Forestry Corporation of NSW Under Scrutiny: EPA’s Compliance Update Highlights Issues in Native Forestry
The operations of the state-owned Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) have come under the microscope, with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) releasing data that reveals ongoing compliance challenges since the devastating Black Summer bushfires.
The EPA, tasked with regulating native forestry operations on public and private land, has documented numerous breaches and taken significant regulatory actions to address unsustainable logging practices.
Regulatory Framework and Compliance Efforts
Native forestry operations on public land in NSW are governed by Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (IFOAs), which set the standards for sustainable logging. The EPA ensures compliance through inspections, audits, and investigations, supported by education and training initiatives.
Between July and September 2024, the EPA conducted 20 inspections of FCNSW operations in regions covered by IFOAs, including coastal and western forests. These inspections form part of the EPA’s broader strategy to protect the environment while holding forestry operations accountable for their impact.
Forestry Corporation: A Snapshot of Violations
The EPA’s report reveals a troubling pattern of non-compliance by FCNSW over the past five years, with varying levels of enforcement actions taken:
- Advisory Letters: These were issued consistently, with four letters in Q1 of 2024–25, reflecting continued breaches requiring corrective action.
- Show Cause Letters: While 2020–21 saw eight such letters, the number dropped to one in Q1 2024–25, suggesting either improved compliance or a shift in enforcement focus.
- Penalty Notices: Penalties peaked in 2020–21 with five notices but dwindled to zero in the most recent quarter.
- Stop Work Orders: Issued three times in 2023–24, these orders highlight serious breaches warranting immediate cessation of activities.
- Prosecutions: The EPA has completed one prosecution in Q1 2024–25, with the previous year also recording a single case. Notably, the 2021–22 financial year saw a spike with seven convictions.
Forestry Corporation argues that selective harvesting in regrowth forests is conducted under stringent regulations, including enhanced koala tree protections. The corporation points to its increased compliance investments, which now exceed $2 million annually, to address past violations of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval.
This table from the NSW Environment Protection Authority shows the number of actions taken since the Black Summer fires. It does not include potential breeches that were dismissed as trivial by the EPA and did not proceed to compliance action. FCNSW have been fined well over $1 million since Black Summer.
Number of compliance actions issued
| Compliance action type | 2020‑21 | 2021‑22 | 2022‑23 | 2023‑24 | 2024-25 (Q1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advisory Letters | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Directions (Voluntary) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Show Cause Letters | 8 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| Formal Warnings | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Official Cautions | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Clean up Notices | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stop Work Orders | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Penalty Notices | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Prosecutions completed | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
“Forestry Corporation regrets any past instances where it did not meet all the conditions of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval. In each instance of non-compliance, Forestry Corporation conducted thorough reviews and implemented measures to prevent recurrence. Annual investment in compliance has increased by more than $2 million,” their spokesman said.
A History of Controversy
The fallout from the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires continues to cast a shadow over FCNSW’s operations. Logging activities were largely suspended from November 2019 to February 2020, but subsequent resumption revealed ongoing compliance issues. The EPA’s transition to more transparent reporting in July 2021 has made it clear that FCNSW has struggled to meet regulatory standards consistently.
Environmental Impact and Public Accountability
FCNSW’s logging operations have been criticized for their impact on endangered species and fragile ecosystems. The Greater Glider and koalas, both emblematic of Australia’s biodiversity, face mounting threats from habitat destruction linked to unsustainable forestry practices. The EPA’s enforcement actions, while necessary, raise questions about whether the current regulatory framework is sufficient to ensure long-term sustainability.
Moving Forward
The EPA’s quarterly updates provide greater transparency and accountability for forestry operations. However, the data underscores the need for stronger measures to protect NSW’s native forests. Advocates argue for transitioning forestry practices towards plantation timber and away from state forests, a move that could mitigate the environmental damage while supporting the industry’s economic viability.
As public scrutiny intensifies, FCNSW faces a critical juncture. Balancing economic interests with environmental stewardship is no longer optional but imperative for the corporation’s future. The EPA’s findings should serve as both a warning and an opportunity for systemic reform in NSW’s forestry practices.
Stop Work Orders
If any action is being taken or is about to be carried out that may violate forestry legislation, the EPA has the authority to issue a Stop Work Order, halting operations for up to 40 days. Currently, no Stop Work Orders (SWOs) are in effect.
Tallaganda State Forest
The EPA is conducting an investigation into Forestry Corporation of NSW’s (FCNSW) operations in Tallaganda State Forest, following a community complaint. More information about those investigations and others is available.
The previous written Stop Work Orders are available:
- 30 August 2023: Stop Work Order Tallaganda State Forest (pdf)
- 6 September 2023: Final amended Stop Work Order Tallaganda State Forest (pdf)
- 4 October 2023: Further Stop Work Order Tallaganda State Forest (pdf)
- 10 November 2023: Second Further Stop Work Order Tallaganda State Forest (pdf)
- 20 December 2023: Third Further Stop Work Order Tallaganda State Forest (pdf)
More information is available in EPA’s media statements:
- 30 August 2023: EPA issues Stop Work Order on forestry operations in Tallaganda State Forest
- 6 October 2023: EPA extends Stop Work Order in Tallaganda State Forest
- 20 December 2023: Stop Work Order extended in Tallaganda State Forest
Flat Rock State Forest
The EPA is conducting an investigation into Forestry Corporation of NSW’s (FCNSW) operations in Flat Rock State Forest, following a community complaint. More information about those investigations and others is available.
The previous written Stop Work Orders are available:
- 17 November 2023: Stop Work Order Flat Rock State Forest (pdf)
- 29 November 2023: Amended Stop Work Order Flat Rock State Forest (pdf)
- 21 December 2023: Stop Work Order Flat Rock State Forest (pdf)
More information is available in our media statement:
- 14 November 2023: Stop Work Order issued for forestry operations in Flat Rock State Forest
- 22 December 2023: Stop Work Order Extended in Flat Rock State Forest
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