PETER Elzer was due to pass through the region this week on his 580km walk from Coffs Harbour to Sydney.
The 70-year-old is seeking urgent action on native forest protection and the creation of the long-promised Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
Peter, a veteran forest advocate, began his 33-day journey with a simple and urgent message for the NSW Government.
“Stop logging koala habitat, listen to the science, save our native flora and fauna from increasing survival threats, and act now with preservation before it’s too late.
“My children used to see koalas wandering through the school grounds when they were in primary school.
“Those coastal koala populations are now gone. Extinct.
“This walk is about making sure that doesn’t keep happening.”
Peter, aka “KoaLaMan”, is no stranger to environmental campaigning.
He was involved in the successful 1991 Chaelundi old growth forest campaign and the Emerald Beach Outfall Campaign.
More recently, in 2022–2023, he completed a 2048km solo walk from Melbourne to Seventeen Seventy to “Stamp Out Racism” – sparking debate over endemic racism in regional and rural areas.
This time, the mission is to save the state’s dwindling koala populations and native forests.
He is calling for the immediate implementation of the full 176,000ha GKNP, a promise made by the NSW Government before the last election that remains unfulfilled.
The challenge of walking up to 25 kilometres per day with a 25kg pack is no easy feat, especially at 70.
“It’s been extremely challenging,” Peter admits.
“I’m sleeping rough, staying in cheap hotels, and relying on basic rations.
“However, every person who walks with me or waves from a car keeps me going.
“I’ll wave to every car until my arms drop off.”
Support has come from individuals, community members and passers-by.
Some have joined him for parts of the walk.
Others stop to talk, donate food, or simply offer encouragement.
“When I’m having a rough day, I just think about a hot shower, some decent food – even just a chair. That’s enough to keep going.”
Peter feels the government is dragging its feet and his demands are clear, he wants immediate implementation of the full GKNP and a serious, public debate about ending native forest logging across NSW.
“People believed the Greater Koala National Park was going ahead. Now it feels like that promise was a lie.
“The NSW Forestry Corporation has actually ramped up logging in areas that were meant to be protected.
“It’s outrageous.
“Delaying action risks local extinctions and irreparable biodiversity loss.
“It’s time to stop talking and start doing.”
When Peter arrives at Parliament House in Sydney on 20 August, he’ll deliver a symbolic letter “scratched out” by KoaLaMan – the character he has created to represent all native creatures who can’t speak for themselves.
The letter is a heartfelt plea for a home and for responsible environmental stewardship and protection before it’s too late.
He hopes to inspire the next generation to get involved, to care and to speak up, anticipating that one of the young people moved by his campaign may grow up to become “the next Bob Carr, David Attenborough, or Dailan Pugh.”
“Eliminating native habitat destruction is a choice we can still make,” Peter said.
“We owe that to the animals and to ourselves.”
Supporters can follow Peter’s journey on Facebook or via the group “End Native Habitat Logging – It’s Time”.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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