The North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) of New South Wales wants Premier Barry O’Farrell to rule out any logging in National Parks, ever. The Forest Products Association, representing saw-millers in the region’s forests wants a million hectares of new reserves opened to logging. Source: ABC News
NEFA spokeswoman Susie Russell said it includes old growth forest and some of the state’s most iconic national parks. She said if not ruled out, the proposal will leave the government with a legacy of environmental wreckage.
“The Premier Barry O’Farrell has refused so far to rule out logging in national parks,” she said. “Where previous premiers have been recognised for their legacy of forest protection, Barry O’Farrell is in serious danger of being recognised for a legacy of opening up world heritage forests for destruction.”
Russell said logging in two areas in particular would be disastrous for koala populations.
“Bongil Bongil National Park which is just south of Coffs Harbour a really important park precisely because it does play such an important part in providing habitat for one of the few strong koala populations left,” she said.
“Queens Lake State Conservation Area near Port Macquarie, again another area with important conservation values including for the koala.”
