MEDIA RELEASE 9 March 2026

The Commonwealth and State Government’s recently released maps of national priories for protection to honour their commitment under the Global Biodiversity Framework to protect  30% of Australia by 2030, identifying State Forests in north-east NSW as amongst the very highest priorities, the question is will they now heed their science and protect these forests.

In recognition of the world’s rapidly worsening biodiversity crisis, Commonwealth and State Governments have committed to the Global Biodiversity Framework target to protect 30% of Australia by 2030.

In accordance with the National Roadmap for achieving 30by30 the governments have released maps showing priority areas for protection, identifying State Forests in north-east NSW as amongst the highest priorities in Australia for areas with important biodiversity and ecosystem values and relatively low levels of protection, said NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh.

NEFA have reviewed the 30by30 criteria and maps, along with supporting information: Stopping logging north-east NSW’s public forests is an important step to meet Australia’s goal to protect 30% of its lands by 2030.