On the frontlines of Australia’s longest-running forest campaign
The South East Region Conservation Alliance (SERCA) is a coalition of eight south coast environment groups working to end native forest logging. Based on the Yuin lands of Wodiwodi, Wandiwandian, Dhurga, Walbanja, Djiringanj, Thaua and Bidewal, as well as Wolgalu and Ngarigo on the far south coast of New South Wales, SERCA has been advocating for forest protection since 2005, at the local, state and federal levels.
SERCA's core goal is clear: end native forest logging by securing the closure of the Eden woodchip mill – the central driver of native forest logging in the region.
“Through whichever lens you view the native forest woodchipping industry – economics, biodiversity, climate, local weather impacts, animal cruelty, soil and water quality or even jobs – it makes no sense at all,” the group says. “There are powerful arguments for ending it.”
A long-running campaign
SERCA is part of a proud local legacy: the campaign to protect south coast forests is the longest continuously running environmental campaign in Australia, beginning in 1968 when plans to establish the Eden chipmill were announced. The mill was built and began operating in 1969. SERCA has been a leading campaigner since it was founded in 2005.
The group has helped stop multiple attempts to further entrench woodchipping in the region, playing a central role in blocking a proposed a wood-fired power station (withdrawn in 2012), and a wood pellet plant (shut down in 2013 after community protests and legal challenges).
“If either of those projects had gone ahead,” they say, “they would have created a more secure financial base for the woodchipping industry and made it a much more difficult campaign target.”
Learning from experience
Over the years, SERCA has shown how sustained local organising can lead to real gains.
One proud achievement was the creation of the Murrah Flora Reserves, which protect coastal forests that were once heavily logged. That campaign succeeded thanks to the leadership of local First Nations community members, with strong support from local SERCA member groups.
More recently, in 2024, SERCA member group South East Forest Rescue (SEFR) won a landmark High Court case affirming the rights of groups other than the EPA to take legal action against the Forestry Corporation for breaching logging laws – opening the door for more community-led legal action to protect forests.
The group also runs a stall regularly at the Bega farmers’ market. They find it a great way to keep in touch with long term supporters, meet new allies, and connect with visitors to the region who are unaware of the impacts of native forest logging.
“Never give up,” the group says. “Campaign tactics that seem not to work in one set of circumstances can often work in changed circumstances later on.”
Want to learn more and help their campaign?
If you’re visiting the South Coast and want to learn more about the region’s forests, you’re welcome to contact SERCA.
To support their legal campaigns, you can contribute to SEFR’s current fundraiser:
SEFR v FCNSW – Battle for Greater Gliders (via Chuffed)
Follow SERCA on social media to stay up to date and help amplify their work.
Images above: Stockpiles of native forest woodchips at Eden chipmill, and Fridays4Forests outreach stall at Bega farmers' market.
