State Forests seeks public comment on its revised harvesting code

State Forests is seeking public comment on its draft Forest Practices Code which when finalised this year will replace the 1995 code.

State Forests executive general manager based at Albury, Mr Peter Crowe, said the draft code ‘Part 1 Timber Harvesting in State Forests Plantations’ serves to regulate harvesting operations throughout State Forests softwood and hardwood plantations in NSW.

He said it also provided information to anyone interested in good plantation management.

“The code was drafted with reference to changes in legislation and regulations, a public consultation process and the history of best management practice in State Forests,” he said.

“The code is about protecting the forest environment, protecting the value of the crop, maintaining a safe workplace, ensuring proper accounting procedures for timber and communicating these rules to all stakeholders.”

Mr Crowe said State Forests and the NSW Government have a policy of transparency in dealings with the public and stood to benefit considerably from stakeholder participation in the review process to ensure that the code reflected the needs of all users.

The provisions of the code are binding on all parties involved in the organisation, management and practice of obtaining timber products from State Forests plantations.

Copies of the draft Code may be obtained from State Forests divisional or regional offices, or by writing to the executive general manager, State Forests Planted Forests Division, C/O Nick Westman, PO Box 915, ALBURY NSW 2640 or from the State Forests internet site http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/.

Written submissions should be sent to the executive general manager, State Forests Planted Forests Division, C/O Nick Westman, PO Box 915, ALBURY NSW 2640 or e-mailed to forestcode@sf.nsw.gov.au.

The closing date for submissions on the draft code is 4 pm Friday 19 March 2004.

Media contact: Nick Westman on (02) 6777 2511 or Dave Cromarty on (02) 6043 6308.