‘No will to protect koalas’: EPA urged to investigate claimed ‘illegal logging’ of Orara East State Forest koala habitat
Forestry Corporation of NSW has denied allegations made by environmentalists of illegal logging in a northern NSW koala habitat, with the EPA now involved. Here’s the latest.
Regional News
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As police and protesters converged at a logging site known as Compartment 22 of the Orara East State Forest earlier this week, a complaint alleging “illegal logging” was sent to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) calling for an immediate stop work order.
But the Forestry Corporation of NSW has responded with a counterclaim they “are retaining more trees than required”.
The week so far: protest dispersed, counterclaims and an on site inspection imminent
The week began with police attending the logging site at Links Rd, Bucca on Tuesday morning following reports of an unauthorised protest, but no one was arrested or charged.
At the same time, a report and complaint to the EPA, seen by the Coffs Coast Advocate, claims Forestry Corporation has been acting illegally in the area which covers 11 hectares.
Co-author of the complaint, North East Forest Alliance’s Dailan Pugh said they “want some urgent action on behalf of the EPA to investigate the matter and to stop work until they sort it out”.
The report states a field sample of Compartment 22 lacks adherence to the law.
Despite the legal requirement to protect 110 koala trees per 11 hectares, the report states only 27 per cent of koala feed trees were recorded in the compartment as marked protection breaching the regulations in the The Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (CIFOA).
“The EPA say they are keeping an eye on logging in the proposed Great Koala National Park yet this is happening under their noses.”
There’s no adequate enforcement and no will to protect koala habitat as they are legally required to,” Mr Pugh said.
However, the claim has been denied by a Forestry Corporation of NSW spokesperson, who said the organisation carefully plans sustainable timber harvesting in line with the CIFOA.
“In this operation, we have searched the area and identified trees meeting the requirements as suitable primary and secondary browse tree species and are retaining more trees than we are required to under the CIFOA,” they wrote.
EPA commits to inspecting operations
An EPA spokesperson confirmed receipt of the report “alleging breaches of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (CIFOA) in Orara East State Forest”.
“We are assessing the details of the report and will soon inspect the forestry operation to confirm if these breaches have occurred,” they said.
The Forestry Corporation of NSW spokesperson told the Coffs Coast Advocate they “will co-operate co-operate fully with the regulator on any investigation into these allegations”.
Meanwhile Forestry Corporation of NSW have stated the Orara East State Forest is currently closed.
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