Register of Crown forestry investigations

View the register of EPA investigations into native forestry operations in Crown forests.

Previously we reported only on investigations that were in response to a community report. We are now reporting on all Crown forestry investigations.

The stages of an investigation are

  • Under Investigation: the EPA is investigating the matter, collecting evidence to determine if a breach has occurred.
    Investigation timeframes include both collection of evidence and legal review.
  • Prosecution Commenced: the case is with the courts for a ruling or for sentencing. This category only applies to matters for prosecution.
  • Investigation Completed: the investigation has been finalised and an outcome reached or recommended.

Current investigations

Last updated 11 August 2022

Investigation Title Investigation Stage Date Investigation Commenced Allegation Category
Currowan 502A
Under investigation
January 2022
Alleged soil erosion and/or water pollution
Mogo 146A
Under investigation
January 2022
Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
Coopernook State Forest Under investigation December 2021 Alleged damage to environmentally significant area

Conglomerate State Forest

Under investigation

May 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Wild Cattle Creek 32, 33, 34

Prosecution commenced

July 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Wild Cattle Creek 32, 33, 34 (Part 2) Prosecution commenced
July 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Yambulla State Forest 299A

Prosecution commenced

October 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Tomerong State Forest 1199

Prosecution commenced

October 2019

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Completed investigations

Investigation Title Date Investigation Commenced Allegation Category Outcome Date Completed
South Brooman 58A – Part 2 6 October 2020  Alleged felling of 5 hollow bearing trees after re-commencement of harvest operations (post SWO)  Penalty notice issued to FCNSW   23 June 2022
Dampier State Forest May 2019 Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities FCNSW were convicted of 3 charges, ordered to pay fines of $230,000 and the EPA's costs of $8,000 23 June 2022
Wild Cattle Creek  Cpts. 537 539 540 and 548 December 2018 Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
FCNSW were convicted of 4 charges, ordered to pay fines of $135,600 and the EPA’s costs of $150,000
9 June 2022
Lower Bucca State Forest 8-14 CIFOA
June 2020 Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
Official Caution and advisory letter issued to FCNSW
19 April 2022
Lower Bucca State Forest 8-14 CIFOA
June 2020 Alleged issues identified relating to operational planning requirements
Discontinued. Closed out with correspondence
19 April 2022
Forestry Corp of NSW – Norwood Western Land Lease
May 2021 Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
Discontinued due to lack of evidence 7 April 2022
Forestry Corp of NSW – Woodmount Western Land Lease
May 2021
Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
Discontinued due to lack of evidence
10 March 2022
Mogo 161, 173A, 174 August 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

3 penalty notices issued to FCNSW 21 December 2021

Yambulla S.F, Cpts 345A, 350A, 355A, 357A. CIFOA -SSC

22 July 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Advisory letter written.

3 August 2021

Bago 47A

October 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Advisory letter written.

16 November 2020

Styx River State Forest

29 October 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Formal warning issued.

20 January 2021

Wild Cattle Creek State Forest -Compartments 551, 552 and 553 -old IFOA

27 February 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Advisory letter written.

2 February 2021

Olney erosion control

23 April 2020

Alleged soil erosion and/or water pollution

Official caution issued.

3 September 2020

Olney exclusion zone breach

23 April 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Penalty notice issued.

16 February 2021

South Brooman Compartment 58A (Part 1)
June 2020 Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
Discontinued due to lack of evidence. 2 May 2022

Kalateenee State Forest, South Kempsey

22 May 2020

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Discontinued due to lack of evidence.

16 February 2021

Girard State Forest -Compartment 456
21 February 2020 Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
Advisory Letter issues 4 June 2021

Bodalla State Forest, Boyne State Forest and Mogo State Forest (Swift Parrots)

24 July 2019

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Two penalty notices issued and three official cautions issued to FCNSW.

1 March 2021

Ballengarra State Forest

21 August 2019

Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities

Two penalty notices and an official caution issued to FCNSW.

26 February 2021

Orara East 565 566 November 2018 Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
Two penalty notices issued 7 January 2020
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