Bermagui State Forest harvest planning under way

Forests NSW is preparing plans for the harvest of two compartments in Bermagui State Forest north of Bermagui.

The area was last harvested about 20 years ago.

"The forest forms part of the timber supply provided for under the Eden Regional Forest Agreement (www.daff.gov.au) between the NSW and Commonwealth governments," said Forests NSW Southern Region manager Ian Barnes.

"Thinning of the forest will yield essential high value sawlogs for industry in the southeast."

Mr Barnes said detailed planning for the harvest was well advanced, including comprehensive field surveys for a wide range of ecological values requiring protection, including possible koala presence.

Forests NSW has used its current koala survey method as well as a new survey method under development and neither has found any koala presence in the two compartments.

"A number of community groups and representatives have been consulted during the planning process," Mr Barnes said.

Mr Barnes said Forests NSW had an extensive history of the Bermagui State Forest, which showed that it was transformed from a virtual clearfelling about 80 years ago to become the sustainable forest that is present today.

"This forest demonstrates the way a planned and well managed forest can be created for the ongoing benefit of local communities," Mr Barnes said.

"The history shows us that after the planned harvest, the Bermagui State Forest will continue to be a sustainable spotted gum forest ecosystem with similar environmental, economic and social values that it has today."

Further reading

Managing forests