An Old-Growth Forest Under Threat
Jilliby’s forests are dominated by tall mountain blue gums and blue-leaved stringybarks, forming an important old-growth ecosystem on the Central Coast. The area provides habitat for more than 150 native animal species, including the endangered Yellow-bellied glider. As logging pressures intensified across New South Wales forests in the early 1990s, Jilliby became one of several local campaign fronts where communities and conservationists pushed back against further destruction.
The Campaign
Protests were held throughout the early 1990s to protect forests across New South Wales from logging. Local campaigns focused on multiple forest areas, including Jilliby in the Watagan Mountains. Campaigners used a range of tactics including blockading logging operations, organising marches, writing reports and engaging in non-violent direct action. With strong local support, the Wilderness Society Newcastle worked alongside the North East Forest Alliance, Central Coast Environment Network and Doctors for Forests to campaign for the protection of Jilliby.
Protection Secured
In March 2003, following his re-election, then-Premier Bob Carr announced an additional 65,000 hectares of forest would be added to New South Wales’ reserve system. The decision repaired earlier decisions that had allowed logging in parts of the area. The largest of the 15 new reserves was the 14,000-hectare Jilliby forest near Wyong on the Central Coast.
Legacy
The Jilliby campaign formed part of the broader movement to protect old-growth forests across New South Wales during the 1990s and early 2000s. It also demonstrated how local communities, environmental organisations and non-violent direct action campaigns could combine to secure long-term forest protection.