Parts of Coopernook State Forest, including the Coopernook HQ picnic and camping grounds, will be temporarily closed from 26 April, to allow the safe completion of operations to selectively harvest renewable timber products in the adjoining forest.

Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Partnerships Leader Leah Moncrieff said operations alongside the campground were scheduled in the quietest period of the year to minimise inconvenience to visitors.

“Coopernook State Forest is a great place to visit, offering free short-term camping as well as access for four-wheel driving, trail biking, mountain biking, horse riding, bushwalking and more,” Ms Moncrieff said.

“Like many of the forests on the north coast, it is also a regrowth forest that is continually harvested for renewable wood products and then regrown for the future. For the safety of visitors, while operations are underway we must temporarily close parts of the forest.

“We welcome many visitors and campers each year to Coopernook HQ, so we have planned operations located close to the campsite carefully to take place outside of the peak summer and school holiday periods.

“The picnic and camping areas at Coopernook HQ will be closed from 26 April, which is the end of the school holidays, and weather permitting, we hope to reopen these areas in June.

“During this time, we encourage visitors to explore some of our other forest visitor areas in the region. Swans Crossing in Kerewong State Forest has picnic and camping facilities and is great for families. Old Bottlebutt, the largest recorded Red Bloodwood tree in the southern hemisphere, is nestled in Burrawan State Forest and is a highly recommended day trip for those seeking an immersive forest experience.”

Harvesting Manager Alex Flint thanked visitors for their patience during the harvesting operations and reminded forest users to pay attention to signage in the forest.

“The same State forests are continually harvested for timber and regrown in carefully managed selective operations that produce essential timber products while protecting environmental values and ensuring the harvested area regrows for the future,” Mr Flint said.

“Coopernook State Forest was last selectively harvested and regrown in 2008 and areas are now being harvested and regrown again.

“Timber harvesting operations are worksites with heavy vehicles and machinery, so we temporarily close areas we operate in to keep visitors safe. If you are planning to visit the forest, please visit our website to check the latest information about closures and pay attention to any signage in the forest.

“Operations in Coopernook and Lansdowne State Forest will be processed by local businesses into a range of essential timber products such as power poles, structural timbers for bridges and girders, and flooring and decking for houses, which are in high demand from communities throughout NSW.

“Timber is the most renewable building product available and every time a tree is harvested, a tree regenerates in its place to regrow for future generations.”

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