Hi All,

A preliminary DECCW report released yesterday confirmed that there is a small healthy recovering population of about 50 koalas on the N.S.W. south coast.  Forests N.S.W. intends to log these forests (probably for firewood) irrespective of the findings, possibly as early as Monday. This will almost certainly spell the end for these koalas, which are nearly extinct on the south coast.

It’s been shown that letters and phone calls, especially to your local members, are one of the most effective ways of getting politicians to respond – better than emails. On the other hand, since time is very short, a letter, email or phone call to one of the pollies below might be the best strategy.

It would be great if you could adapt this letter in any way you want and send it.

The Hon Ian Macdonald, MLC,

Minister for Mineral and Forest Resources

Governor Macquarie Tower
Level 36, 1 Farrer Place,

SYDNEY NSW 2000

macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au

OR

Premier Kristina Keneally

Member for Heffron,

Shop 117, 747  Botany Road,

ROSEBERY NSW 2018

premier@nsw.gov.au

Example Letter:

Dear          ,

Your urgent action is needed to save the koalas of the far south coast.

The preliminary DECCW report, released yesterday, confirmed a small healthy recovering population of about 50 koalas on the NSW south coast, in the Mumbulla forest. Forests NSW intends to log this forest very soon, irrespective of the findings of this report, of any debate on the findings, or of the public release of the full report, including the koala habitat mapping.

In addition, the compartments will be burnt after logging, which will further decimate the remaining koalas. Logging and burning could result in the extinction of south coast koalas, by destroying habitat and expansionary corridors, and by directly killing koalas in both surveyed and unsurveyed areas. Compartments in other as yet unsurveyed forests are also due to be logged and burnt in the near future, and these may also contain small populations of recovering koalas that have not yet been identified.

Australia’s top koala experts recognise the far south coast as a region where our national icon is in serious trouble. Koalas have a range up to 50km, so leaving small ‘cells’ for koala habitats is not effective to safeguard populations. These koalas need space if their population is going to grow to a viable size, capable of withstanding disease, drought and fire. Koalas must find trees with nutrient rich leaves for their highly specialised diet, and males need to find new territory. The requirements of koalas are poorly understood, so it is impossible to ascertain what trees they will need, and in which direction they will need to move.

These forests are also home to other endangered species, such as Long-Nosed Potoroos, Sooty Owls and Eastern Grey Headed Flying Foxes, as well as being critical habitat for the endangered Swift Parrot.

The NSW government appears to be placing very short sighted interests over the survival of this courageous animal, over our natural heritage and over the expansion of industries such as tourism on the south coast. The koala, one of our iconic native animals, could face destruction in these forests, for the sake of a very short term supply of woodchips and sawlogs, when there are now enough plantation resources on-line in Australia to ensure that no native forest needs to be logged.

The NSW Labour government has a wonderful opportunity here to demonstrate its environmental credentials in the lead up to the next election. We don’t believe that this Labour government will want to leave the demise of the koala on the south coast as part of its legacy. You can save these animals and we are asking you to act now by putting an immediate halt to logging in the south east forests. 

Yours sincerely,