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.
- To make a report, contact the EPA’s Environment Line on 131 555 or [email protected]
- For information on any investigations contact us on 131 555 or [email protected]
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: 30 June 2025
| Investigation Title | Investigation Stage | Date Investigation Commenced | Allegation Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bondo State Forest | Under investigation | June 2025 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Candole State Forest | Under investigation | March 2024 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Doubleduke State Forest | Under investigation | August 2023 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Flat Rock State Forest | Under investigation | November 2023 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Glenbog State Forest | Under investigation | June 2025 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Mistake State Forest | Under investigation | May 2024 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Styx River State Forest | Under investigation | July 2024 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities |
| Tallaganda State Forest | Under investigation | August 2023 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Wild Cattle Creek 32, 33, 34 | Prosecution commenced | July 2020 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
| Yambulla State Forest | Under investigation | March 2025 | Alleged breaches of the CIFOA |
Completed investigations
| Investigation Title | Date Investigation Commenced | Allegation Category | Outcome | Date Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bago 47A | October 2020 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | Advisory letter written. | 16 November 2020 |
| Bago State Forest | December 2022 | Fail to map track lines | Official Caution | April 2025 |
| 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 |
| Benandarah State Forest | March 2023 | Alleged breaches of CIFOA | No action taken | March 2024 |
| Boambee State Forest | July 2023 | Riparian protection | Official Caution | September 2024 |
| 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 |
| Bulga State Forest | October 2023 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | Discontinued | February 2024 |
| Clouds Creek State Forest | March 2023 | Alleged breaches of CIFOA | Discontinued | January 2024 |
| Conglomerate State Forest | September 2023 | Planning assessments and surveys, Retained trees | Formal warning, Official Caution and 2x Penalty Notices | February 2025 |
| Conglomerate State Forest | May 2020 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | Official caution, advice and advisory letters issued | 17 January 2023 |
| Coopernook State Forest | December 2021 | Alleged damage to environmentally significant area | Enforceable Undertaking | 8 November 2023 |
| Currowan 502A | January 2022 | Alleged breach of tree retention requirements | Advisory letter issued | 13 July 2023 |
| 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 |
| East Boyd Timbillica State Forest | August 2022 | Alleged breach of road and track crossing conditions | Advisory letter issued | 11 November |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Mogo 174A | April 2020 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | FCNSW convicted of 1 charge and order to pay a fine of $20,000 and the EPA’s legal costs of $84,340 | 21 December 2023 |
| 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 |
| Moonpar State Forest | November 2023 | Planning assessments and survey | Penalty notice and Official Caution | December 2024 |
| Nadgee State Forest | November 2022 | Rocky outcrop protection | Discontinued | November 2024 |
| Nadgee State Forest | Tree protection clump | Penalty notice | February 2024 | |
| 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 |
| Orara East | June 2023 | Riparian protection | Advisory letter | October 2024 |
| Orara East 565 566 | November 2018 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | Two penalty notices issued | 7 January 2020 |
| Orara West State Forest | June 2023 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities
| Advisory Letter issued | 19 July 2024 |
| Shallow Crossing 211A | January 2023 | Incursions into threatened species exclusion zone | Penalty notice issued | 7 August 2023 |
| South Brooman 58A – Part 2 | 6 October 2020 | Alleged felling of 1 hollow bearing trees after re-commencement of harvest operations (post SWO) | Penalty notice issued to FCNSW | 23 June 2022 |
| 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 |
| Styx River | August 2023 | Species specific conditions - fauna | Penalty Notice | May 2025 |
| Styx River State Forest | 29 October 2020 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | Formal warning issued. | 20 January 2021 |
| Tantawangalo | 29/01/2019 | Contravene requirement of integrated forestry operations approval | Penalty Notice | 21 April 2020 |
| Tantawangalo | 29/01/2019 | Contravene requirement of integrated forestry operations approval | Penalty Notice | 21 April 2020 |
| Tomerong State Forest 1199 | October 2019 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | Discontinued | 5 December 2022 |
| Wedding Bells State Forest | December 2022 | Retained trees | Warning letter | May 2023 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Yambulla State Forest 299A | October 2020 | Alleged damage to habitat of threatened species and/or ecological communities | FCNSW convicted of two charges and ordered to pay a fine of $360,000 | 31 July 2024 |
| 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 |