Private native forestry
The review of the PNF Code of Practice is underway. To find out more visit the
Review of the Native Vegetation Regulation page.
Introduction
Private native forestry (PNF) is the sustainable logging of native vegetation on private property. Following changes to the Native Vegetation Act 2003 on 1 August 2007, harvesting of timber for the purposes of PNF requires approval through a private native forestry property vegetation plan (PNF PVP) that ensures environmental outcomes are improved or maintained. A PNF PVP is a legally binding agreement between a landholder and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). The Private Native Forestry Code of Practice sets the minimum operating standards for harvesting in private native forests.
To view the regulatory requirements for PNF, access the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005 on the NSW Legislation website.
PNF does not include native tree plantations. For information on plantations, go to the NSW Department of Primary Industries website http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/private-forestry.
This web page gives you an overview of:
The NSW Government has implemented a Private Native Forestry Code of Practice that sets minimum operating standards for harvesting in private native forests. The Code of Practice establishes a regulatory framework for the sustainable management of such forests by ensuring that operations improve or maintain environmental outcomes. The Code was introduced in August 2007 and updated in February 2008 to clarify clauses, terminology and references.
The Code of Practice is in four parts. Each part applies to a particular area within the state.
For an overview of the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice, download:
To download the Code, select the relevant part from the links below.
Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests (Cypress Forests are forests dominated by white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla). Western Hardwood Forests are predominantly eucalypt woodlands and forests of the western plains and western slopes of NSW and typically include box woodlands, box-ironbark woodlands, black cypress and eucalypt woodlands, western red gum woodlands and white box stringybark woodlands.)
Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests (0839copcypress.pdf, 427 KB).
Protocols and guidelines have been developed to help landowners and forestry contractors apply the requirements of the code in the field. These protocols and guidelines can be accessed through the links provided below:
The Private Native Forestry Code of Practice (the Code) has provision for the Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to approve Ecological Harvesting Plans (EHPs). An EHP is required when harvesting operations are proposed in Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs). The prescriptions of an EHP are in addition to the conditions set by the Code.
For an overview of the process of obtaining a private native forestry property vegetation plan, download the following fact sheet:
The protection of old growth and rainforest is important in the protection of the State's biodiversity. As part of the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice the Minister approved protocols for the identification of rainforests and old growth forests.
As part of this organisation's continual improvement program and in response to concerns expressed by stakeholders, Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) initiated a quality assurance review into its assessment process for identifying old growth and rainforests. This review had five terms of reference which were:
consistency and accuracy of PVPs as they relate to rainforest and old growth assessment procedures developed to implement the protocols.
adequacy of OEH processes to accurately represent the intent of the protocol and to provide sufficient and detailed documentation to justify assessment decisions.
rigor, repeatability and reliability of the aerial photo interpretation and field assessment processes, with reference to pre-cautionary field validation.
any areas of the protocol that are ambiguous or unclear.
any other observations about the adequacy of OEH's approach to identify and therefore achieve (achieving) protection of rainforest and old growth.
The Report found that the protocol implementation is working very well for rainforest and is identifying rainforest with a high level of accuracy.
It went on to find that the implementation of old growth forests is highly variable and problematic, and has apparently resulted in some areas of old growth forest being potentially available for harvest. The main recommendations to improve this outcome are the use of good quality imagery and significantly increased fieldwork by aerial photo interpreters.
The contents of the report can be downloaded using the links below:
- Executive summary (OGRFreviewSummary.pdf, 48KB)
- General Report (excluding Section 3.2 - Individual Property Results) (OGRFreviewGeneral.pdf, 3.48MB)
- Section 3.2 - Individual Property Results: Properties 1 to 6 (OGRFreviewResults1to6.pdf, 6.63MB) and Properties 7 to 12 (OGRFreviewResults7to12.pdf, 3.24MB)
- Appendix 1.1 - PNF Code of Practice Guideline 2: Protocol for re-evaluating old-growth forest on private property (proldgrowth07370.pdf, 148KB)
- Appendix 1.2 - PNF Code of Practice Guideline 3: Protocol for re-evaluating rainforest on private property (prrainforest07371.pdf, 129KB)
- Appendix 1.3 - Draft Aerial Photograph Interpretation and Data Management Practices (OGRFreviewAppendix1-3.pdf, 120KB)
- Appendix 1.4 - Natural Resource Mamangement Field Assessment Guidelines: Rainforest Identification (OGRFreviewFieldGuide.pdf, 1.87MB)
- Appendix 1.5 - Natural Resource Management Field Assessment Guidelines: Old Growth Forest Identification (OGRFreviewFieldIdent.pdf, 1.82MB)
- Appendix 1.6 - DECCW Notes: Old Growth Forest Field Verification (OGFRreviewNotes.pdf, 377KB)
- Appendix 2 - Field Transect Records (OGRFreviewAppendix2.pdf, 122KB).
