THE fight for Mid North Coast native forests has been highlighted in national media recently, with stories featuring in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Guardian and on The Project.

As reported previously in News Of The Area, Gumbaynggirr elders have succeeded in halting logging in Newry State Forest via a legal injunction and voluntary stopping of logging by Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW).

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Further action was contingent on there being a site inspection by the Elders.

The Friends of Newry have opted for political action and ask concerned locals of all ages to “write a letter, make a call, or send an email and say what you think”.

They have detailed their perspective on Mid North Coast FCNSW operations and invite supporters to contact the NSW Premier, Chris Minns.

FCNSW disputes some of their assertions.

In Oakes State forest, at the Kalang headwaters, locals are upset that roading has been put in for imminent logging.

The Kalang River Forest Alliance (KRFA) is gearing up for “a significant campaign of protest against NSW Forest Corporation and the Minns government”.

Members say they have documented numerous breaches in the roading that could lead to serious sediment runoff events into the Kalang River.

“When the first significant rains hit these roads, there will be a major pollution event in the Kalang river,” said Kath Kelly from the KRFA.

Ms Kelly said complaints have been made to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in the last week by KRFA and concerned citizens.

When contacted by News Of The Area, an EPA spokesperson said, “The EPA has inspected the sediment and erosion controls implemented by Forestry Corporation of NSW in Oakes State Forest and identified several areas where upgraded controls are needed.

“We require the upgrades to be completed as a matter of urgency, including ensuring that there are adequate road drainage structures and that soil stabilisation measures are best practice.”

The spokesperson said further inspections will be conducted to assess the upgraded controls.

Local ecologist Mark Graham was quoted in Nick O’Malley’s Sydney Morning Herald article and interviewed for The Project’s piece.

Mr Graham hosted 30 participants of the International Association for Vegetation Science conference, held in Coffs Harbour this week, on a week-long tour of Mid North Coast forests.

Mr Graham said while the global experts on vegetation were impressed with 85 percent of the forests, they were shocked that the other fifteen percent had experienced what they considered immense environmental harm.

“They were astonished by the world-class forests they visited, seeing ancient plants and animals,” Mr Graham said.

“However, they were horrified by the destruction they saw.”

Mr Graham hopes that an international focus might help the case for ending native forest logging.

While there have been some small “wins” for conservationists, an end to native forest logging in NSW and the establishment of the Great Koala National Park appear elusive and claims and counterclaims between conservationists and foresters persist.

By Andrew VIVIAN