Letter to the Editor: We need leadership on timber losses

DEAR News Of The Area,

THE Australian people and our national economy are expected to shoulder an unquantified financial burden in the pursuit of net zero, a policy that, even if achieved, will have a negligible global impact on climate change.

Australia accounts for around one percent of global emissions, meaning our efforts as a nation have little effect.

The real risk lies with the nearly 99 percent of emissions beyond Australia’s control.

In our region, the timber industry faces the axe (pun not intended) due to federal and state Labor governments and their push for net zero: irrespective of the impacts on employment, economic stability and the associated supply chain effects.

Our region will be impacted by direct economic hardship while forcing NSW to rely upon imported overseas timber or face shortages in related industries, driving up costs during a time of immense cost of living pressures.

I commend the Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold for her ongoing advocacy, as highlighted in this publication (‘Timber Turmoil’, 21 November 2025).

Ms Penfold has rightly voiced the concerns of many in our region about the Labor government’s plans to close sustainable forestry operations, driven by net zero initiatives and the desire to establish a Great Koala National Park.

However, in contrast, State Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer, has remained largely silent.

This is unlike his state parliamentary colleagues, Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, and Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson, who are active supporters of the sustainable timber industry along the Mid North Coast, and who have cited the latest reports from the CSIRO and Forestry Australia as credible scientific evidence.

In fairness, Mr Dwyer’s eNewsletter from July 2025 includes a brief mention of a visit to a local timber mill.

He said: “The timber industry was the backbone of the European early settlement of the Hastings region and continues to flourish today… I now have a much better understanding of the timber industry and the valuable contribution it makes to the local economy.”

Nonetheless, actions are more significant than just words.

So, I call on Mr Dwyer to explain his reasons for leaving the NSW Legislative Assembly in September 2025, abstaining from debate and voting on a motion about the proposed Koala National Park, one which explicitly called for a moratorium on timber harvesting within its boundaries.

Does Mr Dwyer support the timber industry, and will he champion it in state parliament? Remaining silent on such a crucial issue for this region does not demonstrate leadership, and the community deserves to know where exactly he stands, and how he plans to advocate his chosen position in the NSW Parliament.

Regards,
Todd LYNCH,
King Creek.