Australia halts logging to protect koala habitat on eastern coast

Ban on logging

The New South Wales government imposed a logging ban effective from Monday, covering 176,000 hectares (435,000 acres) of forest on the state's north coast. This decision affects six timber mills and approximately 300 workers.

Urgent action needed

Without intervention, officials warned that koalas in the most populous state could face extinction by 2050. Environmentalists attribute the dramatic decline in koala numbers to deforestation, drought, and bushfires.

Premier's commitment

"Koalas are at risk of extinction in the wild in NSW — that's unthinkable," said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. He emphasized the importance of the Great Koala National Park in reversing this trend and assured support for affected workers and businesses.

Support for affected workers

The state government has reached out to each impacted mill, pledging financial support to cover workers' salaries and business expenses, as well as access to training and legal services.

Expansion of Koala haven

Initially announced in 2023, the plan for the koala haven has evolved. The Great Koala National Park aims to provide refuge for over 12,000 koalas, 36,000 greater gliders, and more than 100 other threatened species.

Investment in the future

The government has committed Aus$6 million (US$4 million) to boost tourism and small businesses in the area, along with an additional Aus$60 million for park creation, building on the Aus$80 million allocated in 2023.

Environmental and community concerns

While the koala park has been praised by environmentalists, unions have criticized its impact on the logging industry and local communities. "This is not about being pro or anti koala," said Tony Callinan, secretary of the Australian Workers Union, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.

Need for federal approval

The final establishment of the koala park will depend on federal government approval to assess it as a carbon project for better management of native forests.

Current Koala population estimates

Australia's national koala monitoring program estimates between 95,000 and 238,000 koalas reside in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, with an additional 129,000 to 286,000 in Victoria and South Australia.