Easy enjoyment in forests
From the Autumn/Winter 2010 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Forests provide a great backdrop for recreation, from bushwalking to camping, mountain bike riding to motor rallies, forests are home to all manner of nature and adventure-based recreation pursuits.
Forests NSW plays an important role in providing recreation and tourism opportunities to the community.
“As a government trading enterprise, recreation services are part of our business and we are looking at ways to improve our services and maximise the opportunities for competitive recreation provisions,” Forests NSW chief executive, Nick Roberts, said.
“The nature of our business means the delivery of recreation and tourism services are complementary to, but not the same as, those delivered by National Parks and Wildlife Service, local government and the commercial sector.”
Recreation in NSW State forests occurs on several levels. At the simplest level, visitors access forest roads and recreation areas with basic facilities. There are also key recreation areas which provide opportunities for local communities and users after a particular experience. Camping areas on the Murray River are a great example - attracting over 20 000 locals and tourists over the summer months. These aspects of recreation in State forests are free to the public.
“Forests offer free public access for basic recreation,” said Nick. “This is an important and valued opportunity for ‘mum and dad’ users and is often the only way people have direct interaction with forests.”
Moving further up the recreation tree, Forests NSW offers a range of organised activities under a permit-based system. Permits ensure equitable management of the use of the forest and minimise risks to users and the forest environment.
Permits are issued for either single events (Special Purpose Permits) or yearly access to a specific site (Occupation Permit).
“The activities permitted in State forests are broad and we offer opportunities not often available on other land tenures like four-wheel driving and trail bike riding,” said Nick.
“We are also looking to create icon sites across the state – capitalising on existing sites which are significant and adding extra services and facilities to make them into something truly spectacular.”
Forests NSW has a unique place in the recreation and tourism market and is actively pursuing ideas for commercial ventures, particularly those which add to the forest experience.
The recreation and tourism policy is available online.
Carolyn Smith Community Programs, Sydney
