A three-day blitz will be held at Chichester State Forest over the New Year’s Eve weekend to ensure visitors play by the rules this summer.

Forestry Corporation will team up with NSW Police to set up checkpoints at all forest entry points, reminding visitors about conditions of entry with the aim of stamping out any antisocial behaviour.

Forestry Corporation’s Partnerships Leader Mike Hill said there would be an increased presence of Forestry Corporation’s authorised officers and police at the Allyn River visitor area within Chichester State Forest throughout the coming months.

“Chichester State Forest has spectacular free camping areas featuring beautiful swimming holes along the Allyn River, so it’s a popular spot,” said Mr Hill.

“We welcome very large numbers to the Chichester State Forest during summer. We saw more than 1500 visitors over the Australia Day Weekend earlier this year. We’ve been working closely with Dungog Shire Council and Dungog Regional Tourism to better understand visitation to the region as these large numbers of visitors make a significant contribution to Dungog’s local economy.

“We’re urging visitors to be respectful. We ask that people camp and park in designated areas, place all rubbish in bins and keep noise and music to a minimum so that the forest stays family friendly.” Mr Hill said.

“Most rural roads are gravel and narrow with limited vision, so please slow down and consider our neighbours and other road users. Normal road rules apply to all roads within State forests.” said Mr Hill.

“We’ll also be reminding people to respect the river by keeping glass and alcoholic beverages away from the river banks and surrounding rocks. We all know alcohol and water don’t mix.”

The New Year’s Eve blitz follows several successful campaigns earlier in the year and will repeat the message to drive safely, camp in designated areas, keep glass out of the river, and be respectful to other visitors and forest neighbours so everyone can enjoy their forest experience.

Visit http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/ for more information about New South Wales State forests.

Media contact: Amanda McLeod 9407 4265 / 0408 779 903