Community rallies against logging of the Great Koala National Park site
Hundreds chanted "Hey Chris Minns, where's our Koala Park?"
Ellie Chamberlain
January 14, 2025
What happened?
On Monday, January 13, hundreds turned up to protest against logging in the proposed Great Koala National Park, demanding the NSW Labor government make good on its promise and announce the final boundaries of the park.
The community members rallied outside the NSW Forestry Corporation’s offices in Coffs Harbour – as well as in Sydney.
The call to stop native forest logging was loud at the community rally outside the Forestry Corporation office in Coffs Harbour. Picture by Ellie Chamberlain.
What’s the concern?
Logging has continued in the state forests that were assessed for inclusion in the Great Koala National Park.
Community members and political figures on Monday voiced concerns of an increase in logging since the Minns Labor Government was elected in 2023, and how this impacts koala habitat and population, threatens other native wildlife species, while also adding to the climate crisis.
Why is logging happening?
Until the Labor Party formally establishes the Great Koala National Park, logging can and will continue.
As it stands, the park is a proposed site.
The ongoing action has been a major point of concern for those in support of the park. An announcement was expected around Christmas but hasn’t yet happened.
The Great Koala National Park was an election promise but is yet to be formally established. Picture by Ellie Chamberlain.
Spokesperson for the environment
Greens MP Sue Higginson said logging of the park area has increased by 62 per cent since the Minns Labor Government was elected.
“The increased logging of the promised Great Koala National Park is setting these forests and koalas back decades, and is a complete betrayal and political failure by the Minns Labor Government,” Ms Higginson said.
Greens MP Sue Higginson says logging of the area has increased, calling the acceleration a ‘betrayal and political failure’ by the Minns Labor Government. Picture by Ellie Chamberlain.
Running out of patience
The NSW Labor Party first promised the establishment of the Great Koala National Park in 2015 and was elected to Government in 2023.
“We have waited 21 months for this Government to keep its promise, but instead everyday we have seen more koala habitat cut down,” Ms Higginson said.
“We aren’t waiting any longer.”