Forests NSW hosts leaders in forestry
From the Autumn 2008 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Forests NSW tree improvement manager, Michael Henson (left), and Rix’s Creek Mine manager, John Hindmarsh (centre) provided information on mine rehabilitation to Forests NSW chief executive, Nick Roberts, (second left) and members of theFFPC. Photo by Steve Boyton
The efforts of Forests NSW in establishing plantations on former mine sites and for carbon sequestration were under the spotlight last year during a field trip in conjunction with a Forestry and Forest Products Committee (FFPC) meeting in Newcastle.
Forests NSW chief executive, Nick Roberts, hosted the two-day meeting of leaders of forestry and land management agencies from around Australia.
FFPC is one of four committees that report to the Commonweath Government Primary Industries Standing Committee and Ministerial Council.
During the field visit to the Hunter Valley, members inspected Forests NSW’s extensive seed orchard and plantation species trials at Rixs Creek.
FFPC meets twice each year and is hosted on a rotational basis by each state and territory.
Day one involved the formal meeting of the group where many items relating to the role of forests in sustainable landscapes, policy and industry development were considered.
The field visit included presentations by Forests NSW tree improvement manager, Michael Henson, and a research officer from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) science and research division, Dr Georgina Kelly.
The group also inspected Xstrata’s open cut coal mine where they were given an insight into the ongoing extensive community consultation process undertaken by mine management on the mine’s activities and a topical talk on clean coal technology by Dr Nicole Williams, chief executive officer of the NSW Minerals Council.
Ann Denlow - Office of the CEO, Sydney
