Forests NSW propose to continue to undertake timber harvesting and associated road work operations within management areas in south-western NSW that involves:

• harvesting river red gum and white cypress forests.
• road work operations associated with the harvesting.

Environmental Impact Statement

Forests NSW has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with a court agreement and consistent with Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the Project.

Persons making submissions should note that the EIS has been prepared in compliance with a settlement of court proceedings between the parties to the proceedings, and that it was not prepared to comply with NSW’s principal planning and assessment legislation (the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979). Therefore while submissions may be made and will be noted by Forests NSW they are unlikely to be addressed by the Department of Planning in accordance with that legislation.

The EIS provides:

• Information on the project, including the need for the project, its strategic context and the alternatives considered; and
• An assessment of the potential key environmental impacts of the project.

Assessments 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.

Download	File Details
EIS Volume 1, TOC & Pages 1-13	7.4 Mb
EIS Volume 1, Pages 14-117	6.3 Mb
EIS Volume 1, Pages 118-383	5.2 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix A	6.5 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix B	3.2 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix C	2.9 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix D	5.8 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix E	2.8 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix F	5.3 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix G	7.4 Mb
EIS Volume 2, Appendix H	2.8 Mb
EIS Volume 3, Pages 1-17	7.8 Mb
EIS Volume 3, Pages 18-71	1.4 Mb
EIS Volume 3, Pages 72-126	6.5 Mb
EIS Volume 3, Pages 127-165	2.2 Mb
EIS Volume 3, Pages 166-240	7.4 Mb
EIS Volume 3, Pages 241-463	1.3 Mb
EIS Volume 4	6.5 Mb
EIS Volume 5	9.5 Mb

Forests NSW

Forests NSW is responsible for sustainably managing more than two million hectares of public native and planted forests. Forests NSW’s management areas include river red gum and white cypress forests of south-western NSW. These areas have been managed as multiple-use forests for over 150 years.

Forests NSW undertakes a range of management practices to retain the conservation value of the forests. This includes providing timber and other services, such as grazing and recreation, which support local communities and industries.

These management practices are certified under the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) AS-4708 and recognised under the International Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes. Forests NSW Environmental Management System is also certified to ISO 14001 and the effectiveness of the multipurpose management recognised in the Ramsar listing of working State forests within the Murray Management Area.

Ecologically sustainable forest management

Two ecologically sustainable forest management (ESFM) plans have been prepared that incorporate the south-western region, the Western and Riverina ESFM Plans.

The plans include strategies to achieve objectives that cover key areas of forest management including natural, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural heritage; nature conservation; forest health; sustainable timber supply; economic development; social development; forestry operations; and consultation, monitoring and reporting.

The ESFM planning is an integral part of Forests NSW environmental management system and provides a systematic and accountable approach to measuring, monitoring and managing performance relating to ecological sustainability. A key component of this planning is Forests NSW Forest Management Zoning System (FMZ).

FMZ is a land classification system which sets out in map format the way Forests NSW intends to manage forest areas across the entire estate. It was developed by Forests NSW in consultation with other government agencies, including Department of Environment and Climate Change and Department of Planning, and community groups.

The FMZ system is based on nationally agreed reserve criteria and clear differentiation between those areas of State forests which are specifically set aside for conservation and those areas that are available for other activities including timber harvesting.

The project study area

The state forests and crown timber lands in the study area have been previously subject to timber harvesting, silvicultural and other forest management activities for more than a century.

Download	File Details
Study area map	1.2 mb

The study area includes around 150,000 ha of flood plain forests (mostly river red gum and black box) and dry land forests (mostly white cypress and various hardwood). River red gum is also harvested on 162,000 ha of Crown land. These areas currently supply about 170,000 m³ of commercial timber a year.

Over half the river red gum in the study area is declared wetland under the international Ramsar convention. The convention permits the appropriate and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources by current and future populations. The listing acknowledges the working forest status and timber harvesting is part of the management and conservation of these areas.

Need for the project

The timber industry has operated for over 150 years in the study area and provides a significant source of employment. In addition, the rivers, forests and other natural features attract an increasing number of visitors to the region and provide employment in the hospitality, retail and tourism industries. Providing for the long term viability of forestry and associated industries is considered to provide a substantial socio-economic benefit at local and regional levels.

By obtaining approval for forestry activities on a regional basis, the project would provide long-term access to sustainable forest resources. This would ensure forestry continues to make a substantial contribution to the local and regional economy. It would also provide the industry with a surety to invest in services, infrastructure, and technologies to produce premium products.

Need to see a hardcopy of the EIS?

The EIS can also be inspected during business hours at the following offices throughout the exhibition period:

• Forests NSW offices at Dubbo, Deniliquin and Sydney (West Pennant Hills);
• The Sydney office of The Environment Centre (NSW);
• Department of Planning, Sydney;
• Department of Lands, Dubbo;

and the principal office of Council of the following Local Government areas:

• Balranald
• Berrigan
• Bland
• Bogan
• Cabonne
• Carrathool
• Cobar
• Conargo
• Coolamon
• Cootamundra
• Corowa
• Cowra
• Deniliquin
• Dubbo
• Forbes
• Griffith
• Hay
• Jerilderie
• Junee
• Lachlan
• Leeton
• Lockhart
• Murray
• Murrumbidgee
• Narromine
• Narrandera
• Parkes
• Temora
• Urana
• Wagga Wagga
• Wakool
• Weddin
• Wentworth
• Young

Feedback closes Wednesday 1st July 2009

Persons making submissions should note that the EIS has been prepared in compliance with a settlement of court proceedings between the parties to the proceedings, and that it was not prepared to comply with NSW’s principal planning and assessment legislation (the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979). Therefore while submissions may be made and will be noted by Forests NSW they are unlikely to be addressed by the Department of Planning in accordance with that legislation.

Submissions on the EIS can be sent to Riverina EIS as follows:

Submissions close at 5pm on 1 July 2009.