The report makes four recommendations of how OEH can improve its processes and these are listed below.
Recommendation1: Use 3D-capable digital imagery captured within the last five years with one of the new range of digital sensors, and interpreted on-screen in a 3D environment. Acquire new imagery where such imagery is not already available.
Recommendation 2: Aerial Photo Interpreters undertake field work for old-growth and rainforest assessment, particularly where altering CRAFTI old-growth status is likely, and in mixed-aged forests where disturbance is older than 10 years.
Recommendation 3: Undertake annual old growth and rainforest field assessment calibration exercises with EPRG staff, to ensure transect measurement is being carried out consistently.
Recommendation 4: Initiate a peer-review process of old growth and rainforest assessment for sample of PVPs (e.g. 10%).
In response to the report findings and recommendations, OEH will be:
1. Improving technologies and techniques used in assessments - specifically implementation of all recommendations from the quality assurance report
In summary:
progressive transition to use of 3D-capable digital imagery captured within the last five years and interpreted on-screen in a 3D environment. The OEH will immediately adopt this technology where available and complete a transition to its use for all coastal areas by 31 December 2011
Aerial Photo Interpreters will undertake field work for old growth and rainforest assessment where altering CRAFTI status is likely. The level of field work required will be tailored to ensure a suitable range of sampling to validate aerial photo interpretation work
annual old growth field assessment calibration exercises will be held to ensure transect measurement is being carried out consistently
the OEH will implement a peer-review process of old growth assessment.
2. Developing of a public register for old growth and rainforest assessments
This register will show the outcome of each assessment, while protecting personal information.
3. Reviewing the old growth protocols to incorporate the findings of the report in 2011.
Old growth assessment decision tree
The process of assessing old growth forest on private land is summarised in the following decision tree (OldGrowthDecisionTree.pdf, 131KB).
Private Native Forestry Field Guides
Field Guides for Private Native Forestry in NSW are available to all PNF participants to help landholders and forestry operators understand and apply the PNF Code.
The Field Guides do not replace the Code but act as reference tools to provide further detail on specific parts of the Code such as silvicultural methods, environmental protection and forest infrastructure. The Guides aim to achieve this by providing:
- simple explanations and descriptions
- colour photos and diagrams
- Code references
- forestry tools and procedures
- a glossary and index.
The Field Guide for Northern NSW is available free to people involved in the PNF industry. It is available at the PNF training courses, from all PNF regional offices or it can be requested via pnf@environment.nsw.gov.au or downloaded here (09761PNFFldGdNthnNSW.pdf, 4.9MB).
The Field Guide can also be downloaded in sections:
- Chapter 2: Planning for forestry operations (09761Chap2PNFFldGdNthnNSW.pdf, 206KB)
- Chapter 3: Undertaking forestry operations (09761Chap3PNFFldGdNthnNSW.pdf, 368KB)
- Chapters 6 and 7: Ensuring outcomes and Tools to help you (09761Chap6and7PNFFldGdNthnNSW.pdf, 447KB)
- Glossary (09761GlossPNFFldGdNthnNSW.pdf, 275KB)
The Field Guide for Southern NSW is available free to people involved in the PNF industry. It is available at the PNF training courses, from all PNF regional offices or it can be requested via pnf@environment.nsw.gov.au or downloaded here (1009PNFSthnNSWFldGde.pdf, 5.6MB).
The Field Guide can also be downloaded in sections:
The Field Guide for Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests is available free to people involved in the PNF industry. It is available at the PNF training courses, from all PNF regional offices or it can be requested via pnf@environment.nsw.gov.au or downloaded here (10188PNFFldGdeCWH.pdf, 6.3MB).
