🟡 Our timber industry & old motels

Including: MNC resident's thoughts on Gov plans to reduce pollution.

Author

Ellie Chamberlain
September 12, 2025

⏱️ The 61st edition of our newsletter is a 6-minute read.

🙋‍♀️ Hey Mid North Coasters, it’s Ellie.

🎉 We officially have more than 14,000 subscribers!! Thank you to everyone following along – the support means a lot.

After the Great Koala National Park’s proposed boundaries were announced on Monday — and a temporary moratorium on timber harvesting in the state forests was put in place — I was curious to know what exactly this meant for the local timber industry.

How many jobs will it impact? What’s the compensation for workers and businesses? Will harvesting in other areas of the MNC continue?

In today’s newsletter, we’ll take a look at the answers.

In the last edition, I also mentioned Port Macquarie’s Glasshouse was in the news again — as Port council discussed the operating cost of the entertainment hub. It has raised questions from councillors and community members about how the venue could better utilised.

One of our readers, Michael Bailey, wrote in to share an idea. He wonders if council had considered making it a cinema during school holidays.

🗣️ “I moved from Springwood in the Blue Mountains at Christmas and a similar thing was happening to, what we called ‘The Hub’, similar to the Glasshouse. They play 70s / 80s movies on the big screen, it worked a treat.. got to see Back to the Future like it was 1985 – choc tops and popcorn as well, it was a memorable experience.”

“The council should look at that, I think it would bring more people to the Glasshouse. Also have the movie sessions during the day, a lot of elderly people don’t like going out at night. It’s just a thought”.

What do you think? Agree with Michael? Or reckon there’s another option?

Also a reminder — I’m always happy to read your feedback and thoughts on our stories. Just reply to this email and I’m on the other side!

Before we dive into the top story of the day, here’s another great video from our contributor Mel Mantle. She met with Debbie Port Macquarie Museum who shared some really cool old photos of motels, including postcards. Mel has combined these images with a brief history in from the late 50s until now.

Did you know there were about 30 motels in Port during the 60s!?

❝

“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 on the Great Koala National Park ↑

🗓️ WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

🪵 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.

➡️ As of Monday, a temporary moratorium on timber harvesting in the 176,000 hectares of designated state forest within the boundaries is in place. 

➡️ 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 have an impact on six mills in the region (and approximately 300 jobs).

➡️ Forestry Corp NSW will be able to remove timber that was felled prior to the commencement of the moratorium.

➡️ 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. 

➡️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.

➡️ In the future, impacted Forestry Corporation workers will be prioritised for new roles created within NPWS.

🗞️ Read the article on our website.

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

Mill workers will continue to receive their current wage.

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📹 VOX POP VIDEO

While visiting Taree, I asked residents on the street some questions, from where's your favourite place to eat to do you think the government should commit to clear goal in reducing pollution. Watch the video below to hear answers to the latter.

Thanks fore reading! I hope you enjoyed this newsletter and I’ll be back in your inboxes next week. In the meantime, you can keep up to date on our Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, or check the website.

Have a nice weekend!
Ellie