Letter to the editor

The Environment Protection Authority is holding "consultations" next week on new laws known as Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (IFOAs) governing native forest logging in NSW.
I will be one among many forest campaigners around the State boycotting these events.
Why? The outcome is a forgone conclusion with the new laws clearing the legal decks for the industry to go for broke while there are still some trees remaining.
For decades this region has endured of the most intensive logging in the state to supply the Eden chipmill. Governments should now be looking at fair and responsible ways to wind up the industry. They should stop deluding themselves and the public that our forests are a magic pudding that can keep on producing woodchips indefinitely and pretend that environmental values are being protected.
The new draft IFOAs implicitly acknowledge that the far south coast logging will remain the worst in the state. Other regions will catch up a little, but ours will still be the winner in the race to the bottom. Enough is enough!

Harriett Swift

31 May 2018