A DIFFERENT approach to campaigning for forests has appeared on the streets of Coffs Harbour.
A Streetfight Media truck is touring the region throughout May, promoting the establishment of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
A spokesperson for Friends of Orara East State Forest said the large mobile billboard is to remind locals and visitors that native forests aren’t just home to endangered koalas – they’re vital to biodiversity, ecotourism economy, and children’s futures.
She said that despite the koala being listed as endangered in 2022, logging continues in key areas such as Mt Coramba and Lower Bucca State Forest.
Roadbuilding and logging operations are continuing during heavy and ongoing rain, causing severe erosion and siltation of local waterways.
“What’s worse,” the spokesperson said, “is that the public is locked out of large parts of Lower Bucca State Forest until January 1, 2026, while logging continues in government-recognised koala habitat.”
“This isn’t just an environmental disaster, it’s an economic one.”
The Forestry Corporation NSW has paid $1.75 million in fines since 2020 for breaching environmental protections, including logging endangered species habitat.
“Even worse, NSW taxpayers are footing the bill – not just for the fines, but for the entire operation.”
Figures by Pyxis Polling show 73 percent of people in the region support the creation of the GKNP.
By Andrew VIVIAN
