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Approvals and compliance

PNF approvals

Approval through a private native forestry property vegetation plan (PNF PVP) is required to carry out forestry operations on private land. A PNF PVP is a legally binding agreement between a landholder and the EPA. PNF PVPs are valid for up to 15 years, giving landowners the security they need to make long-term forest management decisions.

Since the amendment of the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005 (NV Reg) 1 August 2007, and until 31 December 2011, there have been 3652 enquiries regarding PNF, 2057 PVPs approved and a further 148 draft PVPs were awaiting the landowner’s signature.  During 2011, 537 PVPs were approved.

Between 1 August 2007 and 31 December 2011, a total of 428,610 hectares of private forest has been approved under a PNF PVP for forestry operations - 79,941 hectares were approved in 2011. Within this area all rainforest, old growth forest, wetlands, heathlands and many other environmentally important areas have been protected.

Area of PNF PVPs approved

Forest type	2007	2008 Area of PNF PVP in hectares	2009 Area of PNF PVP in hectares	2010 Area of PNF PVP in hectares	2011 Area of PNF PVP in hectares	Total
Northern NSW	24,325	66,642	91,560	55,024	59,288	311,839
Southern NSW	2,097	4,123	5,855	5,085	3,279	20,439
River Red Gum	3,373	49,758	5,500	3,673	10,831	73,135
Cypress & Western Hardwood	1,509	4,390	5,942	4,813	6,543	23,197
Totals	31,304	124,913	108,857	68,595	79,941	428,610

These figures do not take account of the area of PNF PVPs which have expired.

Compliance and enforcement activities

The EPA implements a PNF monitoring and compliance strategy, and undertakes operational inspections, audits and investigations.  This is supported by education, training and extension activities. 

During 2011, the EPA undertook 55 operational inspections, and 74 audits of PNF operations and 7 new compliance investigations were carried out. Approximately 18 per cent of PNF PVPs have been monitored for compliance with the PNF Code of Practice.

During 2011, 11 warning letters, 15 advisory letters, 5 corrective action requests and 6 penalty infringement notices were issued. All unauthorised logging operations reported to DECCW are investigated. Approximately 36 notifications were received in 2011.