The Great Southern Forest proposal stretches across a 100 kilometre wide corridor from the Illawarra region to the Victorian border. It is made up of 55 State Forests, 24 Flora Reserves and 98 National Parks and Wildlife Service managed reserves. No private land is included in the proposal.
Resources
- Download the full GSF Proposal
- Download the 8 page GSF booklet
- Download a map of the area
- Myths and Facts
Protect Your Patch
The Great Southern Forest is a big vision, but its real heart is found in the smaller, local patches that people love. All across the region, communities are stepping up to look after the patches of forest that matter most to them.
Is there a patch of forest that is special to you?
Add your story alongside other special places both inside the Great Southern Forest and across the state. It’s a way to show off the places we love and the local groups working together to protect them.
A Once in a Generation Opportunity
The Great Southern Forest proposal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect forests, wildlife, rivers, and cultural areas that are deeply significant to Aboriginal communities in southern NSW.
The proposal would help the region cope with growing pressure from climate change, development, severe bushfires and the ongoing loss of plants and animals, helping nature recover and remain resilient into the future.
To make this happen, native forest logging would end in nearby State Forests. These forests would be added to existing national parks to create one large, connected reserve of almost 1.2 million hectares.
Open forests for everyone to enjoy!
Protecting our forests would unlock a wealth of new recreational opportunities while enhancing existing activities such as mountain biking, camping, fishing, horse riding, and bushwalking. Furthermore, designating forest areas near townships as Regional Parks could broaden community access, allowing for a wider range of uses, including dog walking.
The proposal recognises the deep connection First Nations people have with these landscapes. It supports ongoing pathways to work together to care for Country, share knowledge and explore future management opportunities.
These forests would continue to support local economies by creating jobs, business opportunities and natural places for people to visit and enjoy.
Islands of Protection
Many of our favourite existing national parks and protected areas are like islands in a sea. This can stop wildlife from moving freely around large areas and is a leading cause of decline for many species, especially when a natural disaster like a bushfire hits.
Adding these State Forests to existing protected areas will create a green highway that lets wildlife travel safely from the Illawarra region all the way to Victoria.
Securing a Resilient Future
Even though parts of the Southern Forests are already protected, many of our most important habitats are still in areas where logging is allowed. These forests are being cleared mainly for woodchips.
Right now, a mix of industrial logging, invasive pests, and climate impacts is causing local wildlife to disappear.
Logging destroys tree hollows, which are needed as homes for 174 different species. It also releases stored carbon and makes bushfires more dangerous. By stopping native forest logging and creating the Great Southern Forest, we can help nature recover.
Permanently protecting these forests would support land management partnerships between First Nations, government, and local communities. It will also help fight climate change and create more jobs in tourism and outdoor recreation.
Proof in the numbers! NSW National Parks had 65.5 million visitors in 2024-25 and bring in well over $19 billion to regional towns every year!
Our Most At-Risk Forests
Protecting Rare Ecosystems: State forests house over 10,000 hectares of endangered habitat known as threatened ecological communities. These areas contain a variety of unique plants and animals which we risk losing forever if they are not given adequate protection.
Widespread Conservation: The proposal covers 55 different state forests that are currently subject to logging, many of which contain a high density of threatened species.
Preserving Ancient Trees: Our most ancient forests, known as old-growth, are vital for protecting wildlife, especially animals like gliders, parrots, and large forest owls that rely on tree hollows for homes. The Great Southern Forest would protect our old-growth forests, ensuring these ancient trees remain standing.
Protecting Threatened Species
Hotspots for threatened Plants: The Great Southern Forest would protect a variety of plants and provide a lifeline for 12 unique species found almost nowhere else on Earth. Without adequate protection, they could face extinction.
A Sanctuary for Threatened animals: These forests provide a vital safety net for a diverse range of wildlife, including critically endangered species like the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater. By securing these habitats, the plan ensures that 61 at-risk animal species have the space they need to survive.
From treetops to creekbeds: The proposal would protect roughly 75% of the habitat for Greater Gliders and Yellow-bellied Gliders and over 90% of known local locations of Southern Brown Bandicoot, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Southern Long-nosed Potoroo, and White-footed Dunnart. This protection extends to the waterways, benefiting iconic species such as the Platypus and Watson’s Tree Frog.
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