Momentum is gathering for an end to native forest logging. A 2024 survey showed that 70% of people in NSW support an end to native forest logging on public land, with 69% in support nationally. Ending native forest logging in NSW is no longer a question of if, but when.
Under the Greens' plan, the NSW Government will be able to access $140.4 million of Commonwealth funding per year, for 20 years, contingent on an end to all native forest logging in the state. This funding will go directly towards ecological restoration and ensuring a just transition for communities and workers. The Greens will pay for this plan by making the big corporations pay their fair share of tax.
The Greens will advocate for this funding to contribute to establishing the Great Southern National Park, which will ensure the protection and enjoyment of our forests by all for generations to come. Under this proposal, there is the potential for over 400,000 hectares of state forest to be added to the reserve system once native forest logging ends. Additionally, funding could go towards rehabilitating and restoring our forests, creating sustainable communities and jobs, working with Traditional Owners, supporting sustainable plantations, and increasing disaster resilience and management capability, including remote area firefighting
The proposal for a Great Southern Forest National Park is one that has been coordinated by local community groups and environmental NGOs over a number of years, including the Great Southern Forest NSW organisation and the National Parks Association of NSW.
The Greens will be launching their policy initiative on NSW's South Coast, which suffered immense devastation during the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires and continues to remain in the grip of an ecological crisis, with logging continuing to destroy critical habitats, including those of the endangered greater glider. The fires burned over 1.1 million hectares in the region, with 61% of the affected area experiencing high or very high severity burns-devastating local communities, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Nick McKim, Greens spokesperson for Forests, and Sue Higginson MLC, NSW Greens spokesperson for the Environment, are in Batemans Bay today to announce the Australian Greens' plan to end native forest logging in NSW and create the Great Southern Forest National Park.
As stated by Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens:
"Ending native forest logging once and for all and restoring them is necessary for our environment, climate and community. Logging native forests is not just unsustainable, it's untenable.
"The NSW South Coast forests and communities have been through devastating bushfires and logging continues to destroy the habitat of endangered species like the greater glider. Creating the Great Southern Forest National Park will ensure the protection and restoration of our precious forests and the wildlife within for generations to come. If we don't step up for nature now - the ancient living breathing forests will become graveyards.
"By not ending native forest logging the Federal and NSW Labor governments have failed our environment, climate and communities, all to serve corporate interests over people and the planet.
"Our magnificent forests should be a sanctuary for wildlife like the Greater Gliders, not a sacrifice to industry. Yet, Federal and State Governments have sanctioned native forest logging and stood by and watched the trees fall.
"It is time for the government to stop siding with industry and start protecting our forests, climate, water, and our future."
As stated by Senator Nick McKim, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Forests:
"Our beautiful native forests are worth more standing. They are rich in carbon and biodiversity, and critical in the fight for a safe climate and healthy ecosystems.
"Ending native forest logging is a huge opportunity for the people of NSW, particularly regional communities.
"We can protect nature, take climate action, and create thousands of new, well paid, skilled jobs in firefighting, rewinding and environmental restoration and management."
As stated by Sue Higginson MLC, NSW Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:
"It's past time that native forest logging ended in NSW. It is driving the extinction and climate crises, and our precious forests need to be protected and regenerated.
"Stitching together the unfinished Great Southern Forests is just part of the fantastic project that is protecting and regenerating all native forests in NSW - and the Greens are putting our plan to fund it on the table.
"If the NSW Minns Labor Government wants to recover any of their credibility on the environment and forests, then they should grab this opportunity with both hands."
References
1. Australia Institute (2024) Polling Research: Ending Native Forest Logging Across Australia
2. Eurobodolla Shire Council, Bushfire Recovery
