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Letter sent to Ministers et al January 2026

Dear….

Friends of Pine Creek would like to congratulate the Labor Government on the announcement of the proposed Great Koala National Park (GKNP) and the moratorium on logging within its boundaries. Both the moratorium and the extent of the GKNP have been warmly welcomed by environmental groups and local communities, and will greatly enhance the reputation of both Bellingen and Coffs Harbour Shires as ecologically responsible tourism destinations.

However, we must highlight an important issue not addressed by the proposed GKNP: the matter of connectivity.

Friends of Pine Creek have long advocated for the Forest Bridge Proposal as an essential measure to secure landscape connectivity. The proposal has consistently received strong support from environmental organisations, councils, and local communities for inclusion within the GKNP. Over several years we have maintained extensive correspondence with the Minister for the Environment, the EPA, and the Minister for Forestry. The importance of Pine Creek State Forest for koalas has been well established by a substantial body of scientific research, including:

* Detection Dogs for Conservation, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2024: Genetic analysis of koala scats from Coffs Harbour, Bellingen Shire and Nambucca Valley LGAs (for the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance).

* Mr Peter Richards, 2023: Field Survey in parts of Pine Creek State Forest compartments 15, 16, 17 and 18.

* Andrew Smith & John Pile, 2023: Report on koala density, habitat, conservation, and response to logging in eucalyptus forest.

* NSW State Government koala strategy, 2022: A 5year plan to recover populations across NSW

* Sally Radford Miller, 2012: Aspects of the ecology of the koala in a tall coastal production forest in northeastern NSW.

* AMBS, 2012: Investigation of the Impact of Roads on Koalas (prepared for NSW Roads and Maritime Services).

* Smith AP & Andrews S, 1997: Koala Habitat, Abundance and Distribution in the Pine Creek Study Area* (cited in the Koala Management Plan, Pine Creek State Forest, 2000).

* Andrew Smith & Shane Andrews, 1997: Koala conservation and timber production in Pine Creek State Forest.

* John Turner & Marcia J. Lambert, 1983: Nutrient Cycling with a 27-Year-Old Eucalyptus grandis Plantation in NSW.

* NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: Koala Hubs mapping.

Public support for the Forest Bridge Proposal is further reflected in the e-petition exceeding 21,000 signatures, presented to NSW Parliament on 18 September 2024, with signatures continuing to rise.

We would also like to provide an update on the most recent scientific findings, which reinforce the importance of including the necessary native plantation areas to secure koala habitat connectivity between Bongil Bongil National Park and Bindarri National Park both are classified as intergenerationally significant for koalas.

Drone assessments undertaken for the GKNP clearly identified Pine Creek State Forest as the most significant state forest for koalas. The latest NPWS habitat mapping shows the area between Bellingen and Coffs Harbour—including Pine Creek State Forest—as high-quality habitat supporting some of the highest koala densities in the region. CSIRO assessments confirm that koalas are predominantly found east of the Great Dividing Range, favouring lower-lying moist mixed-species forests. These forests will become increasingly vital as the impacts of climate change intensify, helping to mitigate against the effects of drought, fire, and heat stress.

DNA studies already show direct relatedness between koalas in Pine Creek Forest and surrounding forested areas, both private and public. The low-lying coastal forests have been subjected to conversion from mixed species forest to native plantation in such a way that remaining public native forest is being isolated into small patches. Koalas are forced to increasingly rely on adjoining private forest.

Landholders who have entered conservation agreements to protect koalas on their properties are understandably concerned when adjoining public land is subjected to clearfelling by Forestry Corporation of NSW.

Friends of Pine Creek have consistently relied on scientific evidence in advocating for the inclusion of the Forest Bridge Proposal within the Great Koala National Park. We recognise that the final shape of the GKNP is ultimately a political decision. However, we respectfully ask that the science be given full consideration and that the native plantation areas identified in the Forest Bridge Proposal be incorporated into the GKNP, in order to protect and secure this significant mountain-to-sea ecological corridor.

Regards,

Friends of Pine Creek

Bongil Bongil National Park

Bindarri National Park

Forestry NSW plan portal

Federal Government threatened species – Koala

NSW Koala Strategy

NSW Conservation Action Plan for Koalas

Nationally Important Koala Areas (NIKA)

The Great Koala National Park

Back from the Brink – Podcast “My shrinking home – the story of the Koala”

Back from the Brink – Season 1 Episode 3 – Koala