Forestry Corporation of NSW acknowledges today’s outcome of legal proceedings related to an operation in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest in July 2020.

CEO Anshul Chaudhary said, “We sincerely apologise for removing nine trees that were required to be protected and have taken significant steps to address the issue and prevent this from happening again.”

We have permanently protected 36 additional trees in the compartment with guidance from an expert ecologist, applying a 4:1 replacement ratio. We have also funded the installation of 12 nest boxes to provide habitat for a range of species.

These measures are in addition to more than 400 hollow bearing trees that had already been identified and retained in the operational area as well hundreds of other trees set aside for other environmental purposes in this selective harvesting operation. Since the error occurred, the harvested area has regenerated

We immediately reviewed and updated our standard operating procedures and staff training. These changes ensure the relevant regulations are clearly communicated and understood by our staff and contractors, minimising the risk of similar errors in future operations.

As part of sentencing, we participated in a restorative justice process that included representatives of the local Aboriginal community. In lieu of a fine, the court has ordered for a payment to the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation to fund actions identified by community representatives through the restorative justice process.

Statement on Wild Cattle Creek court judgment