Supporters in Bulga Forest this morning blocking the entrance to logging operations 30th Sept. 2024
News update 30 September, 2024
After a hiatus of 21 months, hostilities have resumed in Bulga State Forest, west of Port Macquarie, between local residents and supporters hell bent on seeing the forest protected and the Forestry Corporation of NSW, determined to log it.
“In the almost 2 years since FCNSW attempted to log this forest we have found that it is home to well over 200 Greater Gliders. We have seen them pregnant, we have seen them with babies on their backs. We have also seen several Koalas, also with young on their backs”, said spokesperson Fiona Lee, for Save Bulga Forest.
“Both of these animal species are endangered due to habitat loss. The State and Federal Governments are telling the world they are taking action to redress this, when it is clearly not true. Logging is subsidised to the tune of more than $1280 per hectare.* So this particular forest will cost NSW taxpayers more than $135,000 and we end up with a trashed environment at the end. It is sheer lunacy.
“We feel we have no choice but to stand up for these precious animals and their homes. Many of us are prepared to experience the discomfort and distress of being arrested, if that helps focus attention on the hypocrisy of governments who claim to have a Nature Positive agenda, but whose actions are definitely Nature Negative,” Ms Lee said.
“We also believe that the logging plan is non-compliant and that FCNSW are not even meeting their legal requirements.
“Today we have blocked the access road to the logging machinery. We can’t stand by and let the Gliders and Koalas die without at least trying to save them. We’ve tried letters, submissions and lobbying. Our only option now is to put our bodies in the way and hope that may delay the logging long enough for the NSW Government to permanently end the destruction of these remaining healthy populations.
* In 2022/23 the Forestry Corporation lost $15 million on its native forestry operations, costing the NSW Government $1,281 per hectare to log the homes of Koalas and Greater Gliders. In addition the Forestry Corporation was paid $31 million of taxpayer’s money for its community service obligations in 2022/23, while also receiving regular massive public handouts. During that year FC logged over 11,000ha of NSW public forests.
Bulga Plateau locals blocking the road to Bulga Forest 30th Sept. 2024