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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. To print or save the Regulation, click on the 'Whole instrument' button at the top of that page.

This web page gives you an overview of:

The Private Native Forestry Code of Practice

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.

  • Northern NSW (land north of the Sydney CBD, latitude 33 degrees 52'02.71 S)
    Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Northern NSW (0837copnorth.pdf, 812 kb)
  • Southern NSW (land south of the Sydney CBD latitude 33 degrees 52'02.71 S) Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW (0840copsouth.pdf, 511 kb)
  • River Red Gum Forests (those dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
    Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for the River Red Gum Forests (0838copredgum.pdf, 366 kb)
  • Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests. (Cypress Forests are forests dominated by white cypress pine (Callistis 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).

Supporting guidelines and protocols

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 (pdf files require Acrobat Reader):

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Obtaining a private native forestry property vegetation plan

For an overview of the process of obtaining a private native forestry property vegetation plan, download the following fact sheet:

  • Private Native Forestry Code of Practice Fact Sheet 2: How to obtain a private native forestry property vegetation plan (PNF2PNFPVP08126.pdf, 42 kb, requires Acrobat Reader)

Routine agricultural management activities and private native forests

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, requires Acrobat Reader).

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 (provided in pdf format, requires Acrobat Reader):

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Existing operations covered by an existing consent

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:

Reporting required by landholders

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 sample report is available below:

Sustainable Farming Grants for landholders

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 $80,000 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:

Contact your nearest PNF officer or call DECC 131 555 for further information on how to apply.

Industry assistance

The NSW Government is aware of the impact the Code of Practice may have on regional communities and has allocated a $29.3 million private native forestry industry package to ease adverse impacts on communities. The package is based on existing successful forestry assistance packages, and will be available for industry members, including sawmill owners, contractors, transport workers and timber workers. The package will commence in the second half of 2008.  More information about it will be posted on this website by mid-2008.

Training and accreditation

Four million dollars is also being provided for training and accrediting forest growers and private forestry operators. Training will improve occupational health and safety standards and introduce the latest forestry harvesting techniques to promote sustainable forestry operations including lessening impacts on soil erosion and the health of waterways. More information will be available on this website in mid-2008.

Accelerated implementation

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.

Future private native forestry legislation

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.

More information

For more information on private native forestry:

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Page last updated: 14 March 2008