From the Newsroom

From the Newsroom

No logging on public land motion deferred

July 5, 2023
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Rodney Stevens

 

Clarence Valley Council has deferred a motion calling for native forest logging on public land to be phased out until its October meeting to allow a report to be prepared and feedback to be sought from industry groups.

About 25 minutes into the June 27 meeting, councillors resolved to suspend the standing orders of the meeting and introduce the motion to phase out native forest logging on public land so it could be debated earlier for the benefit of those in the gallery.

The motion was brought to council after it had been discussed several times by the Biodiversity Advisory Committee and Eurobodalla Shire Council, Bellingen Shire Council and Mid Coast Council have recently adopted resolutions calling for the phasing out of logging on public land.

Cr Debrah Novak moved the motion which was seconded by Cr Steve Pickering that council:

  1. Defer ITEM 07.23.092 – Call to Phase out Native Forest Logging on Public Land till the October 2023 ordinary Council meeting.
  2. Request the general manager prepare a report with their recommendation for ITEM 07.23.092 for the October 2023 ordinary Council meeting.
  3. Invite written feedback on ITEM 07.23.092 from the following industry groups: NSW CFMEU (Manufacturing), NSW Forestry Corporation, Big River Timbers, Mashall Notaras & Sons Pty Ltd, Koppers Australia, Coffs Harbour Hardwood, Local Land Services, EPA and Timber NSW (Chairperson Andrew Hurford) and other interested parties and the wider Clarence Valley community via a media release.
  4. Discuss the ITEM 07.23.092 – Call to Phase Out Native Logging on Public Land at a council workshop to be held before the October meeting.

“It’s really important that we take this out to the community and have a conversation with them and that includes industry,” Cr Novak said.

Cr Steve Pickering said this was a big issue for the timber industry in the region, who employ a lot of people, and they definitely need to be invited to make comment on this item.

The motion was supported eight votes to one, with Cr Karen Toms voting against.

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