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New National Parks will protect the internationally significant values of these wetland forests. Photo: R Jung

The Wilderness Society has welcomed the NSW State Government’s announcement of an independent review of River Red Gum forest management, seen as the first step towards the creation of new National Parks, to be conducted by the independent Natural Resources Commission.

A review by the Natural Resources Commission will allow for an independent, scientifically based assessment of the conservation values of the forests and the economics of the current logging industry and alternative forms of management. We expect this will recommend the creation of new National Parks across the entirety of the regions state forests, as required by governments’ own benchmarks.

We are now calling for the Premier to include a moratorium on logging in the areas of highest conservation value while the assessment is conducted. This will go ensure these areas, which include areas listed as internationally significant and important habitat for threatened native animals and migratory birds, are protected from further degradation.

We are also calling for any assessment of the region to fully involve Indigenous traditional owners and to include an assessment of the cultural values of the area.

The Wilderness Society has previously published economic modelling which highlights that logging is predominately for low value products such as fenceposts, railway sleepers and firewood, while the creation of new National Parks has the potential to boost the local economy by at least $100 million per annum and provide for many more jobs. 

The protection of the River Red Gum Forests of south western NSW would be a significant achievement for Premier Rees Government. However, to ensure long term success, this must also be backed by an equitable industry restructure package to deliver a secure future to affected workers.

Former NSW Premier Bob Carr has challenged his successor Nathan Rees to protect the forests, describing this as “the most urgent nature conservation challenge we face in this state”