Forestry Corporation of NSW has announced an open tender for the loading and haulage of logs from the state’s softwood plantations.

Forestry Corporation is inviting bids from interested parties for the loading and haulage of logs from softwood plantation forests in the Bathurst, Walcha, and Bombala areas to sawmills across the state.

The open tender process is designed to select the most efficient and safety-focused contractors for this large-scale transport task, with contracts set to start on July 1, 2024 and run for a period of five years, with two one-year extension periods.

"With the announcement of this tender, Forestry Corporation is not only supporting the responsible management of a valuable renewable resource, but also providing long-term contract opportunities that will benefit regional businesses and communities across the state," Rachel Johnson, General Manager Softwood Products Division said.

The quantity of logs to be handled each year will be between 600,000 and 900,000 tonnes, transported across multiple freight lanes.

This is one of the largest regional transport projects in the NSW market.

"The loading and haulage of plantation softwood is a critical part of the timber industry in NSW, and this new tender presents a unique opportunity for contractors to support the sustainable use of a renewable resource while driving economic growth in regional areas," Peter Stiles, Sales and Procurement Manager said.

Safety is a top priority for Forestry Corporation, and contractors will be required to fully comply with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (NSW) (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations, integrating CoR requirements into their operations and fostering a safety culture consistent with that of Forestry Corporation.

In addition to safety, cost efficiency is also expected, and Forestry Corporation is seeking innovative solutions for the delivery of services.

The use of higher mass limited vehicles and multi-modal rail and road solutions is encouraged, as Forestry Corporation seeks to minimise environmental impact and optimise transport efficiency.

"By investing in the responsible management of softwood plantations, Forestry Corporation is demonstrating its commitment to both the environment and the local economy. We are excited to see the positive impact that these long-term contracts will have on regional businesses and communities,” Dean Anderson, Regional Manager Snowy Region said.

The open tender process is expected to attract strong interest from transport operators across South-eastern Australia, and Forestry Corporation looks forward to partnering with the best companies to deliver this important project.

Tender documents are available on the NSW Government eTender website, and tenders close on June 21, 2023.

“We want to foster successful long-term partnerships with carriers so they and the communities they are part of can benefit from the significant growth opportunities available,” Jason Molkentin, Regional Manager Northern Region said.

This is a unique opportunity for transport contractors to secure a long-term contract with one of the largest forestry corporations in NSW.

The successful bidders will provide all necessary management, administration, and coordination activities to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the log product loading and/or haulage services to Forestry Corporation.

Media contact: Matt Deans 0429 621 845