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, Climate Change and Water (DECCW). 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 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:
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For an overview of the process of obtaining a private native forestry property vegetation plan, download the following fact sheet:
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. The FOP map, template and guidelines will be provided with a PNF PVP approved by DECCW. The FOP template and guidelines can also be downloaded below:
Forest Operation Plan for Northern NSW (template) (09480foptemp.pdf, 227 KB)
Forest Operation Plan Guidelines for Northern NSW (09481fopglines.pdf, 200 KB)
Note: The FOP templates and guidelines for Southern NSW, River Red Gum Forests and Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests will be available for download in late 2009.
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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, 31 KB).
For general information about RAMAs available for your property contact your local catchment management authority.
DECCW 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:
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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 Code requires landholders to report to DECCW 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 DECCW by post, via email or online to DECCW.
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 affected by the Code may also be eligible for assistance. The NSW Government’s Native Vegetation Assistance Package (NVAP) offers Sustainable Farming Grants to help eligible landholders who are affected by the introduction of the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice. The grants are designed to assist landholders to invest in other income-generating activities on their property.
The maximum Government grant is $120,000 per property, with landholders contributing at least 50% of the value of the Government's contribution. For a maximum Government grant of $120,000, therefore, a landholder will need to contribute at least $60,000 in cash or in kind.
For more information about the assistance available and how to apply see:
Grants are available now and up to June 2011. Applications will be accepted until 30 April 2011. Funding of the program is limited and applications will be considered in the order that they are received.
Contact your nearest PNF officer or call DECCW on 131 555 for further information on how to apply.
Applications for the Private Native Forestry Industry Assistance Program have now closed.
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 targets eligible sawmills, harvest and haulage contractors and workers made redundant from these types of businesses in the PNF industry.
This program is being administered by the Forest Projects and Industry Adjustment Unit of the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Further inquiries on the program should be directed to the Unit on 1300 360 844 (toll free).
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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 DECCW. 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:
These units are accredited and on successful completion individuals will receive a Statement of Attainment.
Each two-day session will cost $45. The usual cost is $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 (02) 6981 4800.
Private Native Forestry Operations Planner Course
Development of a PNF Operations Planner course for contractors and landholders planning their own operations is under way. This course will be ready for delivery by TAFE in September 2009.
Private Native Forestry Awareness Days for landholders
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is preparing to hold a series of field days to increase awareness of the Code and encourage landholders to undertake the accredited courses offered by TAFE. Awareness days are currently being pilot tested on the north coast, southern highlands and northern tablelands of NSW.
For further information contact DPI's John Macgregor-Skinner on (02) 6672 2770 or 0419 281 490.
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 late 2009.
For more information on private native forestry:
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