Logging is planned to continue in Kiwarrak State Forest on the Central Coast despite a unanimously supported motion in the NSW Parliament that noted the ecological values of the area and the community’s proposal to establish a flora reserve. After meeting with the local community, the NSW Department of Primary Industries declared that it would not support establishing a flora reserve and that logging should continue while the proposal is considered further.
Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “The community that loves Kiwarrak and the Koalas that call it home have been betrayed by Premier Minns and the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty,”
“All parties supported a motion in Parliament that noted how incredibly important this area is for threatened species, particularly koalas, and it gave the community hope, but then the Minister for Agriculture has refused to create the proposed flora reserve,”
“Kiwarrak State Forest has received funding for bushfire and habitat repair to ensure the local koala habitat remains interconnected and protected, this decision by the NSW Government will undo this work and will have devastating impact on the natural value of the area,”
“It is unfathomable that the NSW Labor Government has refused to establish a new flora reserve that even the Nationals Party supported. This should have been an easy win for the community and the environment,”
“I met with the community last night and it’s clear they are determined and resolved, they are not giving up. It’s not too late for NSW Labor to step up to this community call and protect our koalas. Is the Premier really going to make another community have to join the frontlines and put their lives on hold and their bodies on the line,”
“We will not accept any more excuses from the failed native forest logging sector. Their loss-making destruction of critical forests is not worth the small cost of buying out remaining wood supply agreements in NSW,”
“It is time for Premier Minns to take responsibility for the protection of native forests in NSW, and insist that native forest logging in NSW come to an end. We cannot afford this Government caving to internal power squabbles between Ministers while native forests continue to fall and koalas are driven closer to extinction,” Ms Higginosn said.
