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Protect Big Spotty’s Forest

The world's tallest Spotted Gum needs protection. That's why we’re calling on the NSW Government to permanently protect Big Spotty by immediately declaring the North Brooman State Forest as the Big Spotty Flora Reserve.

Photo Credit: Hayden Griffith / Stitch Films

What we are asking for

We are calling on the NSW Government to:

Permanently protect Big Spotty’s Forest from logging by declaring the North Brooman State Forest to be the Big Spotty Flora Reserve.

Work with Traditional Owners, tourism providers and the community to deliver; 

  • A 50-metre boardwalk and viewing platform at Big Spotty.

  • Clearly marked car parking and signage next to Four Mile Road.

  • Signage explaining the forest’s ecological, cultural and historic significance.

  • A shallow boot bath to to disinfect visitors’ boots

This infrastructure would protect Big Spotty while giving more people the opportunity to view the largest spotted gum in the world.  

We also propose:

  • A walking track linking Termeil to Big Spotty, giving visitors the option to hike along sections of the historic Old Coach Road, experience Big Spotty and other giant trees within this forest, as part of a Giant Tree Tourism strategy. 

Logging is starting in Big Spotty’s state forest in the next three months

This places the future of Big Spotty at serious risk. View interactive map: Logging in NSW.

Protecting Big Spotty means protecting North Brooman state forest now, before logging begins. That means we have less than three months to secure permanent protection.

Why Big Spotty’s forest must be protected

Big Spotty is the world’s tallest known Spotted Gum.

Towering above the forest canopy in North Brooman State Forest, on Yuin Country, it is a whopping 71m and over 500 years old. This tree was alive during the time of Leonardo Da Vinci! 

But Big Spotty’s survival depends on the surrounding trees to protect its roots, stabilise soils, moderate wind and storm exposure, and maintain the microclimate large old trees need to survive. This tree needs its forest! 

Photo Credit: Andy Kaineder

A first step toward the Great Southern Forest

Protecting Big Spotty’s forest is an immediate step in a broader vision for large-scale forest protection on the South Coast.

This proposal forms part of our longer term ambition to protect connected forest landscapes across the region, including all remaining native forests within the Clyde River catchment. This will contribute towards the proposed Great Southern Forest protected area extending from the Shoalhaven to the Victorian border.

Add your name to show your support for permanent protection and visitor infrastructure for Big Spotty in North Brooman State Forest. 

You can sign on as a community member, business owner or community organisation.  

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