Private forestry on increase in NSW
From the Winter 2008 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Wood products from private native forestry play an important role in meeting supply for the building industry. Photo Forests NSW Image Library
The economic and social value of forestry on private land continues to increase in New South Wales.
Wood products from private native forestry (PNF) in coastal areas of the state contribute to approximately half of the wood supplied to markets, representing millions of dollars of income for regional communities in addition to being critical for the building and other industries.
With the introduction of the PNF Code under the Native Vegetation Act 2003, biodiversity values are enhanced and land managers undertake significant planning and operations to protect areas such as water crossings, habitat trees, old growth forests and rocky outcrops.
There are significant issues and opportunities for farmers in managing their land to meet these expectations and provide ‘non-wood’ goods, such as increased biodiversity.
Underpinning these opportunities is essential information such as appropriate species selection and location and style of plantings across the landscape.
Large changes are occurring in the market, with the development of new opportunities for farmers from products such as bioenergy.
In these markets, the idea of tall straight trees may be replaced by species that are suited to specific conditions such as lower rainfall areas with larger temperature extremes and a capacity to produce biomass that can be readily harvested.
Brendan George NSW DPI, Tamworth
