This week we have lots of news and links on koalas and logging and a report from a coal meeting at Eastwood Senior Citizens Club.
Logging and Koalas
Native forest logging continues to devastate koala habitat in NSW.
- The Labor Party committed to protecting over 300,000ha of land for koalas in 2015.
- Yet the NSW Government has failed to gazette the promised Great Koala National Park and will not end logging until forests can generate carbon credits.
- Research by the Australia Institute and others has raised serious issues about the government’s plan to monetise our forests by creating a carbon market, and to keep logging the Great Koala National Park until the scheme is established See video
Victoria and Western Australia have already ended native forest logging. The most economically efficient and environmentally responsible path for the NSW Government is to immediately:
- Gazette the boundaries of the Great Koala National Park, as promised.
- End all logging in public native forests and koala habitat.
- Abandon support for and plans to develop carbon credits associated with NSW forests.
Nanna Native Forest Listening Tour – Coffs Harbour
Many on Sydney Nannas Koala Team went on a Native Forest Listening Tour to Coffs Harbour and nearby native forests during the week.
They attended forest vigils and a street protest, met the incredible group of local activists, learnt lots and have returned to Sydney more motivated than ever. A full report will be posted later in the week.
In the meantime their message is that if you are heading up that way, make sure you stop by and say hello – it’s great for your spirits.
Meeting with South Coast Forest Activist
The week before Nannas met with Jocelyn van der Moolen, a very experienced South Coast forest activist, in Sydney on 10 April. She campaigns with Friends of the Forest (Mogo) and Knitting Nannas for Native Forests – South Coast Loop.
During the Easter holidays several local environmental groups held the Easter Kings Highway Forest Embassies on Friday 29 March and Monday 1 April. There was lots of honking and waving in response to banners saying Saving Forest is Climate Action and Ecotourism not Logging. See the Facebook post reel. Lots of other actions are happening on the south coast. Contact the groups above for more information.
Jocelyn suggested the following reading, listening and watching links below.
Nannas are reading
Nature Conservation Council NSW – Native Forest Message Guide
The Tree Projects NSW Forest Carbon: An Effective Change Solution
Labor Environment Action Network – Fact sheet #3 Climate, Clearing, Logging & Cows
Nannas are Listening to
World-leading forest expert, David Lindenmayer in conversation with Alex Sloan on David’s new book The Forest Wars, which lifts the lid on the destruction of native forests by government corporations and the logging industry that is making bushfires worse, killing wildlife and costing taxpayers millions, for the sake of export woodchips. Podcast Link
22 March 2024 Behind the Lines 2XX Community Radio (weekly program), Southern NSW Forest and Canberra BBR rally (90 minutes), Takesa Frank – Brooman State Forest Conservation Group, Joslyn van der Moolen – Knitting Nannas for Native Forests, Judith Bourne – Canberra Forest Alliance
8 March 2024 Climate Community 2XX Community Radio (weekly program), Featuring Joslyn van der Moolen on South Coast and NSW forest logging (after few minutes of water news).
Nannas are watching
Greater Glider Chat with David Lindenmayer on YouTube (Nature Conservation Council)
Coal Expansions
Coal Mine expansions in a Climate Crisis was a public meeting at Earlwood Senior Citizens Club organised by Lock the Gate, Inner West Families Working Against Climate Change and Canterbury Bankstown Climate Action group on 18 April.
Around 30 people attended the well organised event which was both engaging and practical. The three terrific speakers were Holly Creenaune from Sunrise Project who was very empowering, Nic Cyde from Lock the Gate and Thea Ormerod from ARRCC.
Letters, stamps and envelopes were passed around for people to sign and send to the NSW local member Courtney Houssos, Minister for Natural Resources.
Forthcoming Events: