Voluntary measures in certain forests

Native forests in parts of south east and north east NSW were impacted by severe bushfires during the 2019-20 summer. As these forests regenerate and recover, additional precautionary environmental protection measures are voluntarily being applied during forestry operations. A landscape-scale monitoring program is also underway to monitor recovery.

Native forestry is regulated by Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (IFOAs). The extent of the 2019-20 fires covered large parts of coastal NSW State forests in which the Coastal IFOA (CIFOA) applies. Forestry Corporation applies additional voluntary precautionary measures to supplement the robust environmental conditions of the CIFOA that are assessed and applied during preparation and approval of applicable harvest plans.

All operations must comply with the conditions of the CIFOA. The CIFOA details broad area and targeted flora and fauna surveys and exclusion zones (areas where no forestry can occur) that must be established to protect habitat and environmental features. Forestry Corporation applies additional measures in certain geographic areas. These are:

  • No timber harvesting will occur in the Narooma Management Area before 1 April 2027
  • In the South Coast and Eden subregions, an additional 10‑metre harvesting exclusion is added to all mapped CIFOA exclusion zones within fire‑affected Local Landscape Areas
  • In the Styx River, Casino, Grafton, Dorrigo, Tenterfield and Glen Innes Management Areas, an additional 10‑metre harvesting exclusion is added to all Class 3 and 4 stream riparian exclusion zones within fire‑affected Local Landscape Areas.

The CIFOA was developed by the NSW Government with the input of expert panels and informed by engagement with community stakeholders. The additional precautionary measures adopted by Forestry Corporation align with advice provided by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to the NSW Government.

Compliance with the CIFOA is independently regulated and enforced by the Environment Protection Authority. While Forestry Corporation's additional precautions are voluntary, any measures written into a harvest plan must be complied with by operators. Forestry Corporation routinely conducts quality assurance audits to ensure ongoing compliance with harvest plan conditions.

A landscape-scale program has been established and is overseen by the NRC to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the CIFOA. The program commenced soon after then 2019-20 wildfires and is tracking fire recovery. The latest progress report was published in December 2025.