Ahead of the NSW state election on 25 March 2023, the NSW Government caretaker period has commenced. Limited updates will be made to this website during this period.
The NSW Government manages softwood and hardwood plantations and native forests for multiple uses – this includes selling forest products like timber to industry to process and take to market.
NSW forests are made up of public and privately owned plantation and natural forests that are managed for economic (wood and forest products), social (jobs and recreation) and environmental benefits (carbon, biodiversity and soil and water conservation), and cultural heritage values.
For over a century, timber harvesting has occurred in NSW creating regional jobs and ensuring a supply of timber from sustainably managed sources. Find out more about the forestry industry.
Three government agencies share responsibility for the management of native forestry operations in NSW.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries, Forestry Corporation of NSW and the EPA are responsible for delivering the NSW Forestry Industry Roadmap released mid-2016. The roadmap is a strategic action plan to build a stronger, more competitive and ecologically sustainable forestry industry. It represents a clear statement from the NSW Government that it supports the NSW forestry industry, which is critical for many towns in regional NSW and the construction of new homes in Sydney.
Find out more about the NSW Forestry Industry Roadmap.