Margaret Cockburn of Cockburn Timber Mill in Warrell Creek said apart from the impact the park would have on their timber supplies, her biggest fear was the bushfire threat that would be created by such a huge swathe of bush.

“While we’re working in the (State) forests, the koalas know we are there and they just move to another tree, but if the forest was closed up and there was a big fire, the koalas could not be saved,” Margaret said.

“I think that enough land is locked up already.”

She said as a timber source, State Forests were important because they supplied certified timber, something many private sources did not.

“A lot of the timber from private land is not certified but some of our suppliers demand that. If I accept uncertified timber, I can get in a lot of trouble.”

She said closing the forests would mean a reduction to their 116,000 tonne annual production and affect their business.

“We have 18 workers but if our supply dropped, we’d have to cut to compensate ... and then you do reach a point where it is not worth the effort.”

Margaret was sceptical about the idea of retraining timber workers.

“Proper training takes a lot of time and that affects production.”

Out Bowraville way, landholder Bob Young responded to Cr Paula Flack’s reported comment that private land could fill the supply gap should State Forests be closed to create the National Park.

“I own a private forest and I’m not going to sell it to make up the shortfall,” Bob said.

“And I believe there are quite a few other private land holders who think like me.

“This would mean that more imported timber would be needed to make up the shortfall - and in countries like Malaysia, that would affect the orangutan population.

“We could end up killing the orangutans, not to mention adding some $50,000 extra onto the cost of building a house in Sydney.”