The Nature Conservation Council NSW is leading a petition to save the tallest known Spotted gum tree in the world from the effects of native forest logging.

 

At 71m tall, ‘Big Spotty’ is the world’s tallest Spotted gum and is found on the NSW South Coast.

Within the next three months, native forest logging is set to begin in North Brooman State Forest where the 500-year-old tree resides. Due to its enormous size, Big Spotty heavily relies on the surrounding forest to secure it during storms, protect its roots, stabilise soils, and reduce the severity of bushfires.

Technically Big Spotty has no legislated protections, but during past logging operations Forestry Corporation NSW has declared the mammoth tree significant and given it a 60m-radius exclusion zone, and intends to do so in the future.

 

Calls to Save Big Spotty’s Forest

The Nature Conservation Council NSW is calling for the NSW Government to declare the North Brooman State Forest the Big Spotty Flora Reserve, bringing it within the NSW National Parks estate and permanently protecting it from logging.

A petition to save Big Spotty’s forest has already received over 12,000 signatures.

The petition also asks the NSW Government to work with Traditional Owners, tourism providers, and the local community to increase public access to the tree, including:

  • A 50m boardwalk and viewing platform at the tree
  • A car park and directional signage
  • Signage at Big Spotty to explain the ecological, cultural, and historic significance of the tree and forest
  • A shallow boot bath to encourage visitors to disinfect their shoes
  • A walking track from the town of Termeil to Big Spotty

 

@hayden.griffith

Part of a Bigger Vision

The asks in the petition to protect Big Spotty and the North Brooman State Forest are the first step in the long-term vision for large scale protection of the connected forest landscapes of NSW’s South Coast.

This would be known as the Great Southern Forest, and include all remaining native forest within the catchment of the Clyde River and stretch from the Shoalhaven to the Victorian Border.

 

Feature photo by Andy Kaineder

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