Clarence Valley Council delays decision on whether to phase out native forest logging on public land

A North Coast logging industry boss has responded to calls to phase out native forest operations, which campaigners say is driving rare species to extinction.

Logging in the Clarence is a hot topic. ​

Calls to phase out native forest logging on public land have been met with fierce opposition by “irate” Clarence loggers.

Rod Henson, the director of Henson Sawmilling at Mountain View, just outside of Grafton, said logging in the area has been ongoing for generations.

“It’s a perfectly 100 per cent sustainable industry and we operate under very strict guidelines,” he said.

Rod Henson, the director of Henson Sawmill, says phasing out logging would result in job losses in the Clarence.

The contentious issue was raised in front of a packed public gallery at last week’s Clarence Valley Council meeting, with community members stressing the need for an immediate ban.

Similar resolutions have already been adopted by Bellingen, Mid Coast and Eurobodalla councils.

The Clarence push comes as protests about logging are raging across northern NSW.

On Wednesday, police officers arrested six people — include HSC students and women aged in their 70s — for allegedly ‘locking on’ to heavy machinery and a cement-filled barrel in a bid to prevent logging operations in Orara East State Forest and Boambee State Forest.

Loggers and those who work in the industry have raised concerns about how cracking down on the industry could affect their livelihoods.

Mr Henson said loggers were “irate”.

“The timber industry in the Clarence Valley has been happening for generation after generation so why stop us,” he said.

“We are creating a lot of employment for people … there are jobs on the line.

“And I just can’t understand why we want to keep shutting down industries time and time again, just to appease a few greens.”

Mr Henson’s company employs almost 40 people alone.

He said the jobs would be at risk if the council proceed with the motion to phase out logging, as well as jobs in sectors dependant on his business.

North East Forest Alliance members Dailan Pugh, John Corkill and Susie Russell. Picture: Gemima Harvey.

But long-time campaigner and North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) spokeswoman Susie Russell said job losses from “a transition out of native forest (logging)” could be mitigated with proper measures.

She said logging on private land was still an option.

“ … whenever there has been a structural adjustment, where government has stepped in to see forests protected, there have been generous packages to workers,” she said.

Ms Russell pointed to support and retraining packages announced by both the Victorian and Western Australian governments.

Ms Russell likened the logging debate to those about whaling.

“There comes a time when we need to recognise that what we are doing is damaging ecosystems and driving species to extinctions,” she said

“And what’s happening in North Coast forests is we now have a critical shortage of trees with hollows — what that means is the 174 species of animals that depend on tree hollows have nowhere to live.”

NEFA president Dailan Pugh said urgent action was needed.

“We are in the midst of extinction and climate emergencies, and the most immediate and effective action we can take to redress both is to protect our public native forests,” he said.

“Over the past few decades it has been alarming to witness the decline of an array of once common species in our local forests, such as koalas, great gliders, yellow-bellied gliders and glossy black cockatoos, to the status of now being classified as in danger of extinction.

“Over the same time, logging has intensified, hollow-bearing trees and mature nectar feed trees declined, while lantana and dieback have spread.”

Councillor Debrah Novak.

Councillor Debrah Novak moved a council resolution to delay the council debate until October.

The council has invited feedback from industry groups including the NSW Forestry Corporation, Big River Timbers, Koppers Australia, Coffs Harbour Hardwood, and the wider Clarence community.

All councillors except for councillor Karen Toms voted in support of deferring the debate.