Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform

THE forestry industry has been a contested space in NSW for many years, with some supporting the continuation of native hardwood logging and others strongly opposing it.

The issue was brought into sharper focus recently with the announcement by the NSW Government of its intention to create the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).

The establishment of the GKNP will result in areas which are presently state forest, where logging is permissible, being converted into national park, where logging is prohibited.

Clearly wishing to find a way forward, the NSW Government is developing a Forestry Industry Action Plan (FIAP), which it has indicated will address the following issues:

– The sustainability of current and future forestry operations in NSW,

– The environmental and cultural values of forests, including threatened species,

– The community demand for timber products, particularly as relates to NSW housing, construction, mining, transport and retail,

– The future of softwood and hardwood plantations and the continuation of Private Native Forestry in helping meet timber supply needs,

– The role of State Forests in maximising the delivery of a range of environmental, economic and social outcomes,

– Opportunities to realise carbon and biodiversity benefits and support carbon and biodiversity markets, and mitigate and adapt to climate change risks, and

– Greenhouse gas emission impacts of different uses of forests and assessment of climate change risks to forests.

As part of the development of its FIAP the government appointed a panel, titled The Independent Forestry Panel (the Panel) to consult with various stakeholders and to then provide a report to the government about the various viewpoints.

In producing its report, the panel consulted with representatives from the timber industry, forest growers, environment groups, unions, Aboriginal communities, local government, business, related industries, tourism, scientific experts and the Commonwealth Government.

More than 1,700 submissions were received.

“Making this report available to the public is a key step toward modernising forestry in a way that protects biodiversity,” said Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Heritage and Environment.

“Following the finalisation of the Stakeholder Report, the panel has been tasked to produce a Considerations Report.

“This report will… identify opportunities to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the NSW forestry industry and support jobs.”

This will be through:

– The NSW Government’s moratorium on logging in the proposed area for the Great Koala National Park,

– Changes to the Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

– Opportunities the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme could offer state forestry reform, including potential revenue for the NSW Government.

The Panel’s Stakeholder Report is available online at nsw.gov.au by searching the “independent-forestry-panel-stakeholder-report”.

By John WATTS