Managing pests and weeds in State forests
Forestry Corporation has been appointed to manage around two million hectares of State forests. Feral animals and weeds occur across the landscape, on State forests, national parks and private properties and each of these land managers has biosecurity obligations under the Biosecurity Act.
The most effective management of pest animals and weeds comes when there is a coordinated approach between all land owners. There is a great deal of collaboration required between land managers to coordinate strategies and programs to effectively manage pests and weeds across the landscape and Local Land Services (LLS) is the lead NSW Government agency that coordinates these activities. See the Local Land Services website for further information.
Pest animal management
Pest animals such as feral cats, foxes, wild dogs and pigs can post a danger to native wildlife through predation or competition for food and can also threaten livestock on adjoining farmland.
Forestry Corporation has obligations to address these risks by controlling pest animals on State forests. Forestry Corporation participates in a range of joint multi-agency and private landholder control programs to mitigate the impact of pest animals across the landscape. These include carefully planned and targeted baiting programs coordinated by LLS and implementation of wild dog management plans put together by LLS with the input of land managers and private landholders at a local community level. Recreational hunting also takes place in State forests, which complements formal pest animal control programs.
Following the 2019-20 fires, coordinated baiting programs have also been carried out across several regions in partnership between LLS and public and private landholders to address the increasing threat of wild dogs and foxes due to the bushfires and drought.
Weed management
Forestry Corporation takes a coordinated and proactive approach to managing pests and weeds across the landscape in collaboration with other land managers. Forestry Corporation works with local councils and Local Land Services to identify priority pests and weeds and carry out targeted control works across the landscape to maximise effectiveness.
Visit the LLS website for more information about Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans.
In timber plantations, weed control is also carried out at the beginning of each plantation’s 30-40 year life cycle to control pest plants like blackberries, lantana and camphor laurel and get new tree seedlings established quickly so they can outcompete weeds. The most effective way to do this is by spraying the area before the new seedlings are planted. Weed treatment in plantations is generally only carried out two or three times in each 30 or 40 year rotation and each time it is carefully managed.
Each time a herbicide treatment is required, Forestry Corporation assesses the most appropriate application method taking into account the proximity to towns or neighbours, topography and site access. All pesticides, including herbicides, used in Australia must be registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Registration by the APVMA indicates that, if used according to the label directions, the product poses no risk to the environment, worker safety or public health.Forestry Corporation engages trained professionals to apply herbicides in line with the label directions and in adherence with environmental regulations.
Notifying forest users
As a public land manager, we do have responsibilities to carry out activities that create extra hazards and risks within State forests from time to time.
In line with the Pesticides Regulation 2009, Forestry Corporation of NSW has a Pesticide Use Notification Plan that sets out how, when and where it will notify the general public of any recent or intended pesticide applications to prescribed public places under its control. There are also very specific requirements under the 1080 pesticide control orders that Forestry Corporation must adhere to whenever using this sort of baiting.
We do work hard to notify visitors, forest neighbours and local communities, but visitors are reminded to always check our website before visiting a State forest and pay attention to signs within the forest.
Protecting your dog
Dogs are welcomed in State forests, but dog owners are reminded that baiting programs take place periodically in State forests across the landscape. While 1080 baits are designed not to pose a risk to native wildlife, they can be very harmful to dogs and foxes.
When visiting a State forest with your dog:
- always be on the look out for 1080 signage - this form of bait will always be signposted
- keep a close watch on your dog and prevent them from eating any unknown items on the ground - dogs must be under the owner's control at all times
- if you observe or suspect your dog has eaten a 1080 bait, contact your vet immediately for advice.