Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the strong objection to the proposed harvesting of Beerwah State Forest Lot 1 AP 22457. The conservation status of the koala has recently changed to 'endangered' in Queensland. Residents believe that compliance assessment of Ferny Forest for koalas and koala habitat with the requirements of the EPBC Act 1999 and NC Act 1992 is not sufficient to protect koalas, and the other 53 threatened species which rely on habitat identified in Ferny Forest, from the very high risk of extinction in the wild. The Australia State of the Environment report 2021 states the Sunshine Coast has already experienced significant forest and woodland habitat loss over the last decade. The transition of remaining native forests like Ferny Forest into protected area as soon as possible is a critical part of providing habitat for the recovery of the koala and many other threatened species from the brink of extinction. Ferny Forest is part of the Sunshine Coast UNESCO Biosphere and has great tourism values for the Sunshine Coast region with annual events like TREX Cross Triathlon Sunshine Coast, this year scheduled for 22 October 2022. 

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to block the imminent logging from going ahead and fast-track Beerwah State Forest Lot 1 AP 22457 into National Park as part of Mooloolah River National Park.