Big Spotty has been the site of protests from activists and conservationists. Photo: Knitting Nannas.
South Coast councillors have voted down a plan to push for expanded protections around ‘Big Spotty’, one of Australia’s tallest trees.
The tree is believed to be the world’s tallest spotted gum (standing at 72 metres) and has a 12-metre circumference.
Its home is within North Brooman State Forest, located in the southern Shoalhaven region.
During a recent meeting, Shoalhaven councillor Debbie Killian sought to have Shoalhaven City Council add its voice to advocacy efforts.
It follows a petition from the Nature Conservation Council calling for the forest to be declared the Big Spotty Flora Reserve.
The campaign also seeks the installation of a 50-metre boardwalk, viewing platform, a boot bath to disinfect visitors’ shoes and signage about Big Spotty’s significance as part of its goals.
In her motion, Cr Killian called on her fellow councillors to write to the NSW Government in support of the proposed Big Spotty Flora Reserve, and install the infrastructure near the tree.
She said logging within North Brooman State Forest would put it at risk, regardless of an existing protection zone around Big Spotty.
“This tree needs its surrounding trees to protect it from wind, to make sure the soil balance is OK, to ensure that it is not over-affected by heat and to keep the biodiversity in its environment going.”
She also hit out at suggestions of further consultation with Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW), describing existing measures as being “not enough” to ensure Big Spotty’s safety.
“They’ve been fined over and over again. Yes, it is their job to look after the forest … but they break the rules all the time, and they cost the taxpayers of this state upwards of $20 million a year.”
Cr Matthew Norris said the proposal was a chance to ensure protection for the tree.
“We’ve got a number of big things around this country. It’s a hallmark of who we are as Australians to go and look at big things and say, ‘Oh, that’s cool.'”
He also described the proposal as representing a possible “shot in the arm” for the region’s tourism.
But Cr Denise Kemp said it left key questions unanswered, pointing to cost and management concerns.
“There’s a whole lot of work to be done … I’m a bit surprised they [FCNSW] weren’t invited to speak on this.”
She foreshadowed a motion that the council organise a workshop with FCNSW to allow for further consultation.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Patricia White with CEO Andrew Constance in late 2025. Photo: Shoalhaven City Council.
Cr Peter Wilkins warned the discussion risked conflating two elements, calling for “a little more investigation” into the reserve idea.
“It seems to me there are two separate motions here, and they should be separated.
“Perhaps everyone seems to agree with the idea of a 50-metre boardwalk [and the other infrastructure elements] … but the creation of the Big Spotty Flora Reserve, at nearly 3000 hectares, seems to be a whole different ballpark.”
Mayor Patricia White also felt the motion hadn’t struck the right balance.
“I can’t support it because nowhere in the notice of motion does it say, ‘We want them to stop the logging of Brooman’.
“It says it in the background [in the meeting agenda] but not in the notice of motion. To me, it’s a way of getting in the back door.”
A harvest map from FCNSW shows that sections of North Brooman State Forest are slated for logging operations within the next six months.
But an FCNSW spokesperson told Region that no logging in Big Spotty’s area (known as Compartment 50A) was being “planned or scheduled”.
“The closest scheduled harvesting operation within North Brooman State Forest is over 2.5 km away. This is not intended to be conducted until next financial year,” the spokesperson said.
Mayor White also said further work was needed on the area’s road network, especially if the council wanted to promote Big Spotty to tourists.
“Well, I don’t know whose driven to Brooman lately, but trying to get to Brooman and get up some of these roads is quite near impossible,” she said.
The FCNSW spokesperson didn’t explicitly address a question about FCNSW’s position on the petition, but said it was committed to preserving Big Spotty.
“The tree known as Big Spotty has for many years been recognised as an important tree and is well protected and will never be harvested.
“Forestry Corporation is appointed to manage state forests for multiple uses, including conservation, recreation and renewable timber production. North Brooman State Forest covers more than 3000 hectares and continues to be managed for multiple uses.”
Ultimately, the proposal was narrowly defeated during the meeting, after councillors Kemp, Selena Clancy, Luciano Casmiri, Peter Wilkins, Bob Proudfoot, Brett Steele and Mayor White voted against it.
Councillors Norris, Killian, Ben Krikstolaitis, Gillian Boyd, Jemma Tribe and Karlee Dunn voted in favour.
