NSW EPA to strengthen forestry regulation
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will further strengthen its capabilities and response to native forestry regulation after accepting all four recommendations in an Audit Office report tabled in NSW Parliament today.
The Native Public Forestry Regulation Audit assessed how effectively Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) manages its public native forestry activities to ensure compliance, and how effectively the EPA regulates these activities.
Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Regional Carmen Dwyer welcomed the findings and said the EPA has strong regulatory capabilities and is pleased the audit office recognised these.
“The native forests of NSW are one of our most valuable assets, providing environmental, cultural and socio-economic benefits,” Ms Dwyer said.
“Strong and effective regulation is critical to ensuring our state forests are protected for future generations.
“Two of the four recommendations have already been implemented and we are now focused on supporting our staff in driving best practice to ensure a sustainable native forestry industry.
“Last year, we began additional advanced officer training and will continue provide this to staff on an ongoing basis. We have now fully implemented the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires.
“By December this year, we will have documented and explained our approach to risk assessments in the Western Integrated Forestry Operations Approval Areas.
“We are also investing in new technologies and equipment to ensure our staff are better resourced to undertake forestry inspections across the state.
“The report is a big acknowledgement of the great work our forestry officers do every-day and I want thank them for the actions they take wherever we find non-compliance.”
The EPA will continue to work with FCNSW to ensure it understands its obligations. For more information the EPA’s regulatory approach of native forestry visit the EPA’s website.