Private native forestry: New maps to help North Coast farmers branch out?

Data from government’s new satellite survey has shed light on the status of the region’s privately owned forests, finding a large number of properties could be more actively managed for forestry and other environmental and social values. 

The mapping comes as government develops its new regulatory framework for native forestry that "aims to balance environmental protection and a sustainable timber industry".

Late last year government also announced Local Land Services would take on a new role providing advice to landholders and managing approvals for private native forestry in 2018 – a move enthusiastically welcomed by NSW Farmers. 

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Private native forests span more than 2.9 million hectares of North Coast land – making up more than half of the forests in the region.

DPI director forest research and policy, Paul Wells, said the $750,000 mapping project surveyed more than 600 landholders, wood processors and contractors, and mapped more than five million hectares of North Coast forests. Forests have been mapped into timber yield association groups. 

“We have produced a range of practical resources for landholders to assess their own land – a level of data that the North Coast has not had access to before,” he said. 

“It’s been a bit of a back paddock thought but there are big untapped opportunities here. It’s not subject to drought, it’s something that can be integrated into a whole property management plan.” 

The entire forestry sector is worth $2.4 billion to NSW and is responsible for 22,300 jobs – 42 per cent of which are in regional areas. Private native forestry is worth $465 million to the state annually. 

Environmental groups and The Greens say logging in native forests is unnecessary, destructive and must be stopped.

Oft-cited fears include alleged non-compliance and favourable treatment for industry, including towards the state-owned Forestry Corporation. 

Mr Wells said Private Native Forestry often copped unfair press. 

“It is not land clearing,” he said. “Everyone focuses on cutting trees down, but it is also growing trees and managing it sustainably. We’re talking about a renewable resource.” 

All of the region’s forests have been mapped into timber yield association groups using satellite imagery. 

Mr Wells said with the right care, currently underutilised resources could fuel an industry that has the potential to create a new job for every additional 533 cubic metres that is processed.

“Aerial photography was also used to assess one million hectares of timber resources, with the information consolidated into forest growth status and site productivity maps,” Mr Wells said.

“These mapping products allow landholders to consider their property from a forestry value perspective.” 

While three quarters of the private native forestry on the North Coast are commercial forest types that can be sustainably managed for timber, Mr Wells said forest productivity is well below what it could be.

“Data on stand condition suggests there is great potential to improve the health and productive capacity of these forests through more active management,” he said. 

“There’s a great opportunity to engage with landholders more to increase their awareness and education of silvicultural practices, which can deliver major returns in the medium to long-term.” 

Government says Australia imports more forest products than it exports.

With an average annual trade deficit of $2 billion, the local forestry industry is competing with cheaper imports from countries where environmental standards are often inferior.

A review into the Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice will also be undertaken in 2018, including further work on the most appropriate regulatory model as part of the NSW Government’s plan to update private native forestry regulation.

To view a selection of the North Coast PNF resources, visit NSW Department of Primary Industries website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.