Forestry Corporation of NSW has reached an important recovery milestone – two million tonnes of fire-affected timber harvested, hauled and sold from the organisation’s bushfire-affected Tumut and Bombala softwood plantations.

Forestry Corporation’s Acting Snowy Regional Manager, Louise Bourke, said the milestone represents around 46,700 truckloads of logs and was a significant boost for communities recovering from the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season.

“Congratulations to our staff and industry partners for this result,” Ms Bourke said.

“The salvage harvesting program has meant the local timber industry has had an incredibly busy year, and can continue to support the region’s recovery from the impact of the bushfire season.”

Forestry Corporation is working with local harvesting and haulage contractors and mills to help ensure timber is available for the NSW community to rebuild after the fires.

“Whilst the fire was clearly a devastating event, the recovery process has been a boost for some local contracting businesses this year in what are otherwise very difficult times,” Ms Bourke said.

Roughly one third of the plantations in the area surrounding Tumut and Bombala were impacted by the 2019-2020 bushfires.

Fire-affected timber has the same structural properties as unburnt timber, so can be harvested and processed into house frames, furniture and other essential renewable wood products.

After a fire, there is a 12-month window to salvage the timber before it starts to deteriorate.

To find out more about Forestry Corporation and the recovery harvesting program, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Media contact: Rod Campbell 0428 058 549