[Greens-Media] Government condemned for destruction of koala habitat

[David Shoebridge]

Government condemned for destruction of koala habitat
Media Release - 16 Oct 2012
 
A Notice of Motion which condemned the government for failing to
prevent the destruction of koala habitat in Bermagui State Forest and
Pine Creek State Forest was presented in the NSW Parliament today.
 
Greens NSW Forestry spokesperson David Shoebridge said:
 
"Logging koala habitat in Bermagui State Forest and Pine Creek State
Forest is little more than mindless destruction. 
 
"Koala numbers are falling across the state at an alarming rate. We are
rapidly losing an animal which is iconic. Every tourist, every school
kid—every Australian—wants to know that our koalas are being looked
after by governments, both state and federal. 
 
"There must be an immediate commitment from the government to
permanently halt logging in both Pine Creek and Bermagui State Forests.
The destruction of habitat by Forests NSW is unacceptable.
 
"All state forests with potential for koala populations must be
surveyed in order to permanently protect koala habitat from logging. 
 
"The people of NSW have a right to know that the government is doing
everything in its power to ensure logging of public forests is not
exterminating the remnant koala populations. 
 
"The signs are very clear that to date, Forests NSW cares more about
woodchips than this Aussie icon," Mr Shoebridge said. 
 
Media contact: Mark Riboldi 0433 753 376

Text of Motion brought by Mr David Shoebridge 16 October 2012
 
Mr Shoebridge to move:
 
That this house notes that:
 
1.      Recent logging in Pine Creek State Forest cut a swathe through
riparian areas, severing the existing koala population in the Bongil
Bongil National Park from the population in the state forest, and
severely damaging first and second order streams.
2.      Bermagui State Forest has recently been logged, despite the
recorded presence of koalas.
3.      Koala numbers in NSW are in rapid decline, having fallen from
around 31 400 in 1990 to around 21 000 in 2010 and the koala has been
listed as Vulnerable by both the Australian government and the NSW
government. 
That this house:
 
1.      Condemns the government for failing to protect the koala
populations of Pine Creek and Bermagui State Forests. Investigates and
prosecutes Forests NSW for its flouting of regulations surrounding the
protection of koalas in Pine Creek and Bermagui State Forests. 


3.      Takes immediate steps to protect the State's vulnerable koala
population by instigating a permanent halt to logging in both Pine Creek
State Forest and Bermagui State Forest; and
 
4.      Undertakes pro-active and independent koala habitat surveys in
all state forests which have significant potential for koala populations
in order to permanently protect existing and potential koala habitat
from destructive logging operations.  
 
 
 

 
David Shoebridge
Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council
P: (02) 9230 3030 |Media: 0433 753 376 |T: @ShoebridgeMLC (
http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc )
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