Timber is sustainably harvested in accordance with strict regulatory codes to protect the forests regrowth, and flora and fauna in both:

State Forests: State native forests and plantation forests. Managed by Forest Corporation NSW controlled by State/Federal Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs). They set harvestable areas overseen by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) using the NSW Integrated Forest Operations agreement (IFOA).

Private Native Forests: Privately owned forest land and some plantations. Regulated by (Local Land Services (LLS) using the Private Native Forest Code of Practice Also subject to review by EPA.

Management and harvesting of hardwood timber assists in sequestering carbon.

• Providing the alternative ultimate renewal which can be continually regrown and harvested, reducing the high carbon input where steel, plastic and concrete are used.
• Harvesting older, mature trees which have reached their maximum carbon storage and replacing them with new growing trees (by natural seeding and regrowth, or plantation) provides new carbon storage.

Flora and Fauna are protected and nurtured.

1. Strict retention of food and nesting trees and established seed trees.
2. Continual management of the forest and forest floor and fuel loads, to reduce wildfires and provide corridors for wildlife to travel.
3. Most wildfires start in unmanaged forest areas (including National Parks) are not controlled before they escape, causing severe loss of life both in animals and plants.
4. Continual regrowth provides new trees with fresher more succent leaves and fruit.

A sustainable, responsibly maintained timber industry helps reduce reliance on overseas product.

• Australia imports over $5 billion of timber and wood products, particularly from SE Asia to make up the shortfall in demand.
• Imports come from non-regulated, unsustainable harvesting, affecting the future livelihoods of fauna and flora and people’s livelihoods.

Hardwood Timber management in NSW keeps the balance and is responsibly managed.

• Decisions need to be made on how to meet the growing demand in the future.
• Forest Corporation NSW manages approx. 2 million hectares of native hardwood forest, 35,000 hectares of hardwood plantations, and 225 ,000 hectares of softwood (pine) plantations.
• The available harvesting area of state forests in NSW is less than 12%.

Forestry Corporation’s forestry management operation is world class.

1. Forestry Corporation has a 100-year strategic plan for sustainable management.
2. Tactical l 10-year desktop planning is supported by a 3-year field study validation.
3. Site planning for harvesting over 1-2 years for studies in ecology, cultural, mapping, field marking and logistics.
4. Operational monitoring on a month-to-month cycle is in place.

Considerations around the timber sector and the environmental impact.

• While plantation timber is complementary to native hardwood, it takes 30-50 years to reach maturity for processing. It is a different type of wood to native hardwoods, like any farmed product compared to native products.
• In a 30-year forestry growth -harvesting -growth cycle, little more than 1% of the overall state forest sees harvest activities in any year.
• For every tree harvested, more than one tree is replanted or regrown.
• A growing population and greater demand for a carbon friendly sustainable product requires the sector to responsibly look to meeting our own needs rather than using imports.

The future for the regional communities, the economy and the nation

• A reliable timber source that is sustainable and properly managed, provides continued employment and is a core renewable resource for the construction, infrastructure and related industries in NSW.
• Native Hardwood timber has qualities not available in other species including plantation hardwoods, such as durability, strength, fire resistance and natural appeal. Not all required species are in existing plantations (principally being blackbutt, blue gum and spotted gum). Species such as Tallowwood, Ironbark, Turpentine, Mahogany only available in native forests are used in structural and infrastructure projects such as railways, mining, wharves, jetties, bridges, fencing, farming.
• The NSW industry contributes over $2.9 billion in gross revenue to the NSW economy and $1.1 billion in gross value add. It is estimated there are more than 8900 direct jobs in NSW and up to 22000 people employed across the state considering the whole supply chain from forest management to retail products.
• Specialty timbers such as Brush Box is used as feature timbers (for example the recent refurbishment of the Sydney Opera House).
• Many regional communities depend on the operation of the timber Industry.
• Wood products have been used around the world throughout history and continue to be in demand today. A growing forest captures carbon is sustainably managed, climate and environmentally friendly, versatile, safe, healthy, dependable and cost effective.
• Australian wood and timber imports are now more than $5 Billion per annum causing increased reliance on overseas resources from countries with less recognised forestry practices and subject to the vagaries of volatile government regimes.

Communities and Australians generally want healthy forests.

• Flora and fauna, including the koala are highly valued. We want to build our own self-sustaining timber resources in Australia.
• There is a high need for wood products. Australia has recognised the world’s best practices in sustainable forest management, regeneration, and timber harvesting and protection of Australian animal and plant species.

References:

Forest Corporation NSW Field Tour Presentation Nov 2023, Ernst & Young Economic Contribution, Study NSW 2023, Timber NSW, Forestry Australia, Australian Forest Products Association Noel Atkins FCA – REEF Research Foundation. Researched and written by REEF director Noel Atkins FCA director REEF Research Foundation. He has been involved in the forestry industry for more than 45 years.