Review of NSW Forest Agreements and Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals
Background to the review
The NSW forest agreements and integrated forestry operations approvals (IFOAs) for the Upper North East, Lower North East, Eden, and Southern regions are over half way though their 20-year terms. In accordance with the Forestry Act 2012, the NSW Government completed a review of the agreements and IFOAs in 2010. The purpose of the review was to assess:
(a) the implementation of the provisions of the agreements, and
(b) whether integrated forestry operations approvals are effective in achieving the purpose of those approvals.
The review was not intended to extend to the consideration of issues such as changes to land tenure, modifications of timber volumes or additional reserve design. See also the Terms of Reference of the review (termsref.pdf, 13KB).
Public consultation report
A consultation report on the review of the NSW Forest Agreements and IFOAs was exhibited over the period 16 October 2010 to 17 November 2010. The report brought together expert advice, technical information, and public opinion and considered previous annual implementation reports.
The consultation report:
- Provided up-to-date progress on delivery of key milestones under the four forest agreements.
- Highlighted important achievements made over the first ten years.
- Recommended 63 changes to the licence and non-licence components of the IFOAs to clarify and simplify conditions, to improve operational efficiency, and to improve environmental outcomes.
The results of consultation are summarised in the Review Outcomes report (below).
Review Outcomes report
Twenty one submissions were received in response to the consultation report. Comments were provided by conservation groups, the forest industry and its associations, and individuals.
The Review Outcomes report (below) summarises the key themes raised by stakeholders, identifies issues that require further consideration, and provides the outcomes from this review.
A number of submissions related to topics outside the scope of the review. These comments were noted and represent a valuable contribution towards the development of related Government policy.
Amendments to IFOAs in March 2013
Amendments to the IFOAs commenced on 1 March 2013.
The amendments:
- Updated the coastal IFOAs in line with the Five and Ten Year Review of NSW Forest Agreements and IFOAs conducted in 2010.
- Updated all IFOAs to bring them into line with pollution incident reporting and management requirements introduced under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 in 2012. The changes include that FCNSW must to prepare and implement a pollution incident response management plan and publish any monitoring data that relates to pollution on its website.
View the amending instruments:
- Upper North East (UNEIFOAamend7.pdf, 286KB) and Appendix D maps (UNEappDmaps1to5.pdf, 1.8MB)
- Lower North East (LNEIFOAamend5.pdf, 289KB) and Appendix D maps (LNEappDmaps1to6.pdf, 1.9MB)
- Eden (EdenIFOAamend6.pdf, 235KB) and Appendix E map (EdenappDmap.pdf, 835KB)
- Southern (SthIFOAamend4.pdf, 255KB) and Appendix E maps (sthappDmaps1to4.pdf, 1.3MB)
- Brigalow Nandewar (BrigIFOAamend1.pdf, 21KB)
- Riverina Red Gum (rgumIFOAamend1.pdf, 21KB)
- South Western Cypress (SWCypIFOAamend1.pdf, 21KB).
Separate review of regional forest agreements
A review of the State and Commonwealth Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) has also commenced and is explained on a separate RFA Review page. RFAs are different to NSW Forest Agreements. More background on the RFA review and a Draft Report on Progress with Implementation of the New South Wales RFAs are provided on the RFA Review page.
Further queries
For further information see NSW Forest Agreements and IFOAs or questions and answers on the reviews. For additional queries you can contact the environment line on 131 555, or email us.
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Page last updated: 07 March 2013
