Forestry Corporation of NSW is reminding Central Tablelands residents that parts of Kinross State Forest are closed to the public due to hazards presented by the current harvesting operations.

This follows multiple incidents where people have entered the harvesting operations, placing themselves and forestry workers at risk, said Harvesting Controller, Euan Scott.

“Harvesting operations are hazardous places, and we carefully manage access to these worksites to protect visitors and our staff,” Mr Scott said.

“As you can imagine, the danger from falling trees and large machinery moving around means that we need to stop people from entering these areas.

“We use forest closed signs and other signs around the forest to let people know what is going on and where it is unsafe to enter. We ask people to read these carefully and stay out of the forest.

“No access means driving, walking, riding bikes or horses, or even taking your dog for a walk. It just isn’t safe.”

The multi-year operation started in October 2020 to harvest and replant pine plantations in Kinross State forest, producing enough timber to construct the frames for more than 3,000 homes and fit out their kitchens and closets.

The Kinross State Forest pine plantations were planted nearly 30 years ago, and will be again fully replanted after harvesting to supply renewable timber for the future.

“Our local pine plantations are sustainably managed to provide our communities with a balance of all that they have to offer; including economic, environmental and social outcomes,” Mr Scott said.

“Kinross has been a favourite location for our communities to ride bikes and walk in, and will be again for another 30 years, however the pine plantations have now reached an ideal age to harvest.

“We encourage people to explore other local State forest recreational areas in the Orange local area.”

The timber from the Kinross State Forest operations will provide an essential renewable resource to the local timber industry and will be transported to Bathurst, Oberon and beyond to be processed into a range of building products.

The harvesting operation will take around 18 months to complete, depending on seasonal conditions, after which Forestry Corporation will prepare the site for new seedlings to be planted.

“We’ll then hand plant around 1000 seedlings per hectare to completely re-establish the plantations to provide renewable timber products for the next generation,” Mr Scott said.

“The harvesting operation will only take place within the 388 hectares of pine plantation within Kinross State Forest; however some sections of the wider Kinross State Forest may be closed at times for haulage safety.”

Forestry Corporation has a dedicated section on its website for the Kinross operation at www.forestrycorporation.com.au/kinross

Media contact: Rod Campbell +61428058549