Saving 'Big Spotty'

This project will mainly take place on the country of the Dhurga language group known as Yuin. We acknowledge and respect the people, the culture and the values of this land that has been nurtured by their ancestors for thousands of years so that we can learn and continue to support this practice - and walk together.

I'm Andy, a filmmaker from Mollymook Beach on a mission to save the forest surrounding the tallest Spotted Gum in the world - Big Spotty and unpack the pros and cons of native forest logging. Unfortunately, through my research so far there aren't many pros, but I'm keeping an open mind so this cannot be passed as 'Greenie propoganda'.

The Issue:

Right now the forest surrounding the tallest known spotted gum in the world - Big Spotty is scheduled to be logged within 6-18months by NSW Forestry. 

In 2004, Old Blotchy was also threatened with logging from NSW Forestry. However after a decade long battle mainly lead by Friend of Durras, the state forest was incorporated into the Murramurang National Park, protecting Old Blotchy and his 3 big friends. We need this level of protection for Big Spotty!

But this is about much more than saving the forest for one tree! 

The majority of our native South Coast forests are being logged for low grade timber products like woodchips to be sent overseas to make throwaway products like paper and pallets, destroying critical habitat for our unique endangered animals like the Greater Glider, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Powerful Owls, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Koala and Swift Parrot. 

Reasons to stop logging:

    •    Logged forests increase the risk and severity of wildfires.

    •    Native forest logging is economically unsustainable.

    •    Logging generates significant greenhouse gas emissions. Intact native forests are important carbon sinks.

    •    The majority of wood from our high value forests are creating low value products like wood chips, paper and firewood. 

    •    These operations destroy critical habitat for our native fauna and flora, including many threatened and endangered species. 

The Film:

The film will be lead by award winning filmmaker Andrew Kaineder as the Director, Producer and on screen talent. 

As a filmmaker and photographer I have witnessed first hand the lack of care and destruction by NSW Forestry. I was apart of a team who highlighted the inadequecy's of their pre-harvest surveying at the end of 2023, forcing the EPA to issue an immediate stop work order. In over 1200 hectares at Tallaganda State Forest, Forestry had only identified only one Greater Glider Den tree. We located 4 in one hour, so you can imagine how many Greater Gliders were present over the entire 1200 hectares. Since then, Forestry Corporation has pulled out of the compartments they were operating in and this technique has been applied in efforts to save other forests, including Flat Rock State Forest near Milton. 

This cannot happen to Brooman State Forest and the world's tallest known Spotted Gum!

I grew up in Mollymook and had absolutely no idea what has been happening west of the princes hwy for decades; until I heard that Forestry Corporation had starting logging the forest within 6 months of the horrific 2020 bushfires. The more I'm learning about this archaic practice, the less sense it all makes. So I'm making a film to answer all the questions and to show the damage that is being done to not only the beautiful forests of the South Coast, but the rest of NSW and Australia and why it's important to STOP LOGGING RIGHT NOW!

I will tell the story through light heart observational documentary scenes, in depth interviews with experts, mixed media and beautiful imagery shot on state of the art cameras. I aim to keep an open mind, encapsulating all sides of the argument so we can all make an informed decision on where to go from here. 

Global Biodiversity Hotspots - Oxford Research Encyclopaedia of Environmental Science

The Forests of the East Coast from Batemans Bay to Cairns, are also considered one of only 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world (There's only 2 in Australia!). Containing over 1500 endemic vascular plants (more than 0.5% of the world’s total based on taxonomic knowledge at that time) and having lost over 70% original native vegetation. 

Learn more here.

Campaign Goals:

1. Immediately remove compartments 49A and 50A, North Brooman State Forest from the NSW Forestry logging schedule. 
2. Develop a strategic plan in consultation with Traditional Owners about the future protection of Big Spotty.
3. Permanent protection for compartments  49A & 50A, North Brooman State Forest to ensure the protection of Big Spotty and surrounding forest into the future.
4. Work with other organisations to advocate for a permanent stop to native forest logging Australia wide.  
5. Start regenerating our natural world. 

Film Outcomes:

1. Showcase not only the value of Big Spotty and the surrounding forest, but all forests.
2. Highlight the incredible wildlife and endangered species of the South Coast forests that are threatened by deforestation and how important these remaining forests are for biodiversity. 
3. Highlight the rich Indigenous history of the area and the importance of the forests to the Indigenous communities.
4. Educate the community on logging practices. How the forest is cut, where the timber goes and what it's used for.
5. Inform the community of NSW Forestry's exemption to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation act through Regional Forest Agreements. 
6. Explore the relationship between land clearing and worsening bushfires, particularly in relation to the 2019/2020 bushfires on the South Coast of NSW. 
7. Provide tools for the general public to become more informed and how people can help to protect our forests. 
8. Contrast the history of logging in the region with the present, and highlight alternatives to the current practices of Native Forest Logging. 
9. Provide concrete evidence as to why we need to not only stop logging our forests right now, but start the regeneration process. 

The money raised from this crowdfund will cover the costs associated with making a compelling and professional short film. With your help to kick start the campaign, we will use that to show positive community backing to organisations we are in discussion with to bring more money into the funding pool; allowing us to broaden the scope and distribution of the film. 

All of the funds raised will go towards production, post production and marketing expenses associated with making the film. 

• Production:

     Cinematographer

     Travel costs

     Equipment hire 

     Harddrives

• Post Production:

     Editing

     Sound design

     Music licensing

     Colour grading 

     Graphic design

     Animation

• Marketing

     Pozible fees (5% of total + bank fees)

     Film Festival entry fees

     Cover & poster design