The Field Guide can also be downloaded in sections:
Exerpt of Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests (excluding the Appendix) (
10188CodePNFFldGdeC&WH.pdf, 1.5MB).
The Field Guide for River Red Gum Forests is available free to people involved in the PNF industry. It is available at the PNF training courses, from all PNF regional offices or it can be requested via pnf@environment.nsw.gov.au or downloaded here (110282PNFFldGdeRRG.pdf, 4.62MB).
The Field Guide can also be downloaded in sections:
- Chapter 3: Undertaking forestry operations (110282Chap3PNFFldGdeRRG.pdf, 193KB)
- Chapter 5: Forest infrastructure (110282Chap5PNFFldGdeRRG.pdf, 807KB)
- Chapters 6 and 7: Ensuring outcomes and Tools to help you(110282Chap6and7PNFFldGdeRRG.pdf, 308KB)
- Glossary (110282GlossaryPNFFldGdeRRG.pdf, 116KB)
- Appendices (110282AppendicesPNFFldGdeRRG.pdf, 129KB)
- Exerpt of Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for River Red Gum Forests (excluding the Appendix) (110282CodePNFFldGdeRRG.pdf, 175KB).
If you would like to provide any feedback on the Field Guides please do so in writing via pnf@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Prior to undertaking private native forestry operations, a forest operation plan (FOP) must be completed by the landholder describing the proposed forestry operations. The plan includes a FOP map and is completed using a template. Explanatory guidelines on completing the template and FOPs in general are also available. Note that a signed hard copy of the FOP template must be available on-site during forestry operations.
The FOP map, template and guidelines will be provided with a PNF PVP approved by OEH.
FOP templates and guidelines are also available for download below:
Northern NSW
Forest Operation Plan for Northern NSW (template) (09480foptempwebnorth.doc, 664 KB) - Word document able to be saved, completed electronically, printed and signed
Forest Operation Plan for Northern NSW (template) (09480foptempwebnorth.pdf, 287 KB) - PDF document able to be printed, filled in by hand and signed
Forest Operation Plan Guidelines for Northern NSW (09481fopglineswebnorth.pdf, 278 KB)
Southern NSW
Forest Operation Plan for Southern NSW (template) (10579foptempwebsouth.doc, 358 KB) - Word document able to be saved, completed electronically, printed and signed
Forest Operation Plan for Southern NSW (template) (10579foptempwebsouth.pdf, 182 KB) - PDF document able to be printed, filled in by hand and signed
Forest Operation Plan Guidelines for Southern NSW (10578fopglinessouth.pdf, 357 KB)
Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests
Forest Operation Plan for Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests (template) (110451foptempcwh.doc, 371 KB) - Word document able to be saved, completed electronically, printed and signed
Forest Operation Plan for Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests (template) (110451foptempcwh.pdf, 221 KB) - PDF document able to be printed, filled in by hand and signed
Forest Operation Plan Guidelines for Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests (110450fopglinescwh.pdf, 238 KB)
River Red Gum Forests
Forest Operation Plan for River Red Gum Forests (template) (110453foptemprrg.doc, 357 KB) - Word document able to be saved, completed electronically, printed and signed
Forest Operation Plan for River Red Gum Forests (template) (110453foptemprrg.pdf, 197 KB) - PDF document able to be printed, filled in by hand and signed
Forest Operation Plan Guidelines for River Red Gum Forests (110452fopglinesrrg.pdf, 226 KB)
The NSW Government has made $4 million dollars available to train private native forestry contractors and crew, and landholders.
Accredited Course in Sustainable Private Native Forestry
An accredited course in Sustainable PNF for industry operators has been developed and is being run by the TAFE NSW Forest Industry Training Centre and OEH. It helps trainees to understand and implement the PNF Code and improve their general understanding of forest management and best operational practice.
Subjects currently available at various locations in NSW include:
Forest Soil and Water Protection (2 days)
Silviculture Principles and Biodiversity Protection (2 days)
Occupational Health and Safety (basic) (available any time on-line)
Cultural Heritage Management (half day).
