Environmental Assessment taking place in south west NSW

During the next 20 years, Forests NSW is proposing to conduct selective tree harvesting and associated road maintenance within State forests and some Crown timbered lands in south western NSW.

To assure the public harvesting is sustainable and fully complies with legislation, the NSW Government has announced its intention to complete an environmental assessment of timber harvesting in the NSW Riverina area, which is now underway.

Assessments will include sustainable timber supply, flora and fauna, air quality, noise, heritage, water quality, aquatic habitat, traffic and transport, climate change, cumulative impacts and socioeconomic impacts.

The environmental assessment is due for exhibition in mid 2009.

To give the community the opportunity to further understand the assessment process, and meet the people involved, community ‘drop in’ sessions are being held from 3pm to 7pm at the following venues:

• Monday 27 October at Mildura - Alfred Deakin Centre, 180-190 Deakin Ave.
• Tuesday 28 October at Barham - Barham RSL, 6 Niemur Street.
• Wednesday 29 October at Deniliquin - Deniliquin RSL, 72 End Street.
• Thursday 30 October at Narrandera - Bowling Club, Bolton Street.
• Friday 31 October at Griffith - Griffith Regional Theatre, 1 Neville Place.

The area subject to review consists of predominantly river red gum and associated black box forest types, while the remainder are dry land forests, predominantly white cypress and various hardwood forest types. 

These areas currently supply about 170,000 cubic metres of commercial timber a year.

Forests NSW manager Western Region, Paul Wells, said the community ‘drop in’ sessions were an opportunity for people to share their views and ideas and give an indication of what issues they viewed as a priority.

For more information or to provide your feedback, please contact 1800 258 528, or email communityinput@ghd.com.au, or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/riverinaea.

Feedback can be provided in writing to:

There will be an opportunity to make further comments during the exhibition period in mid 2009.