Murray River Red Gums Rescue

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UPDATE: Campaign win!

Historic decision protects the Murray River Red Gum Forests

Following a campaign led by The Wilderness Society Sydney and the National Parks Association of NSW, the NSW Government has announced that they will protect the internationally important River Red Gum Forests – including the immediate protection of the iconic Millewa Forest.

This is an historic conservation outcome for NSW, with a greater proportion of State Forest lands protected than in any previous forest decision. The announcement also includes significant outcomes for Indigenous Traditional Owners, allowing fro joint management of the Millewa Forests by the Yorta Yorta people and includes the transfer of two major forest groups to Traditional Owners as Indigenous Protected Areas.

The decision will see the creation of over 100,000 hectares of new protected areas and will protect crucial habitat for threatened species such as the superb parrot.

Combined with recent new park decisions across Victorian Forests, the decision sees over 200,000 hectares of River Red Gum Forests protected in the Murray region.

A generous restructure package will also provide support to industry, allowing them to move towards a more sustainable regional economy. Previous studies have shown that National Parks have the potential to not only provide good outcomes for the environment, but also for the regions’ economy.

The Wilderness Society has praised the hard work of NSW Environment Minister, Frank Sartor, and the good decision of NSW Premier Kristina Keneally. Both have worked through difficult negotiations with stake holders to deliver this outcome.

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Australia has the two largest River Red Gum forests in the world.

The health of the Murray River and its River Red Gum Forests are intrinsically linked - a healthy river needs healthy forests.

However, our River Red Gum Forests are not healthy - in some areas 75% of the trees are already stressed, dead or dying and they are further being degraded by destructive logging and grazing.

The Red Gum forests act as filters for the river - if the New South Wales Government is serious about protecting the health of the Murray River, then it needs to protect our River Red Gums. Often referred to as 'The Kakadu of the South' these forests are also vitally important habitat for a number of threatened and endangered species and play host to many thousands of migratory birds each year. They also attract tourists to the region, who are an important part of the region's economy. Logging, primarily for low values products such as firewood, fence posts and railway sleepers, is destroying the very values that the forests have become famous for. Replacing logging with well managed National Parks will protect the forests, ensure that the Murray retains its filter system and continue to provide vital income to the region. The New South Wales government needs to urgently commit to creating National Parks from our State Forests in full consultation with local traditional owners.

Often referred to as 'The Kakadu of the South', these forests are vitally important habitat for a number of threatened and endangered species - and play host to many thousands of migratory birds each year. Barmah State Forest. Photographer: R. Jung

Replacing logging with National Parks will give these trees a future.