MEDIA RELEASE 13 March 2026

NEFA welcomes the Forestry Corporation being order to pay $450,000 for forest restoration for their illegal logging of six giant, and three hollow-bearing, trees in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest, near Dorrigo, in 2020

“These illegally logged trees are over 300 years old, priceless relicts predating European colonization, they are irreplaceable, said NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh.

“In today’s judgement in the Land and Environment Court, in lieu of paying a fine to the Government Justice Pain ordered $450,000 to be paid to the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) to carry out Court approved restorative justice actions, including a healing ceremony, biocultural site repair plans, cultural mapping and the training of rangers as Gumbaynggirr Guardians.

“Court costs have been reserved, so the final payout is likely to be far greater.

Illegally felled giant tree, over 300 years old, and left to rot