Readers can be assured there is no NSW government plan to increase harvesting of trees for energy generation.

In fact, NSW legislation only permits the use of forest residues for electricity production using waste from authorised harvesting operations - the potential to sell harvest residues for electricity production is simply a possible market for existing waste material.

The Government’s plan for forestry in NSW is laid out in the NSW Forestry Industry Roadmap, released in 2016.

The vision is for NSW to have a sustainably managed forest estate that underpins a dynamic, economically efficient forest industry, which continues to support regional communities and delivers social and environmental benefits.

There is no clear felling of native forests for forestry purposes in NSW, and harvested native forests are naturally regenerated to sustain forests for the future – they are not replaced with plantations.

State forest harvesting operations are carried out in accordance with strict prescriptions designed to protect environmental values, and include requirements for fauna surveys.

These operations are independently audited by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The fact that the Forestry Corporation of NSW operates exclusively in regenerated forests that have previously been harvested, and which continue to support thriving populations of native animals, including koalas, is testament to these sustainable forest practices.

Information on recent research into alternative uses for forestry residues, and the management plans that help ensure the sustainability of our NSW forestry resource, is available on the NSW Department of Primary Industries website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Nick Milham

Group Director DPI Forestry NSW

Department of Primary Industries