Great Koala National Park Secured, But the Struggle for Forests Goes On
The Forest Advocacy Ministry of the Mid North Coast (FAMC) Presbytery joins many tired and elated forest defenders and community members this week in celebrating the announcement of an end to logging in the proposed Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
The Forest Advocacy Ministry of the Mid North Coast (FAMC) Presbytery joins many tired and elated forest defenders and community members this week in celebrating the announcement of an end to logging in the proposed Great Koala National Park (GKNP). This week in a gathering on Gumbaynggirr Country the NSW Government committed to formally gazette the full promised park next year.
Through our work, and through the forest chaplain role over which we have oversight, we have supported the volunteers pouring thousands of volunteer hours into forest surveys, compliance monitoring, publicity and pressuring the government to stick to its word and create the GKNP, which is a massive contribution to saving our iconic threatened species from extinction, as well as our many other forest neighbours which call this park home.
We pause to celebrate, then the work continues. With logging excluded from the GKNP, the pressure on other high-quality habitat will increase, and those trying to defend them will need more support. The GKNP itself still needs to be approved by both houses of parliament, meanwhile our local members seem determined to white-ant the Park and sow misinformation and division rather than lead local communities to capitalise on this opportunity.
We are thankful to all of you in the wider church who have supported us, and who do your own work to defend forests in your neighbourhoods. We are excited that the Moderator is coming to join us in the forest on September 24th, to meet Gumbaynggirr leaders, and forest defenders.
We have been gratified by the positive feedback for our part in the movement, including producing Breaches and Forest Furphies, both of which have used across NSW, requiring multiple print runs, and establishing the forest chaplain role with the support of a Quaker peace fund, and the Synod growth fund.
As we wait to hear whether this vital role has been extended by the Growth Fund for another year, and “gird up our loins” to continue the struggle, we take this week to celebrate, to give thanks, and to go for a walk amongst our forest family in the soon to be Great Koala National Park.
Rev. Jason John, Forest Chaplain
For More Information
For more on FAMC, the chaplaincy, and the free Breaches and Forest Furphies books visit https://unitingearthweb.org.au/forests/