FORMER State Labor candidate and Coffs Harbour Councillor Tony Judge, says local National Party leaders are putting the environmental and economic future of the region at risk by their negativity towards the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
“The announcement confirming that NSW Labor will proceed with the full implementation of the GKNP was an exciting and very welcome boost for our region,” he said.
“I was proud to stand with Environment Minister Penny Sharpe when that announcement was made.
“Since then, there has been extensive consultation with environmental groups, scientists, industry representatives and Unions representing timber workers.
“The announcement comes with a clear commitment to work with the timber industry on transition, including… job keeper payments.
“It also includes the creation of more than 100 jobs in the National Park itself.
“I know that local Nationals leaders were fully briefed on the extent of the Government’s plans.”
The Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, disputed Mr Judge’s statements.
“The surprise is not the announcement itself, but that people were told on a Friday afternoon that they would not have a job on Monday morning, and that there will be zero hardwood harvesting instead of limiting [access] to the area, as promised to industry over the years.
“The $20,000 redundancy offers to mill workers are insulting, as are the $9000 offers to retrain as ‘tourism operators’.”
He said that in addition to the six mills directly affected, are the other mills “downstream” that have not heard from the government.
“Grazing leases in State Forests will cease as well.”
Mr Singh said all the ecotourism activities mooted can already happen, while others such as four-wheel driving and dirt biking, won’t be allowed.
“People who have built tourism businesses using the State Forests have been left completely in the dark by this announcement and have yet to hear any further details or reassurance from the government,” he said.
“The government has done a terrible job communicating what this park actually is to our community.
“Businesses, mills, forest workers, and recreational users including the mountain bike clubs are all very concerned about what their futures look like.”
Mr Singh also questioned the potential economic benefits, saying, “even if the $8m annual tourism benefits all came to Coffs Harbour instead of being split across five electorates, it’s still bringing in less than one single Oz Tag or Touch Football tournament over a single weekend.”
Mr Judge said, “Environmentally, it provides a lifeline for koalas and over 100 other threatened species, protects the catchment for our precious drinking water and contributes to climate action.
“Economically, it offers up great opportunities for new and expanded business as it capitalises on our eco-tourism certification and love for our iconic koalas.
“The Coffs Coast has the opportunity to be known across Australia and the world as the place where we made a stand to save wild koalas and preserve our beautiful natural environment for future generations.
“The value to our environment, our community and the local economy is huge.”
Information about the GKNP and worker and business support can be found at nsw.gov.au/environment-land-and-water/great-koala-national-park.
By Andrew VIVIAN
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