THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST NSW NORTH COAST. A Study Undertaken for: Northern Rivers Private Forestry

Transcription

1 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST & PLANTATION RESOURCE NSW NORTH COAST A Study Undertaken for: Northern Rivers Private Forestry Prepared by: Northern New South Wales Forestry Services December 2002

2 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST A Northern Rivers Private Forestry initiative supported by Invest Northern Rivers, NSW Department of State and Regional Development and Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Australia Prepared by: Northern NSW Forestry Services P.O. Box 245 CASINO NSW 2470 Copyright Northern Rivers Private Forestry 2002 This work is copyright. Material in this Report may be reproduced in whole or in part, providing the meaning is unchanged and the source is acknowledged. Disclaimer: The contents of this document, including area and resource estimates, are based on the best available information at the time of preparation. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of printing, Northern Rivers Private Forestry, its agents and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this document.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Executive Summary 1 1. Introduction The 1994 North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study The Private Native Forest and Plantation Resource of the NSW 3 2. The 2002 Study Area 4 3. The Existing Private Hardwood Resource Historical Aspects Hardwood Timber Yields from Private Forests Management Practices Applications for Young Regrowth and Plantation Hardwoods 7 4. Methodology for Updating the 1994 Study Broad Forest Types Basic Site Quality Criteria The Private Native Forest Area Gross Area Productive Forest Area Net Productive Forest Area Potential Hardwood Yields Growth Rates Estimated Total Potential Annual Yields Estimated Potential Pulpwood Yields Estimated Potential Yields of Sawlogs, Veneer, Poles, Piles, 17 Girders and Salvage Logs Proportion of Log Types other than Pulpwood The Hardwood Plantation Resource State Forests of NSW Pre-1994 Plantations Post-1994 Plantations (including Joint Ventures) The Private Plantation Resource Legislation and Regulation of Private Forestry The Native Vegetation Conservation Act (1997) Regional Vegetation Management Plans Private Native Forestry Exemption Clearing Outside RVMP Areas 23 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December 2002

4 Page The Development of Guidelines for Private Native Forest 24 Management Further Information about the NVC Act The Plantations and Reafforestation Act (1999) Further Information about the Plantations and Reafforestation Act and Code 24 Acknowledgments 26 Bibliography 26 Appendices Appendix 1 Executive Summary North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study, 1994 Appendix 2 Maps 2 to13 - Local Government Areas Showing Forest Cover and Plantations Appendix 3 Record of Field Checking and Previous Consultancies used to Validate Broad Forest Types Appendix 4 Photographs illustrating some examples of Broad Forest Types and Hardwood Plantations Appendix 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Forest Areas by Map Sheet, LGA, Broad Forest Types (1994 classification) and Site Quality Classes Appendix 6 Estimated Potential Yields by LGA, Broad Forest Types (1994 classification) and Site Quality Classes Appendix 7 Photographs illustrating Value Adding of Young Regrowth and Plantation Hardwoods THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December 2002

5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 1994 Northern NSW Forestry Services (Norfor) undertook a study of the north coast private native forest and plantation resource for the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board. In May 2002 Northern Rivers Private Forestry, under the auspices of Invest Northern Rivers, commissioned Norfor to review and update the 1994 study. This report presents the results of that review. Private native forest areas, broad forest types and yield data from the original study have been updated and the size, age classes and species composition of both the public and private hardwood plantation resource has been documented. The latest regulations and codes of practice for private native forests and plantations have been reviewed and a summary provided. The area covered in this update is slightly smaller than the 1994 study and in particular excises those areas in the lower New England region that have been covered in a similar study undertaken for the New England-North West Regional Development Board. This report focuses on the Local Government Areas from Tweed in the north to Bellingen in the south and includes Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Coffs Harbour City, Copmanhurst, Dumaresq, Grafton City, Guyra, Kyogle, Lismore Municipal, Maclean, Pristine Waters, Richmond Valley, Severn, Tenterfield and Tweed LGAs. Within these LGAs it is estimated that private native forests cover a gross area of approximately 631,000 hectares. The net productive forest area, or area over which sustainable forest management practices, including harvesting might be carried out is estimated at approximately 363,000 hectares. The total potential annual hardwood yield from these forests is estimated at about 825,000 cubic metres, of which about 465,000 cubic metres is pulpwood grade logs. Historically pulpwood production from private property has been minimal. Whilst the Regional Forest Agreement for north eastern NSW allows pulpwood production from private forest, distance from ports limits the economic viability of pulpwood operations. The total potential annual yield of sawlogs, thinning logs, veneer logs, salvage logs and poles, piles and girders available to existing industry within the region is estimated at about 360,000 cubic metres. The total hardwood plantation estate in the study region is about 34,000 hectares. Of this, about 30,800 hectares is under State Forest Management, comprising 11,400 hectares either established on State Forest or purchased and converted to State Forest prior to 1994 and 19,400 hectares established on land purchased by State Forests or established by State Forests on private land under joint venture or annuity arrangements. The balance of the hardwood plantation area (about 3,200 hectares) has been established in the last few years by private plantation companies. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

