On Sunday, the New South Wales Government finally released the proposed boundary for the much-anticipated Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
The park will see existing national park reserves combined with 176,000 hectares of state forest, to create a series of protected areas covering over 475,000 hectares of northern parts of the state.
The goal: protecting koalas and other threatened species from extinction.
And as of Monday, native forest harvesting in the 176,000 hectares of designated state forest within the boundaries has stopped, after a temporary moratorium was put in place. This also stops any new operations from starting in these areas.
However, the GKNP will not end forestry on the North Coast entirely, and this moratorium does not affect operations outside the designated area – or on private land. Timber harvesting will continue in hardwood plantations.
The moratorium will be in place for up to 12 months while the details of transitioning state forests to national parks are investigated and negotiated.
Legislation still needs to be passed by parliament to formally establish the GKNP.
The GKNP represents 21 percent of state forests in the North Coast region of New South Wales – and the protection of this area will have an impact on timber supply.
However, supply from hardwood plantations inside the GKNP boundaries, other state forests and private native forestry will not be impacted. Contracts to supply hardwood sourced from state forests outside the GKNP will continue for roughly 20 mills in the region that are not impacted by the moratorium.
The moratorium will have an impact on six mills in the region (and approximately 300 jobs).
A NSW spokesperson said the six impacted mills have existing timber supply contracts with Forestry Corporation NSW for supply of timber and are private businesses.
Supply to more than 25 other mills will not be impacted.
Where will harvesting continue?
Forestry Corp NSW will be able to remove timber that was felled prior to the commencement of the moratorium.
State forests outside of the Great Koala National Park assessment area, including plantations, will continue to be managed as normal. Within these areas timber harvesting is permitted.
What about the workers?
The NSW Government has committed to JobKeeper-style payments to support impacted timber industry workers while the government negotiates with the affected businesses about their future. During this time, impacted harvest and mill workers will continue to receive their current wage.
As for the business owners, financial assistance to ensure they can continue to pay their workers will be provided.
For those changing jobs
During the transition period, workers and their families will have free access to mental health, financial and legal counselling services, and the NSW Government has confirmed impacted workers will receive education and training payments.
Impacted workers considering alternative employment can access training support and advice through Training Services NSW staff.
“Training Services NSW will be on the ground offering advice on training to bridge skills gaps and helping to identify suitable job opportunities,” a NSW Government spokesperson told the Mid North Coaster.
The Independent Forestry Panel, a NSW Government agency, is continuing to provide advice to the Government to inform the Forestry Industry Action Plan.
Forestry to NPWS
In the future, impacted Forestry Corporation workers will be prioritised for new roles created within NPWS.
“More than 100 new staff will be required at the National Parks and Wildlife Service to deliver enhanced fire management, feral animal and weed control, ecological rehabilitation and visitor management,” a NSW Government spokesperson said.
An additional $60 million in funding has been announced for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to support the establishment of the park. This is in addition to the $80 million announced in 2023.
Further funding
The NSW Government has also committed to developing a $6 million Community Grants package, with a goal of supporting initiatives that grow the region’s tourism opportunities and support local businesses.
The state government said further details about the plan will be announced soon, and it will be developed in consultation with local communities.
A NSW government spokesperson said a new visitor infrastructure, enhanced campgrounds and walking trails are planned and an adventure precinct is also being considered.
“This will ensure the Great Koala National Park delivers economic, tourism and social benefits for the region.”
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This story was originally published in the Mid North Coaster