Private native forestry
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 Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC). 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.
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 of Practice was introduced in August 2007 and updated on 8 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, 427KB).
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:
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For an overview of the process of obtaining a private native forestry property vegetation plan, download the following fact sheet:
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.
Threatened species, biodiversity and cultural heritage
DECC has also prepared a series of advisory notes to assist landholders, that has general information about threatened species, biodiversity and cultural heritage. More information is available in the documents below:
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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 and the Soil Conservation Act 1938. More information is available in the:
The Code requires landholders to report to DECC 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 DECC by post, via email or online to DECC.
Landholders do not need to provide a report if they have not carried out any harvesting in the past year and have no intention of harvesting their forest in the coming year.
A copy of the Annual Report template is available below:
Landholders and forest growers affected by the Code are also eligible for assistance. The NSW Government has established a $37 million Native Vegetation Assistance Package to help landholders who are affected by the new native vegetation laws. Under this package, Sustainable Farming Grants of up to $120,000 are available to private native forestry landholders. The grants are designed to assist landholders to invest in other income-generating activities on their property. For information about the assistance available see below:
Grants are available now up to June 2011. You must make an application by 30 April 2009 if you wish to obtain a Sustainable Farming Grant this financial year.
Contact your nearest PNF officer or call DECC 131 555 for further information on how to apply.
The NSW Government is aware of the impact the Code of Practice may have on regional communities and has allocated $29.3 million to the Private Native Forestry Industry Assistance Program to ease these adverse impacts.
The program is based on existing successful forestry assistance packages and is available to eligible sawmills, harvest and haulage contractors and workers made redundant from these types of businesses in the PNF industry.
This program has now commenced and is being administered by the Forest Projects & Industry Adjustment Unit (FP&IAU) of the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Applications for assistance close on 15 May 2009.
To apply for assistance, or for instructions on how to apply and more information on the types of assistance available, phone FP&IAU toll free on 1300 360 844 or visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/private-forestry/industry-assistance/program.
The NSW Government has made four million dollars available for the training for private native forestry contractors and crew, and landholders who conduct their own operations.
The training is run by the TAFE NSW Forest Industry Training Centre and the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC). It will help contractors and landholders to understand and implement the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice. It will also help to improve their general understanding of forest management and best operational practice.
Subjects currently available at various locations in NSW include:
These units are accredited and on successful completion individuals will receive a Statement of Attainment in Sustainable Private Native Forestry.
Each two day session will cost $45. Normally each session would cost $500 but the NSW Government is subsidising the training to encourage as many people as possible to attend.
Please see the brochure for the training dates and locations, and details on how to register.
For further information call TAFE on 6981 4800.
The NSW Government has provided an additional $3.7 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.
The Code of Practice for private native forestry is a transitional arrangement until new legislation covering private native forests is developed. This new legislation will aim to promote the sustainable management of private native forests, while ensuring that the environmental values of those forests are maintained. More information on the development of the legislation will be available in 2009.
For more information on private native forestry:
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Page last updated: 31 March 2009
