The Land and Environment Court’s decision to fine NSW Forestry Corporation for destroying koala habitat at Cattle Creek near Coffs Harbour shows Forestry Corporation is woefully unfit for managing our State Forests.
The Great Koala National Park, an initiative of the National Parks Association of NSW, calls for the immediate end to all logging on public native forests in NSW, in light of the court’s decision.
Great Koala National Park campaigner, Paula Flack said “The NSW and Federal Governments have the opportunity right now to cease this unstainable practice and transfer our public state forests into the next generation of national parks.
“NPA’s Great Koala National Park idea for the North Coast could be NSW’s crown jewel of parks — an international drawcard as attractive as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
“Forestry Corporation’s plans to log areas of critical koala habitat in the west and southwest of Coffs Harbour over the coming months are completely ludicrous.
“In light of the court’s decision, we plead with the NSW Government to act quickly before we lose Australia’s iconic koala — and the people of Coffs Harbour lose a vital tourism life string.
“The Great Koala National Park has an opportunity to create 9,800 new jobs for the region. Whereas, the illegal operations of our publicly-owned FC is a waste of taxpayers-money and resources” Ms Paula Flack concluded.
ENDS
Media Contact:
NPA CEO, Gary Dunnett: (02)9299 0000