The vice president of Timber NSW says the just-implemented Koala State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) will cripple agriculture, private native forestry and development across the state.
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Steve Dobbyns has also hit out at the lack of consultation by the state government prior to implementing the new SEPP.
Mr Dobbyns painted a dire picture for the future of land use adding that it will "basically close down the private native forestry industry".
The koala habitat protection SEPP replaces the former SEPP 44.
It now includes a new definition of core koala habitat, two maps to help protect koalas across NSW, and the most up-to-date tree species data.
The department of planning, industry and environment says the policy intent of SEPP 44 has been retained in the koala habitat protection SEPP. The new SEPP came into being on March 1, 2020.
Key to the Koala SEPP is a new definition of core koala habitat which the department says makes it easier for areas with demonstrated koala presence to be recognised and protected.
Under the previous SEPP 44, the department says, demonstrating an area contained core koala habitat - required evidence of a resident population of koalas, with such attributes as breeding females with young and a historical record of the population - and could be impractical and difficult to achieve.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said the Koala SEPP provides new guidelines.
"Now more than ever we need to be protecting these iconic Australian animals," she said.
Now more than ever we need to be protecting these iconic Australian animals.
- Leslie Williams
"The new guideline for the Koala SEPP are currently on exhibition and I encourage members of the community and key stakeholders across Port Macquarie to have their say and share their feedback.
"The new Koala SEPP introduces rigorous new consultation requirements for councils when preparing Koala Plans of Management, to ensure consistency across NSW and provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to have their say during the development of KPoMs."
Mr Dobbyns says the new SEPP will prohibit activities for farmers and add costs to developments in impacted areas.
"I don't think anyone objects to protecting koalas, which was the original idea behind the former SEPP 44," he said.
"This is about rezoning lands that koalas may find as suitable habitat.
"From a forest management point of view, there is already four or five pieces of legislation protecting koalas and their habitat.
"A SEPP is designed to guide development in urban areas and be used in a rural setting."
Mr Dobbyns was also critical of the lack of consultation in introducing the new SEPP following a "failed bid in 2016".
He says the department dusted off that attempt prior to Christmas and slipped it through.
"There has been no consultation with affected landowners, developers, the private native forest industry, NSW Farmers or any group that could be affected by the new SEPP," he said.
"It will basically close down the private native forestry (PNF) industry across NSW.
"PNF is not allowed to be undertaken in core koala habitat. The new SEPP changes the definition and they are making it easier to tag core koala habitat areas.
"The new SEPP changes the number of feed tree species from 10 up to 123 across the state. Koalas don't actually eat some of the tree species added to that list."
The new SEPP changes the number of feed tree species from 10 up to 123 across the state. Koalas don't actually eat some of the tree species added to that list.
- Steve Dobbyns
Mr Dobbyns said most koala deaths occur from vehicle strikes, disease, other wildlife, pests and habitat fragmentation.
"None of those activities are attributable to PNF," he added.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has only just received the guidelines for the new Koala SEPP which are currently being reviewed.
A report will be prepared for the April council meeting.
The Port News contacted the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital for comment.
Further information about the Koala SEPP and form to make a submission on the Guidelines can be found at the planning NSW website.
Submissions close on the 30th March.
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