Claims about State Forests wrong
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Claims made in today’s Sun-Herald regarding State Forests are wrong.
The piece confuses the normal requirement to review State Government regulations with a review into plantation reform.
According to the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, the State Government is required to review regulations every five years under the Subordinate Legislation Act of 1989.
“This is just good Government practice,” Mr Macdonald said.
“The commencement of the review into the Forest Regulation of 1999 last week was simply part of that process.
“There were no major amendments proposed to the regulation and in no way do the amendments facilitate any change in the commercial operation of State Forests.
“NSW has had a timber licensing process in place since 1916 to facilitate the management of timber on public lands.
“The State Government has made no decision on future arrangements of State Forest plantations.
“The regulation review and the review into plantation reform are completely separate issues.”
Media contact: Carina Bates on 9228 3344 or 0411 021 412.