The NSW Government’s decision to appoint an expert panel to consult on the future of the NSW forests and forestry industry to inform its Forestry Industry Action Plan is a welcomed step.
Monday morning’s announcement from the state government is major boost towards reaching a mutually beneficial outcome for regions, industry and the environment. The panel will be chaired by Peter Duncan AM, Mary O’Kane AC and the Hon. Mick Veitch.
“The future for NSW’s timber industry is in plantations. Almost 90 per-cent of jobs are in the plantation timber industry or manufacturing and it’s crucial for the state government to support those jobs and the procurement of high-value timber for the construction industry,” ACBF executive director Lyndon Schneiders said. “We need a new and durable solution to the management of the state’s forests.”
Native Forests remain one of Australia’s most valuable assets in combating the impacts of climate change. Our forests operate as significant carbon sinks, drawing down carbon at scale and have the capacity to also support regions with employment in forest management, through the adoption of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).
“There are no greater tools for NSW in its fight to reduce emissions than native forests,” Schneiders said. “They store carbon at mass and, through revenue derived from credits, will become more fire resilient through effective management that generates both employment and healthier biodiversity outcomes.”
