UPDATE: An independent study released in September 2025 has confirmed that selective timber harvesting in New South Wales’ North Coast does not harm koala populations. The findings challenge the recent decision by the Minns Labor Government to halt forestry operations in favor of the controversial Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
The report, commissioned by the NSW Government and conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, reveals no significant change in koala density three years after harvesting. This contradicts the government’s narrative, as Michael Kemp, the Member for Oxley, asserts that the government is prioritizing political agendas over scientific evidence.
“Penny Sharpe and Chris Minns have got it wrong. They’ve not only shut down an industry that has sustainably managed our forests for generations, but they have also refused to listen to the highest quality scientific evidence we have available,” Kemp stated in a recent media release.
The Natural Resources Commission’s report analyzed six sites, three in State Forests and three in National Parks, using acoustic monitoring to estimate koala density based on their bellowing calls. Key findings include:
– Significant declines in koala density in National Parks were primarily attributed to fire, not harvesting.
– No significant change in koala density was observed three years post-harvesting in State Forests compared to pre-harvesting numbers.
– Resilience of koalas in managed forestry landscapes improved, with GPS-tracked individuals showing stable home ranges and successful breeding.
Kemp criticized the government for ignoring this data, arguing, “How can locking up 176,000 hectares of productive forest, which will undoubtedly increase the fire risk, possibly protect koala numbers?” He emphasized that the government’s actions are detrimental to local economies and communities dependent on the forestry industry.
“Hundreds of hardworking families’ livelihoods have been destroyed because this Government cares more about election promises and city votes, than protecting the koala and our environment,” Kemp added.
The report’s conclusions prompt urgent discussions about forest management practices and the future of both the koalas and local communities. As the debate continues, residents and stakeholders are left questioning the true motivations behind the government’s forestry policies.
For more details, refer to the full study on the Natural Resources Commission website.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and share your thoughts on the impact of these findings on our environment and communities.
