Bermagui State Forest Koala Survey Extract from NSW Legislative Council Hansard and Papers Tuesday 28 October 2008 (Proof).   BERMAGUI STATE FOREST KOALA SURVEY Page: 27   Mr IAN COHEN: My question is directed to the Minister for Primary Industries. Can he explain the process behind the new koala survey method used in surveying Bermagui State Forest compartments 2004 and 2005? To what extent did the survey find evidence of the presence of koalas, which of course is koala droppings? Can he advise what actions he or Forests New South Wales will take against contractors if they failed to halt logging upon the sighting of koalas?   The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I thank Mr Ian Cohen for his question. Over a period the honourable member has raised issues relevant to forestry, and basically his position seems to be that we should cease native forestry activity in many parts of the State. I point out to him that round the turn of the century, a number of agreements were struck which led to a massive 5.5 million hectares of State Forest land being incorporated within the National Estate, so there has been a significant transfer of native forest.   The Hon. Marie Ficarra: What about the koalas?   The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I will come to koalas in a minute. I will answer the question my way, thank you. The issue is that there is a relatively small percentage of that former State Forest estate held by Forest New South Wales to meet 20-year wood supply agreements under a Forestry Industry Structural Adjustment Program [FISAP] entered into in recent years. Those agreements have led to the regeneration of the industry and considerable improvements in the technology employed in activities of the region. In relation to the Bermagui State Forest, it is a 183-hectare forest. It was logged selectively 20 years ago and clear-felled some time before that. It is not an old growth forest. Secondly, an extensive survey was undertaken by Forests New South Wales. I believe it is a very scientific and well-balanced study and it shows that there was no permanent colony of koalas in that area.   In relation to the spotting of koalas, the practice would lead to the assessment of that colony, and I believe that would be checked out and monitored. The point is that we need to supply in accordance with wood supply agreements. They are 20-year agreements and they have a fair amount of time left. Many workers are involved on the South Coast and indeed on the North Coast in this industry. If we were to pull out from providing this hardwood, given that the demand for timber is not decreasing despite the economic downturn*there is still a lot of demand for timber products in New South Wales*it would lead to increased importation of timber. That timber most likely would come from South-East Asia or Brazil, or one of the countries the environmental protocols of which are far inferior to protocols that are available and enforced in New South Wales in relation to the selective harvesting of forests.   We are committed to sustainable harvesting of the remaining forest. We do not believe the koalas are under threat. We believe that that is a furphy that has been put about by people who have no evidence. I have seen their statements relating to the south-east forests. There is no scientific evidence. Forest New South Wales is right. It has done the work, and I believe the forest is being sustainably logged.   Mr IAN COHEN: I ask a supplementary question. The Minister clearly said that the department is committed to logging in that area. Does the Minister agree that the export of woodchips, described by a former Federal Minister as "a bastard of an industry", is absolutely overcommitting the resources of that area?   The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: Again, the member states an inaccuracy. These forests are valuable saw logs used for a number of different products that are in high demand.   Mr Ian Cohen: It is the wood chipping*   The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: Wait a second! The woodchip component of it is in the field of residues, and that is created in the process of felling these trees. No timber company would convert saw logs to woodchip. That is just economically insane. +++++++++++++   Bermagui State Forest Logging Protests Extract from NSW Legislative Council Hansard and Papers Tuesday 28 October 2008 (Proof). Page: 25   Ms LEE RHIANNON: I direct my question to the Minister for Police. Did officers stationed at Batemans Bay police station in collaboration with Forest New South Wales hold a meeting at the Bermagui Country Club in September to warn locals associated with calling for forest protection not to protest when logging commenced in the Bermagui State Forests? Does the holding of this meeting reflect that Batemans Bay police officers have adopted a zero tolerance policing approach to forest protesters? Considering that since logging started in Bermagui State Forest on 27 October with a group of about 40 protesters gathered in the vicinity, about 15 police cars, more than 20 police, including members of the Public Order and Riot Squad, a mobile police command bus and two police rescue vans have been in attendance, will this level of policing continue for the coming six weeks of logging in this area? What is the anticipated cost of this operation?   The Hon. TONY KELLY: The Far South Coast Local Area Command of the New South Wales Police Force has been advised that New South Wales Forests is to commence logging compartments of Bermagui State Forest later this month. As in the past, protests are expected. As always, the New South Wales Police Force is committed to maintaining public order. For this reason, local police and various commands, including the Public Order and Riot Squad, Highway Patrol and Rescue Squad will join together to conduct an operation. This operation will focus on ensuring the protection of persons engaged in lawful activities. Local police have made it clear that anyone engaging in unlawful or dangerous activity in or near the logging operation will have action taken against them. When offences continue and are considered dangerous, police will arrest and charge people as necessary. Police respect people's rights to protest during these times; in no way are they looking to prevent lawful and peaceful protests. Police have asked anyone who intends to protest to contact them so that they can attempt to facilitate lawful activity, minimise disruption and focus on protecting the safety of everyone involved.