MEDIA RELEASE
14th December 2024
14th December 2024
Friday’s release of NSW Forestry Corporation’s annual report shows that the taxpayer is again propping up the destruction of our native forests. FCNSW reported a $29 m loss in its native hardwood division, almost double the figure reported last year.
This brings the total loss over the past 4 years to $73m after reporting losses of $20m in FY20-21, $9m in FY21-22, and $15m in FY22-23.
The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC), the state’s leading environment advocacy organisation, has said it is time to transition to a 100% plantation-based industry and stop the wholesale destruction of endangered species habitat at the cost of the taxpayer.
“The people of NSW don’t want the continued waste of their money on an industry that destroys our precious native forests,” said Steve Ryan, NCC Forests Campaigner.
“As well as running at a loss, FCNSW has been ordered to pay almost $500,000 in fines and legal costs over the past five years – mostly for damage to threatened species habitat and endangered ecological communities.[1]
“And it is in court again this month, being prosecuted for illegal logging at Wild Cattle Creek.”
“The continued public subsidisation of Forestry Corporation NSW’s native hardwood division is both destructive and wasteful. It’s long past time to end native forest logging in this state.
“The NSW taxpayer is currently paying to destroy forest habitats and push species like the Koala and Greater Glider ever further towards extinction.
“The Minns’ Government should be investing in an immediate transition to a 100% plantation-based forestry industry.”
ENDS
[1] List of prosecutions against Forestry Corporation of NSW: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/native-forestry/regulating/register-of-crown-forestry-investigations
Media contact: Steve Ryan 0488 401 542