Clearing hundred year+ old trees and replanting with saplings is...

Clearing hundred year+ old trees and replanting with saplings is not an equivalence
The effect on birdlife losing nesting places is dramatic
Effect on climate is never considered

Clearing goes on all over the continent

Some examples from WA:
"Robe River Mining Co. Pty. Ltd. proposes to develop the West Angelas C, D and G iron ore deposits to sustain production at the existing West Angelas iron ore operations. The proposal is located approximately 130 km northwest of Newman. Mining of the C, D and G iron ore deposits will involve the additional clearing of up to 4,310 ha of native vegetation within a mine development envelope of 26,400 ha."
"Gogo Station Pty Ltd proposes to clear and develop up to 8,355 hectares of land for irrigated cropland and associated infrastructure. Surface irrigation water is to be sourced from overland flow from within Gogo Station and overbank flows from the Margaret River. The proposal is located near the Margaret River (a tributary of the Fitzroy River), approximately 10 kilometres east of Fitzroy Crossing, in the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley."

In that continental context 850ha+ cleared in the Pilliga , but intended to be rehabilitated, is not such a big issue.