Official action on native forest logging in the Eurobodalla is on hold, at least until council can source more background information on the hot-button issue.
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In the wake of last week's Parliamentary Inquiry into the Future of the Logging Industry, which sat at Moruya, Councillor Alison Worthington today tabled a notice of motion for Eurobodalla Shire Council to support ending native forest logging in the region.
The motion was split into seven actions, including formally noting facts related to native forest logging, acknowledging community sentiment, and lobbying state government agencies and MPs.
During debate, Cr Tubby Harrison raised concerns of objectivity within the notice of motion. He proposed council seek more information from the Parliamentary Inquiry, NSW Forestry Corporation, and industry experts on forestry practices.
While a move to defer the entire seven-point motion was struck down, Councillors went on to discuss each individual element at Cr Worthington's insistence.
During debate, she said councillors should consider the local residents who spoke about native forest logging at this morning's public access session.
"We've had some great submissions from the public forum today," Cr Worthington said.
"People have bothered to come into the room to address us in the council chamber.
"I think it deserves discussion among Councillors."
Noting the community members who did speak at the public forum, Cr Harrison said in debate that he would like to hear additional viewpoints before making final decisions on the motion.
"It's clear that we've heard a particular point of view this morning," he said.
"Additional and balanced information is not being presented at this point to the rest of the council.
"I won't be voting in the affirmative for any of these seven points until we've had the opportunity to listen to points of view that may not be represented by some of the folk today."
What was in this notice of motion?
The notice of motion was titled Eurobodalla Shire Council supports an end to native forest logging in Eurobodalla Shire.
It proposed targeted advocacy by Council to the NSW state government, its ministers, and shadow ministers.
MPs on the list included Premier Dominic Perrotet, agriculture minister Dugald Saunders, and Treasurer Matt Kean (who owns shares in the Forestry Corporation of New South Wales).
Other points asked for council to make formal note of information about logging, note what other states have done in this space, and acknowledge community sentiment.
In full, the notice of motion proposed that council:
- Notes the growing evidence that native forest logging by Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) in our State Forests is both economically and environmentally unsustainable.
- Notes that logging in our State Forests is incompatible with our shire's and our region's investments in nature-based tourism enterprises, climate change mitigation and the protection of biodiversity.
- Advocates to the NSW State government for the urgent development of a plan for the just transition of the native forest industry to ecologically sustainable plantations.
- Notes that both WA and Victorian State Governments have announced such transitions and have provided end dates for native forest logging of 2024 and 2030 respectively.
- Acknowledges and responds to the calls from concerned south coast residents for better management of State Forests to support nature-based tourism enterprises, recreational usage, threatened species habitat protection and carbon sequestration.
- Advocate that the NSW State government enact plans to manage our State Forests, in partnership with south coast communities and local councils, for their nature-based tourism assets, recreational opportunities, biodiversity values and for carbon sequestration.
- Write to the NSW Premier Dominic Perrotet, the Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders, and the shareholder Ministers for FCNSW the Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean, and the Minister for Finance and Employee Relations Damien Tudehope, along with the relevant Shadow Ministers.
So, what now?
In light of the passed motions to defer, Council will now seek further information on each of the matters.
Based on debate in the chamber, it is understood Council will ask NSW Forestry Corporation about the organisation's profitability and viability; discussions are also likely to occur with local tourism operators impacted by this issue.
In moderating debate, Mayor Mat Hatcher said his top priority is getting the facts together.
"We need Forestry at the table, need a briefing from council, and need to speak to those tourism operators," he said.
"I want to gather all the facts and I think there are other councillors in the room who feel the same way."
The current deferrals are active until council receives the extra information it has requested. At this stage, there is no set date for when the motion will return to the council chamber.