NSW Southern Forests

Ancient Forests of the South Coast

The southern forests of New South Wales contain mature wet forests, ancient Gondwanan rainforest remnants and important wildlife habitat. Additional protections across Monga, Buckenbourra and Badja also moved conservationists closer to the long-held vision of a connected Great Escarpment National Park system. The forests provide habitat for threatened species including the superb parrot, Swift parrot, powerful owl, Regent honeyeater, koala and tiger quoll.

The Threat

In 1999, the Federal Government pushed for Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) to be completed by the end of the year, later extending the deadline to 31 March 2000. The agreements would allow continued woodchip exports from forest regions operating under RFAs. Campaigners feared the agreements would lock in long-term clearfell logging and woodchipping across forests with high conservation value. In mid-April 2000, controversy intensified when a Japanese company began loading woodchips without a licence. The incident allowed Federal Minister Wilson Tuckey to alter regulations under the Export Control Act, giving the New South Wales Government greater authority over logging and woodchipping decisions.

The Campaign

The Wilderness Society worked alongside local communities, scientists and environmental organisations to campaign for permanent forest protection across the southern forests region. Campaigners argued that forests with significant ecological value should be added to the national park estate rather than opened to industrial logging. Andrew Wong worked closely with regional conservation groups to develop proposals for national park additions. Supporting organisations included the Friends of Durras, Bendalong and District Environmental Association, Friends of Mongarlowe River, Dignams Creek Community Group, Coastwatchers and Peak Alone-Wandella Catchment Association. The campaign also received support from scientists and environmental organisations including the Total Environment Centre, Nature Conservation Council of NSW and the Colong Foundation for Wilderness.

Protection Achieved

In 2000, Premier Bob Carr announced major new protections across the southern forests region. More than 100 new parks were created and additions were made to 20 existing national parks. The outcome protected approximately 320,000 hectares of forests and woodlands and abandoned Regional Forest Agreement proposals for parts of the region that would have allowed continued clearfell logging and woodchipping.

Legacy

The NSW Southern Forests campaign secured protection for some of the most ecologically significant forests on the New South Wales south coast. It also strengthened the broader vision of linking protected forest landscapes along the Great Escarpment and demonstrated the importance of coordinated community, scientific and conservation advocacy.