Moratorium and support for timber industry
There is a moratorium on timber harvesting in those state forests in the Great Koala National Park assessment area. View the GKNP State Forests in Assessment Area (PDF 58.94KB).
This means that harvesting operations in these forests have ceased, and no new operations will commence.
The cessation of harvesting activities in the GKNP assessment area does not include the removal of timber already felled before the commencement of the moratorium, nor ongoing forest management operations for purposes other than timber production from native forests, including operations for fire management, and road and trail management.
The moratorium will be in place for up to 12 months from Monday 8 September 2025, while the details of transitioning state forests to national parks are investigated and negotiated.
The moratorium only applies to timber harvesting and does not affect operations outside the designated area or on private land. Private Native Forestry remains permitted with appropriate approvals.
During this period, there will be no change to existing recreational and commercial uses, including licenses or permit conditions.
The Government recognises there will be challenges with the transition and is committed to working with local communities every step of the way.
More information about the support available during the moratorium is on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.
Support available for impacted workers
Forestry Industry Worker Support Program
The Forestry Industry Worker Support Program provides comprehensive financial assistance to employees of Wood Supply Agreement holders and to employees of harvesting and haulage operators contracted by the Forestry Corporation of NSW directly impacted by the Great Koala National Park moratorium.
The Worker Support Package includes:
- Top-up redundancy payments – employees will receive four weeks of base pay (inclusive of employer redundancy payment) per year of employment with an impacted timber mill or harvesting and haulage operator, capped at $150,000.
- Additional support for employees over 45 years of age - a further three weeks of pay for every year of service after the age of 45 (up to a cap of $50,000), to be calculated separately from the top-up redundancy payment
- Education and training payments - of up to $9,000 for retraining and upskilling.
- Relocation payments - of up to $45,000 for affected workers who move more than 50 kilometres for new employment.
- Free access to mental health support, and financial and legal guidance - TELUS Health is the contracted organisation to assist affected workers and their immediate families. Contact TELUS Health on 1800 835 871 and reference "GKNP Moratorium Industry Support Program" or visit one.telushealth.com and enter username: "gknp" and password "wellbeing".
Great Koala National Park Worker Support Package fact sheet (PDF, 76.08 KB)
For more eligibility information, please refer to the program guidelines (PDF, 539.78 KB).
Mental health support
Mental health and counselling services are available to impacted workers and their immediate families.
The TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program offers free, confidential and 24/7 mental health, financial and legal counselling services to affected employees and their immediate family. Contact TELUS Health on 1800 835 871 and reference "GKNP Moratorium Industry Support Program" or visit one.telushealth.com and enter username: "gknp" and password "wellbeing".
Rural Financial Counselling Service
The Rural Financial Counselling Service can provide support to impacted forestry industry businesses. For more information, visit rfcsnr.org.au
Worker Support services
Worker Support services are also available via Enterprise and Training Company (ETC Ltd). This service provides on-the-ground one-to-one support for workers impacted by the GKNP moratorium. Representatives from ETC Ltd are available to assist impacted workers in applying for grant programs and other industry transition matters, such as training and employment. Affected workers can contact the locally based Support Service Coordinator at the Enterprise and Training Company (ETC Ltd) on 0458 118 145 or stacey.connell@etcltd.com.au
Training support
- Affected workers will also have access to training support. Local Training Services NSW staff will be available to provide tailored skills advice and assist in identifying suitable job opportunities.
- Training Services can provide independent support and advice on NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET). Affected workers considering alternative employment can access training support and advice through Training Services NSW staff. Training Services can support access to a range of training products through their network of accredited training providers. This may include full qualifications or part qualifications (micro credentials / short courses) to fill identified skills gaps and support transition to new employment.
- For more information, visit training.nsw.gov.au or contact your local Training Services Officers Jackie Martinson at Jacqueline.Martinson1@det.nsw.edu.au and Gerard Geerligs at Gerard.Geerligs1@det.nsw.edu.au, or on 13 28 11.
Frequently asked questions
The Forestry Industry Worker Support Program is providing comprehensive financial assistance to employees of Wood Supply Agreement holders and to employees of harvesting and haulage operators contracted by the Forestry Corporation of NSW directly impacted by the Great Koala National Park moratorium.
The Worker Support Package includes:
- top-up redundancy payments – employees will receive 4 weeks of base pay (inclusive of employer redundancy payment) per year of employment with an impacted timber mill or harvesting and haulage operator, capped at $150,000.
- additional support for employees over 45 years of age - a further 3 weeks of pay for every year of service after the age of 45 (up to a cap of $50,000), to be calculated separately from the top up redundancy payment.
- education and training payments - of up to $9,000 for retraining and upskilling.
- relocation payments - of up to $45,000 for affected workers who move more than 50km for new employment.
- free access to mental health support, and financial and legal guidance - Telus Health is the contracted organisation to assist affected workers and their immediate families. Contact Telus Health on 1800 835 871 and reference "GGKNP Moratorium Industry Support Program" or visit one.telushealth.com and enter username: "gknp" and password "wellbeing".
The NSW Government has worked directly with impacted mills and harvest and haulage operators that are affected by the reduction in timber supply resulting from the moratorium.
The Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program is providing financial support to eligible businesses impacted by the moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed boundary of the Great Koala National Park.
The program is providing up to $100,000 to downstream businesses that have contracts with sawmills or contractors impacted by the moratorium. Funding will help downstream businesses that relied on hardwood or wood by-products sourced from an impacted sawmill to cover the incremental cost difference of sourcing similar products, including increased freight costs. Up to $100,000 is available per eligible approved business.
The program is also providing financial support to eligible businesses to assist with their business planning and associated costs. Under the program, eligible businesses will be able to access funding of up to $25,000 to cover the costs of professional advice and business planning to support businesses in making informed decisions about their future.
Up to $250,000 will also be available to help eligible businesses implement their plans, including activities that support transitioning to a new business model. This could include costs for the purchase or upgrade of equipment and machinery, advice on tax, legal and marketing strategies, as well as other transition costs such as disposal or site remediation.
No. The moratorium does not impact the arrangements for harvesting timber on private land.
Private Native Forestry is permitted with the appropriate approvals from Local Land Services.
The number of workers who will be impacted will be finalised over the next 12 months.
It is estimated that the reduction in timber supply will result in impacts on up to 300 jobs in the industry covering, harvest, haulage, milling and in Forestry Corporation NSW.
More than 100 new staff will be required at NPWS to deliver fire management, feral animal and weed control, ecological rehabilitation and visitor management.
Impacted Forestry Corporation workers will be prioritised for new roles created within NPWS.
The NSW Government will develop a $6 million Community Grants package. The package will support initiatives that grow the region’s domestic and international tourism opportunities and support local businesses to develop and expand, with a focus on manufacturing. The NSW Government will announce further details about this plan soon.