Anger is brewing about a Queensland government proposal to log native forest near the Glass House Mountains just two years before it becomes conservation land.
The plan is uniting mountain bikers, community members, and conservation groups who are questioning the logic of the harvest.
Save Ferny Forest group member Teena Chumbley said residents were working around the clock to ensure the logging did not go ahead.
"It really doesn't make sense that in less than two years' time this is going to be a conservation site," Ms Chumbley said.
"I don't know what will be left to conserve because there will be so much damage to it."
All native, state-owned forestry in south-east Queensland will become conservation land by the end of 2024 under the Queensland government's Native Timber Action Plan.
A petition with more than 2,000 signatures opposing the logging is before parliament, adding to a 22,000-person strong petition online.
"The value of this forest standing — in terms of carbon sequestration, cultural recreation, and biodiversity — is extremely important," Ms Chumbley said.
Signs showing the government's plans to selectively harvest some species of hardwood trees in parts of the Beerwah State Forest in 2022 were put up in December last year.
A Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) spokesperson said a decision had not been made on the proposed selective harvest.
"The Queensland government continues to engage with a range of stakeholders including recreational forest users, local conservation groups, traditional owners, and others as part of its harvest planning activities," the spokesperson said.
"The proposed harvesting operations would be the final selective harvest of this area."
The purpose of the plan, the spokesperson said, was to ensure decisions about the future of timber harvesting in Queensland would support a sustainable industry that also delivered conservation outcomes.
A Kabi Kabi traditional owner said the group had been engaged by DAF to discuss the cultural significance of the area.
Popular haven
Ferny Forest is 129 hectares of native woodland, part of the Beerwah State Forest.
Each month, an average of 1,200 people visit the forest and its mountain biking and hiking trails.
Logging would prohibit recreational use.
Caloundra Off Road Cycling Association (CORCA) president Stephen Ossedryver said the mountain biking community had volunteered hours of its time and secured $6,500 worth of grants to preserve the trails.
"Hours, half days, on the end of a shovel and wheelbarrow. Blood sweat and tears," Mr Ossedryver said.
"It's a lovely natural space and I guess a lot of people would like to keep it that way."
Under the proposal, eight species of hardwood would be harvested for use in building projects across Australia.
According to DAF, the forest would not be cleared and the harvest would leave some forest cover and large trees for animal habitats.
"Is it a money grab? I can't see any other benefit for the community," Mr Ossedryver said.
More forest, bigger picture
A report by Protected Area Solutions, commissioned by the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC), found 70,000 hectares of native woodland across south-east Queensland should be saved immediately, two years before it is due to transition to conservation land.
QCC director Dave Copeman said the land had high conservation value.
"This is areas of remnant forest, where there's either rainforest or koala habitat or greater glider habitat, which we really strongly need to protect as soon as possible to make sure we hold on to those conservation values," Mr Copeman said.
Ferny Forest, which makes up 13 per cent of the Beerwah State Forest, was recommended for conservation in the report.
"Obviously from an ecological point of view, that would be a disaster."
The Palaszczuk government committed to transferring 20,000 hectares of state native forest to conservation land before the end of 2024, but has not confirmed what area will be saved prior to the blanket cut-off.
"It would be devastating to see that good intent wasted because they didn't act quickly enough to protect important forest like Ferny Forest," Mr Copeman said.
Those dedicated to the cause are eagerly awaiting the announcement.
"Until the first tree falls we will be doing everything that we can to prevent that from happening," Ms Chumbley said.