6 1. Introduction 1.1 The 1994 North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study In 1994 the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board (NRRDB) commissioned a study of the north coast private native forest and plantation resource. The brief for the study was as follows: a) To determine an estimate of the volume and potential yield of the existing commercial hardwood resource on private property, principally within a 100 kilometre radius of Grafton, and on a broader scale within a 250 kilometre radius. b) To determine an estimate of the potential area available for the establishment of hardwood plantations within the two zones, including an assessment of the viability and profitability of growing plantations, the potential yields and likely stumpages. c) To determine an estimate of the volume of sawmill residues that might be available above and beyond the volume already committed to established end users. d) To identify constraints or impediments to private forestry that may in the future limit productivity from existing native forests or impede the establishment and management of plantations, including thinning and clear falling operations. The study estimated that there was a net productive private forest area (or area over which forest harvesting practices might occur) of approximately 465,000 hectares within a 250 kilometre radius of Grafton. The total potential annual hardwood yield for private forests was estimated at 1,064,000 cubic metres. About 55% of this was in pulp grade logs and the remainder was sawlogs, veneer logs, salvage logs and poles, piles and girders. The study broadly mapped the area of private land that, on the basis of climate and soils, would potentially be the most suitable for hardwood plantations. At the time of the study, State Forests of New South Wales, through their Joint Venture Hardwood Plantation Program, were negotiating the establishment of approximately 1,800 hectares of hardwood plantations. As a result of surveys undertaken during the study, private landowners expressed interest in the establishment of approximately 3,800 hectares of private plantations. The study determined that there were 271 licensed sawmills in the study area. In 1994 only a small percentage of these sawmills had wood chipping facilities and approximately 90,000 tonnes of sawmill residues from private property log sources was not committed to markets. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

7 The 1994 study also concluded that some of the regulatory and legislative controls on private forestry were having a negative impact on the ability of private forest owners to effectively manage their forests. The Executive Summary from the 1994 report is attached as Appendix The Private Native Forest and Plantation Resource of the NSW North Coast in 2002 In May 2002 Northern Rivers Private Forestry, under the auspices of Invest Northern Rivers, commissioned Northern NSW Forestry Services to update the 1994 study, specifically those sections that dealt with the private native forest areas and yields and the area of hardwood plantation. The update covers a reduced area in comparison to the 1994 study (see below). The brief for the 2002 update was as follows: 1. Review the 1994 report to determine what information and data would need to be re-evaluated for the following Local Government Areas (LGAs): Ballina Shire Kyogle Shire Bellingen Shire Lismore Municipal Council Byron Shire Maclean Shire Coffs Harbour City Council Pristine Waters Shire Copmanhurst Shire Richmond Valley Shire Dumaresq Shire Severn Shire Grafton City Council Tenterfield Shire Guyra Shire Tweed Shire 2. Review the forest area, forest type and yield data from the 1994 study, identify where any significant changes have occurred and provide updated data on an LGA basis as above. 3. As necessary, consult with State Forests of NSW North East Region to refine area estimates based on their GIS data sets and possibly identify the broad location and extent of private native forests that have been mapped in the CRA process as having high conservation significance (eg HCVOG). 4. As necessary, consult with the Department of Land and Water Conservation in relation to any changes to the private forest areas, recent logging histories and latest information on potential impacts of the Native Vegetation Conservation Act and the relevant Regional Vegetation Management Plans (RVMPs). THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

