly clear that the fate of this forest is intertwined with larger debates surrounding land use and conservation. The destruction of vital habitat trees is not just a local issue but a symptom of broader tensions between progress and sustainability.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, there is hope. The admission of guilt by the Forestry Corporation marks a step towards accountability and a recognition of the forest’s intrinsic value. It serves as a rallying cry for those committed to protecting our natural heritage and ensuring a future where forests like Wild Cattle Creek thrive.
In the end, the battle for Wild Cattle Creek is not just about trees or wildlife; it’s about the soul of our relationship with the environment. It’s a call to action, urging us to stand together in defense of our planet’s precious ecosystems before it’s too late.
Forestry Corp found guilty & fined
On 16 June 2022, Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) was ordered to pay fines and costs totaling over a quarter of a million dollars following a ruling by the Land and Environment Court that it felled koala habitat trees within koala exclusion zones near Coffs Harbour.
FCNSW admitted guilt to four charges filed by the EPA in the Land and Environment Court. In total, fines and costs amounting to $285,600 are to be paid.
The charges against FCNSW stemmed from work conducted in a koala exclusion zone within Wild Cattle Creek State Forest back in 2018.
Among the charges, two were for felling trees in protected rainforest areas, a third for felling trees within an exclusion zone around warm temperate rainforest, and the fourth for various forestry activities, including the felling of four trees.
The Land and Environment Court handed down a fine of $135,600 and mandated FCNSW to cover the EPA’s legal and investigation costs, totaling $150,000.
Wild Cattle Creek foresters guilty of assault
In a separate incident, which unfolded on 25 June 2020 in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest, two forestry workers were found guilty of assaulting two members of the community on a public road.
Michael Vitali and Rodney Hearfield, both contractors for logging company Grafton-based Greensill Bros, were convicted of assaulting local ecologist Mark Graham and his friend, Andre Johnston.
The assaults were captured on video by Forestry Corporation Officer Karen Morrow. Vitali and Hearfield were employed by logging company Greensill Bros, which was contracted by the NSW Forestry Corporation at the time of the incidents.
Following the assaults on Mr Graham and Mr Johnston, neither of the forestry workers faced immediate charges. Instead, one of the victims was unfairly targeted and charged by the Coffs Harbour Police.
The incident, and the ridiculous events leading up to the assaults was covered by FriendlyJordies: Ecologist Charged With Intimidation After 2-Year Long Legal Battle with Forestry Contractors.
Sergeant Goddard, who handled the matter, attempted to withhold the video footage of the assaults from the victims and the public. Sergeant Goddard is no longer employed as a police officer.
2020 protester arrests
Neville Kirk, an Indigenous man, and Maddie Stephenson faced charges in 7 Oct 2020, after chaining themselves to logging machinery during a protest held in June at Wild Cattle Creek State Forest, an untouched area adjacent to fire-damaged land on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Sue Higginson, a prominent environmental lawyer, former head of the NSW Environmental Defenders Office, who now serves as a Greens MP, represented the pair in Coffs Harbour Local Court.
She informed the court that the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) had issued a Stop Work Order to the Forestry Corporation’s operations at the forest shortly after the protest.
Ms. Higginson presented evidence from the EPA indicating that the location of the protest was one of the areas where the Forestry Corporation had violated logging regulations by cutting down large trees.
During sentencing, Magistrate David O’Neil expressed sympathy for Ms. Stephenson’s aim to raise awareness about the negative effects that logging has on endangered wildlife and climate change, which he acknowledged were urgent issues. However, he emphasized the importance of adhering to the law when protesting.
Ms. Stephenson received an 18-month conditional release order without a conviction. Mr. Kirk was convicted and fined $750, saying “If it comes up again, I will do it for my country and my ancestors”.
History of logging and logging protests
Wild Cattle Creek has a long and complicated history of logging and logging protests, dating back to 1992. Wild Cattle Creek Action Group blockades of logging with tripods is also mentioned in this excellent history of logging protests in Australia.
Aidan Ricketts is a faculty member in the School of Law and Justice at Southern Cross University. Prior to his academic career, Aidan served as a coordinator for the North East Forest Alliance from 1991 to 1995. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the negotiations that ultimately resulted in the creation of The Forest Protest Protocol: an outbreak of participatory democracy: An historic agreement between police and environmental protesters in NSW.
This document also covers the protests at Wild Cattle Creek: UNE, Forest Blockades 1984-1995 (pdf).
Above graphic from UNE, Forest Blockades 1984-1995 (pdf).
Press clippings from 1995 logging protests at Wild Cattle Creek
What are they fighting for?
As an experiment, we ran a wildlife report from Wild Cattle Creek through ChatGTP, and this is the result, only barely edited by a human:
Nestled within the serene expanse of Wild Cattle Creek State Forest (WCCSF) lies a treasure trove of biodiversity, boasting some of the most vital habitats for Australia’s iconic wildlife.
However, beneath the tranquil facade, a grim reality unfolds as industrial logging operations wreak havoc on this ecological haven, jeopardizing the existence of numerous threatened species.
Koalas, the beloved emblem of Australian wildlife, have borne the brunt of these destructive practices. Once thriving within the lush canopies of WCCSF, their populations now dwindle as their habitats diminish. But the plight extends far beyond these cuddly marsupials.
Hollow-dependent creatures, such as the Southern Greater Glider and the Glossy Black Cockatoo, face an uncertain future as their homes vanish under the logger’s blade. The echoes of the forest, once filled with the calls of various frog species, now grow faint as their habitats are despoiled.
Gondwanan rainforests, ancient and irreplaceable, stand as bastions of biodiversity within WCCSF. Yet, their integrity is compromised as logging operations encroach upon their domain. These forests, with their rich tapestry of life, are not merely casualties of progress but keystones in the intricate web of nature.
The consequences reverberate beyond the forest floor, extending into the realm of aquatic life. Streams once teeming with vitality now bear the burden of sediment contamination, threatening the survival of aquatic species like the Eastern Freshwater Cod.
The toll of industrial logging is not just environmental but existential. Species like the Long-nosed Potoroo and the Eastern Planigale, already teetering on the brink of extinction, find their last refuges imperiled by human activity.
As we reflect on the damage wrought upon WCCSF, we must heed the urgent call for action. The time to protect these invaluable ecosystems and the creatures that call them home is now.
Through concerted conservation efforts and sustainable land management practices, we can safeguard the future of Wild Cattle Creek State Forest and preserve its irreplaceable biodiversity for generations to come.
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