Forest logging plan sparks outrage

Environmental groups in the Eurobodalla, in south-east NSW, are up in arms again following confirmation that the NSW Government will allow contract logging of local state forests.

The news the Upper Deua and Badga state forests will be opened up to logging for at least the next 12 months has again pitted sections of the local community against the Carr Government.

Last month, the proposal for the establishment of a charcoal plant at Mogo was also approved.

According to Chris Kowel, the Eurobodalla community does not support the logging of these forests and has been campaigning for years to protect them from logging.

He says the Upper Deua Forest is considered to be an icon of the area and any intensification of logging in the Badga Forest will ultimately threaten the quality of the area's water supply.

"It flows into the Tuross River, it's at the head of the Tuross catchment and the Tuross is one of the three main streams which augment the Eurobodalla water supply," he said.

"Intensification has a major impact on the ability of the catchment to provide clean water."