Special Purpose Permits for Forestry Research

Introduction

The forests of New South Wales offer many opportunities to increase our understanding of natural ecosystems through scientific research. Properly designed research projects which involve systematic investigation or survey of forests are a valuable source of knowledge. Forests NSW recognises the value of the contributions made by research workers to our knowledge of the forests. Incorporation of significant findings into forest management plans will help to maintain the full range of values present in our forests. External researchers are encouraged to undertake appropriately targeted research in State forests by application for a Special Purposes Permit.

Policy

The Permit system exists to supervise and assist in the pursuit of bona fide scientific research into the forest ecosystems of New South Wales which are controlled by Forests NSW. A further important objective is to avoid conflict between forest management activities and any scientific studies and to protect the safety of researchers while they are working in the forests.

Permits are issued for a period of up to twelve months on application to Forests NSW, Research and Development. There is no charge for a Special Purposes Permit for Research. Renewal of a Permit will depend upon compliance with the conditions.

Where the Permit authorises activities involving vertebrate animals, the holder is to be in possession of the appropriate Animal Research Authority, as required by the Animal Research Act No. 123 and Animal Research Regulation 1990 No. 403. [See ACEC form]

Where the Permit authorises the collection of protected fauna or flora, the holder is required to carry the appropriate licence or authority issued by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (National Parks and Wildlife Service) and must hold valid Animal Care and Ethics approval, where appropriate.

All collections of fauna and flora should, as far as practicable, be made out of the sight or sound of members of the public.

Sightings of threatened species listed on Schedules 1 and 2 of the Threatened Species’ Conservation Act, 1995, or any flora, fauna or other features which are rare or otherwise important, are to be reported to the local Regional Manager immediately, if possible, but within 48 hours of sighting, and a report forwarded to Forests NSW.

Collections are not permitted from flora reserves, forest preserves or specified areas unless specific approval has been obtained.

Type specimens of any new species of insects, fauna, flora or fungi found during the conduct of the activity are to be deposited, with appropriate documentation, with the Australian Museum, Sydney (fauna), the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra (insects), the National Herbarium, Sydney (flora) or DAR Herbarium, Agricultural Research and Veterinary Centre, Orange (fungi). Where possible, paratype material should be lodged in the Forests NSW collections.

A representative collection of all flora, insect and fungal material taken from each State forest should be lodged, as far as possible, with the Forests NSW collections.

Specimens collected under the authority of the Permit are not to be offered for sale.

Permit holders are required to provide a written report on their findings to Forests NSW within two months of completing their activity and, in addition, a summary report within each 12 months period after issue and prior to expiry of the Permit.

Forests NSW will not be held responsible for any damage or loss sustained on study areas where scheduled forest operations, such as forest treatment, logging, roading, burning, etc. are likely to occur.

Permits

Each Permit is issued with a unique identifying number.

Standard conditions apply to the issue of Special Purposes Permits for Research, and further special conditions may also be imposed where necessary. For further information click here.

Application Procedures

See forms attached below

Completed application forms can be sent to:

researchspp@sf.nsw.gov.au

Faxed 02 9871 6941

Mailed to:
Special Purpose Permits for Research
Forests NSW
PO Box 100
Beecroft NSW 2119