The NSW forestry industry is claiming that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has forced them to shut down operations across New South Wales (NSW) due to new rules protecting the habitat of the endangered greater gliders. The industry states that the EPA did not allow enough time to comply with the regulations, leading to the sudden shutdown.
The greater glider was listed as endangered in July 2022 after a significant decline in populations over the past two decades. The new rule mandates the protection of any tree where a glider is found, along with the establishment of a 25-meter logging exclusion zone around it for the duration of forestry operations.
The government-owned Forestry Corporation ceased 15 harvesting operations in state forests nearly two weeks ago, citing insufficient time to adjust to the EPA’s new rule. The industry is facing significant financial losses, with no clear resolution in sight.
Tim Lester, a spokesperson for the Australian Forest Contractors Association, describes the rule change as substantial and warns of imminent mill closures and impacts on wood supply unless the situation is addressed promptly. The industry has already been grappling with multiple sets of rule changes related to gliders, causing ongoing uncertainty.
Businesses like Anthony Dorney’s in the Bulahdelah area have been forced to shut down sawmills, log hauling, and harvesting operations, resulting in substantial losses. Concerns are growing over the dwindling wood supply as the impasse continues.
Opposition to native forest logging in NSW is intensifying, with organizations like the Australia Institute leading campaigns against the government’s support for the industry. The industry is facing criticism for non-compliance with habitat protection regulations and conducting wildlife surveys during the day, missing crucial data on greater gliders.
The forestry industry is calling for a more coordinated approach from government agencies to minimize the impact of regulatory changes on workers and businesses. The ongoing standoff is causing significant financial strain on industry stakeholders, with no immediate resolution in sight. Please rewrite this sentence.
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