How will the halt to harvesting in the Great Koala National Park impact the local timber industry?

For years now, the proposal of a Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast has raised concerns from timber industry representatives and created the “Koala Wars” between rival political parties.

Once gazetted, the GKNP will see existing national park reserves combined with 176,000 hectares of state forest to create a network of protected areas: a total of 475,000 hectares from Kempsey to Grafton and inland to Ebor to be exact.

Why? To protect koalas and other threatened species from extinction.

Despite the ongoing debate on whether or not threatened species can survive alongside the timber industry, the facts around the NSW government's recent announcement of the proposed boundaries are straightforward.

What’s happened? As of Monday, a temporary moratorium on timber harvesting in the 176,000 hectares of designated state forest within the boundaries is in place. 

What does that mean? Native forest harvesting in these locations has ceased, and no new operations in those areas will commence.

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 needs to be passed by parliament to formally establish the GKNP.

Impacted and not impacted: The GKNP represents 21 percent of state forests in the North Coast region – 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. 

Affected 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.”

Thumbnail: Great Koala National Park, aerial. Supplied NSW Government.