These units are accredited and on successful completion individuals will receive a Statement of Attainment.
Each two-day session will cost $45. Occupational Health and Safety and Cultural heritage management each cost $30. The full cost is up to $1000 but the NSW Government is subsidising the training to encourage as many people as possible to attend. Please see the brochure (PNFcoursesbrochure2012version2.pdf, 102 KB) for the training dates and locations, and details on how to register.
For further information call TAFE on (02) 6981 4800.
Private Native Forestry Operations Planner Course
A course in PNF Operations Planning is available to those participants who have gained accreditation in Forest Soil and Water Protection and Silviculture Principles and Biodiversity Protection (or can provide evidence of prior learning and skills). The course covers the higher level skills associated with forest management, harvest planning, and infrastructure provision. The course runs for two days and costs $45. Please see the brochure (PNFcoursesbrochure2012version2.pdf, 102 KB) for the training dates and locations, and details on how to register.
Private Native Forestry Awareness Days for landholders
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is now conducting a series of field days to increase awareness of the Code and encourage landholders to undertake the accredited courses offered by TAFE. These field days are currently being delivered across NSW.
For further information contact DPI on 1300 655 687 or go to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/profarm/courses/pnf-awareness.
Private Native Forestry Training Program Evaluation Report
In May 2010 Office of Environment and Heritage commissioned Inca Consulting to evaluate the PNF training program. The evaluation was to cover the accredited training courses run by TAFE NSW, the awareness field days run by Industry and Investment NSW and the publications and other information prepared for the benefit of PNF landholders and contractors.
The evaluation showed that both the TAFE courses and the awareness field days were exceptionally well received by participants.
- Of those who had attended the training, 86% said that they now understood the Code more clearly.
- 91% of landholders who attended the training said that they could apply much of what they had learnt on their property.
- Most contractors said they had been able to adjust or improve their practices thanks to the training.
- There was strong support amongst landholders for an accreditation scheme for PNF contractors which would allow them to more confidently select an appropriate one.
The key recommendations from the evaluation were that OEH consider:
- extending existing training opportunities for landholders to bring about even stronger sustainability outcomes for sustainability;
- consider landholders preference for different education methods such as a self-paced learning DVD;
- the options for securing greater support from contractors as agents for change by encouraging them to work more closely with landholders in meeting the Code requirements and empowering landholders to monitor the activities of contractors working on their land.
Inca Consulting’s full report Private Native Forestry Training Program - Evaluation Framework and Findings (pnftrainingevaluationreport.pdf, 479 KB) is now available to the public. The Executive Summary (ExecSummPnftrainingevaluationreport.pdf, 127 KB) is also available.
Routine agricultural management activities (RAMAs) are farming and other activities where clearing of native vegetation does not require approval under the Native Vegetation Act 2003. They can cover a wide range of activities including clearing of noxious weeds, collection of firewood and lopping of native vegetation for stock fodder.
For private native forestry there are some restrictions on RAMAs for land covered by a private native forestry PVP. For more information, download the Routine Agricultural Management Activities on private native forestry land fact sheet (RAMAfactsheet08128.pdf, 31KB).
For general information about RAMAs available for your property contact your local catchment management authority.
The Office of Environment and Heritage has also prepared a series of advisory notes to assist landholders with general information about threatened species, biodiversity and cultural heritage. More information is available in the documents below:
All PNF operations now need to have a PNF PVP and to be operating in accordance with the Code of Practice, except for those operations that still have an existing consent under the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997. More information is available in:
The Code requires landholders to report to OEH if they have carried out PNF operations in the previous calendar year, or if they plan to undertake PNF operations in the coming year. Reports are due at the end of March in each calendar year, and may be submitted to OEH by post or email pnf@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Landholders do not need to provide a report if they have not carried out any harvesting in the previous year and have no intention of harvesting their forest in the coming year.
A copy of the Annual Report template is available below:
The NSW Government has provided an additional $4.2 million to accelerate implementation of the Code. This will ensure a high quality of service delivery to industry and landholders and will assist them to understand and adopt the new arrangements with minimal disruption.
For more information on private native forestry:
phone OEH on 131 555
fax (02) 6640 2569.
Page last updated: 11 April 2012
