NPA NSW is concerned that Forestry Corporation is fast tracking plans to clear-fell some of NSW’s most important koala habitat in the Coffs Harbour-North Bellingen region.
‘We are calling on the shareholder ministers of the Forestry Corporation, the Minister for Agriculture and the Treasurer, to immediately suspend planned clear felling operations in Pine Creek and Tuckers Nob State Forests, said NPA President Dr Grahame Douglas.
‘The plans disclosed on the Forestry Corporation plan portal would destroy an essential ‘bridge ‘or corridor of koala habitat connecting nationally significant koala populations in Bindarri and Bongil Bongil National Parks.
‘We are calling on the Minister for Agriculture and the Treasurer to direct Forestry Corporation to cease all logging activities in the state forests within the proposed Great Koala National Park, especially those affecting the regionally critical habitat corridors through Pine Creek and Tuckers Nob.
‘While NPA welcomes recent announcements by both the NSW and Commonwealth governments to purchase or improve the management of koala habitat on private lands, no government can pretend to be serious about saving koalas if it allows this destruction in Pine Creek and Tuckers Nob to continue’.
‘Also of concern, the Forestry Corporation plans to clear-fell koala habitat in Pine Creek and Tuckers Nob State Forests are relying upon inappropriately classifications, which classify fully functional native forest as plantation’ concluded Dr Douglas.
ENDS
Media Contacts: (02) 9299 0000
Dr Grahame Douglas President NPA NSW and Coffs Coast Branch
Danielle Ryan NPA Conservation Campaigner
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