Plantation forestry

NSW DPI Forestry Policy, Research and Development work to ensure that NSW has a competitive forest industry underpinned by forest resources that are accessible, healthy, bio-secure and sustainably managed.

Plantation forestry involves planting trees which may be managed for commercial timber production or environmental purposes. Plantation establishment and management operations on both Crown land (including state forests) and freehold land are regulated and supported by the department.

Regulation occurs through:

• the Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 - promotes plantation establishment for much needed timber resources on essentially cleared land, and provides a streamlined authorisation process
• the Plantations and Reafforestation (Code) Regulation 2001 - contains clear and comprehensive standards for establishment, management and harvesting operations on authorised plantations

All new plantations (except for plantations of less than 30 hectares which do not otherwise require development approval) must be authorised prior to their establishment. In addition, any existing unauthorised plantations are required to be authorised prior to commencement of forestry operations in excess of 30 hectares.

Plantation Assessment Officers provide support and advice to the industry, both during the authorisation process and at other times. The authorisation process involves:

• a single application, replacing the need for multiple licences and permits
• pre-application inspections to resolve issues in advance of formal applications
• streamlined assessment processes
• 14 day guarantee of service for complying plantations
• 40 day guarantee of service for non-complying plantations

Auditing of plantations is undertaken in accordance with the principles outlined in the Regulatory Policy (PDF, 449.39 KB).

Resources

Forms

• Application for plantation certificate (PDF, 348.51 KB)
• Notification of change in ownership of plantation form (DOCX, 65.78 KB)

Information

• Plantations Regulation - Overview of plantation authorisation requirements and available information (PDF, 398.78 KB)
• Plantations Regulation - Working with plantation neighbours (PDF, 326.84 KB)
• Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in Fire affected Plantations
• Profile of plantation authorisations (1 December 2001 to 30 June 2010)
• Fire standards information sheet
• Aboriginal heritage protection (PDF, 71.89 KB) information sheet
• Best management practices for retained areas in plantations (PDF, 986.2 KB)
• Applying for a plantation authorisation

Public Register

• Authorised plantations public register

Compliance policy and procedure

• Plantations Regulation Unit Prosecution Policy (PDF, 390.83 KB)
• Plantations Regulation Unit Regulatory Framework (PDF, 468.57 KB)
• Plantations Regulation Unit Regulatory Policy (PDF, 449.39 KB)
• Enforcement Response Guidelines
• Regulatory priorities 2021-2022 (PDF, 311.23 KB)
• Secretary Delegations under the Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 (PDF, 3671.73 KB)

Results

• NSW plantations authorisation snapshot – 2020-21 (PDF, 19464.62 KB)
• Plantations Regulation Unit Snapshot – Oct 2020 - June 2021 (PDF, 591.88 KB)

Contact

Contact NSW DPI Forestry Policy, Research & Development for advice on new plantations or if you have any concerns regarding plantation operations:

E: forests@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Please include as much details as possible regarding your concern or enquiry.

Plantations authorisations and audit team