Ecology, community and renewable timber were on the agenda last week as the NSW Minister for Agriculture, The Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC spent time in Bagawa State Forest near Coffs Harbour.

Minister Moriarty said the field visit provided a deeper understanding of how State forests are managed to balance multiple uses and objectives.

“State forests are unique because they are managed for a much wider range of uses than any other public forest type. Forestry Corporation is appointed to balance environmental conservation, tourism, fire, pests and weeds, roads, access for primary production such as apiary and grazing, and renewable timber production,” Minister Moriarty said.

“As the Minister for Agriculture, I have made it a priority to get out in the field to understand hands-on how these objectives are balanced.

“In the Coffs Harbour region, State forests contain natural forests managed for conservation and tourism, native forests that have been continually harvested for timber and regrown for 100 years as well as hardwood timber plantations.

“I was pleased to meet with Forestry Corporation’s Senior Manager Environment and Sustainability Dean Kearney and Senior Ecologist Chris Slade, who explained how these different forest types are managed, the detailed environmental planning processes that are followed and some of the monitoring and research underway in these forests.

“Forestry Corporation is a land manager that also produces timber, and the region’s forests are extensively used for mountain biking, four wheel driving, trail biking, horse riding, dog walking, community clubs from archery clubs to pony clubs, and events ranging from orienteering and regaining to car rallies.

“Balancing these multiple uses and users is complex and there are teams of staff involved in carrying out environmental surveys and planning and managing forest operations, as well as teams who develop and manage tourism sites, build partnerships with community groups and Aboriginal communities, maintain roads, carry out fire hazard reduction and fire fighting, and manage pests and weeds.

“Over the coming weeks I also hope to spend time in the field visiting other forest types including softwood plantations and to meet with stakeholders.”

Image: Minister for Agriculture The Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC with Forestry Corporation of NSW Senior Ecologist Chris Slade in Bagawa State Forest.

Media contact: Rod Campbell