Environmental groups are calling for logging operations in parts of New South Wales to be suspended until the impact of the summer bushfires on wildlife can be assessed.
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital estimates that 83 per cent of the state's koala habitats — along with the habitats of other native creatures — were destroyed during the crisis.
Susie Russell, of the North East Forest Alliance, said her concerns for koalas in the Comboyne State Forest had increased since COVID-19 restrictions were imposed, rendering activists unable to protest.
"While we're [staying home] I'm told that the log trucks are coming out of there loaded with logs," she said.
"It is an area that has recently had koala activity."
Logger highlights exclusion zones
Ms Russell wrote to the State-owned Forestry Corporation explaining that a neighbour had reported hearing koala activity in the logging area and asking that operations cease, but said she heard nothing back.
Ms Russell and some locals went to the site in an attempt to halt the work, but were moved on by police.
"It's a real tragedy that this [logging] is happening while we are pretty much forced to stay at home," she said.
"But those driving the trucks and knocking over trees are free to do so unimpeded."
Forestry Corporation told ABC in a statement that it reviewed koala records in the area and carried out thorough searches for koalas ahead of operations.
It noted that large areas of the compartment in question were permanent exclusion zones that were left untouched as habitat.
Forestry Corporation stated that it was undertaking selective harvesting in native forest areas and was assessing every operation to ensure strict regulations are adhered to.
Calls for pause
Environmental groups are calling for a halt to logging in native forests across the state until a thorough assessment of the ecological impact of the fires is completed and made public.
Nature Conservation Council (NCC) chief executive Chris Gambian says approvals given prior to fires, when there was a different set of circumstances for conservation and ecological values, should be reassessed.
"The bushfires have fundamentally changed the calculus on that stuff," Mr Gambian said.
"Habitat has been lost, wildlife corridors have been lost.
"Let's just pause, take stock, have a proper understanding of what the fires have meant for endangered animals and hollow-bearing trees and recommence when we know it is sustainable to do so."
Mr Gambian said he is conscious that communities up and down the coast that depend on logging and that ceasing operations would affect those communities.
"The State Government also needs to support those communities with a compensation package to sawmills, loggers, and everybody who relies on the industry for their livelihood," he said.
A spokesperson for Deputy Premier John Barilaro told the ABC in a statement that regional communities have been devastated by the recent bushfires and sustainable timber harvesting is crucial to rebuilding the sector and maintaining jobs.
"The community will have a high demand for renewable timber for rebuilding after the fires, in particular for power poles, structural timbers for girders, and flooring for houses," the spokesperson said.
"Following the fires, 70 per cent of Forestry Corporation's harvesting operations on the north coast were moved into hardwood plantations."