8 5. Consult with State Forests of NSW Future Forests Division and plantation companies in relation to the location, size and age classes of the private and joint venture hardwood plantation resource. In addition, obtain estimates of the likely area of new plantation establishment over the next 2 to 5 years. 6. Contract State Forests of NSW to provide GIS mapping relevant to the project. 7. Review the latest regulations and codes of practice for private native forests and plantations, including the RVMP process and provide a brief summary in the report. Note that some of the text from the 1994 report has been incorporated into this update where it is relevant to the context in which this report has been written. 2. The 2002 Study Area As a result of the CRA process and the signing of RFA s, the State Forest areas in northern NSW were divided into six (6) Timber Catchments. This updated report covers private forests and plantations in Timber Catchment 1, most of Catchment 2 (except Uralla Shire), Bellingen Shire in Catchment 3 and Dumaresq Shire in Catchment 6. Catchment 1 comprises Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed Shires, Lismore City Council, most of Tenterfield Shire and parts of Severn, Maclean and Copmanhurst Shires. Catchment 2 comprises Guyra and Pristine Waters Shires, Grafton and Coffs Harbour City Councils, most of Severn Shire and parts of Tenterfield, Copmanhurst and Maclean Shires. Map 1 shows the area covered by this updated report. Individual LGAs, showing forest cover (Crown and private), are illustrated in Maps 2 to 13 in Appendix The Existing Private Hardwood Resource 3.1 Historical Aspects Historically, private property has been a major source of timber to the north coast forest industry since the second part of the 19th century. For many years about one third of the annual input to industry has been supplied from private property. Many of the larger sawmills and processing plants in northern NSW obtain some proportion of their log supply from private property and for the Crown sawmills this supply supplements their allocation from State Forests of NSW. Most of the smaller bush sawmills rely totally on the private forest resource. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

9 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

10 There has been a decline in sawmilling activity on the New England Tablelands since the mid 1990 s, with the closure of large mills at Tenterfield, Glen Innes and Drake. Smaller bush sawmills are now the main processors of private resource on the tablelands, although some resource from the northern area (Tenterfield) and eastern area (around Walcha) is still sold to sawmills on the coast. The other notable change to the way the private resource is being utilised in northern NSW is the increasing interest from State Forests of NSW in either land purchase or the acquisition of management rights over private forests. Private forests acquired in this way are being used to supplement supplies from State Forest and satisfy contractual arrangements State Forests has with its Crown customers. 3.2 Hardwood Timber Yields from Private Forests The private hardwood forests of northern NSW yield the same wide range of products as Crown forests. As stated above, many of the larger sawmills and processing plants rely on private forests to supplement their log supply from State Forests. Whilst most of the smaller sawmills purchase mainly sawlogs and salvage logs, the larger mills and processing plants are increasingly relying on private forests for high quality sawlogs, poles, girders and veneer logs. Products sourced from private forests include: Sawlogs, generally with a minimum centre diameter under bark (cdub) of 30 centimetres. Maximum internal and external defects are normally specified. Sawlogs produce a wide range of sawn timber products, including heavy construction and general building timbers and flooring. Salvage sawlogs are logs that do not meet the quality specifications for large and small sawlogs but have recoverable timber in them. They are in demand for the production of lower grade timber such as pallets and palings, although the better quality salvage logs do produce building grade timber and other products. Veneer or Peeler Logs are high quality logs that meet strict species, defect and size specifications for veneer or ply manufacture. Poles, Piles and Girders are logs that meet the strength, durability, species and defect specifications for electricity and communications transmission in the case of poles, driven wharf and bridge timber in the case of piles, and round and hewn wharf, culvert and bridge timber in the case of girders. Pulpwood refers to logs that do not meet the specifications of any of the above categories, although there would generally be minimum diameter requirements and some species may not be acceptable. Although the term implies paper production, it also refers to logs suitable for the manufacture of reconstituted wood products such as medium density fibreboard. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

11 A major consideration is often the amount of useable fibre, and other things being equal young thinnings type timber is sought after because of its relatively high fibre yield. Pulpwood has never been produced in any quantity from private property within the study area, originally because of the regulatory controls on exports of woodchip sourced from private property and the limited markets. More recently the Regional Forest Agreement for north eastern NSW allows pulpwood production from private forest, however distance from ports limits the economic viability of pulpwood operations. Data is no longer kept by State Forests of NSW on the annual volume of logs produced from private forests. Data from the 1994 study concluded that an annual volume of approximately 170,000m 3 was yielded from private forests within Timber Catchments 1 and 2 and Bellingen Shire. Based on the authors experience with private forestry in northern NSW, approximately 110,000 to 130,000m 3 per annum is produced from private forests in the Clarence and Richmond River catchments. Adding Tenterfield, Guyra, Severn, Coffs Harbour and Bellingen LGA s to this area, it is reasonable to speculate that the current annual yield from private forests in Timber Catchments 1 and 2 and Bellingen Shire is at least 160,000m Management Practices Historically native forest management practices on most private land in the study area have been demand driven, largely reflecting the value of timber as supplementary income for landowners who are primarily graziers. However some landowners (including sawmillers) have properties that are maintained solely for timber production (in the case of sawmillers to supplement supplies obtained from other sources). On partly timbered properties where grazing is the main activity, the usual forest management practice has been to sell timber when the demand arises, either as a result of industry interest in the resource or as an owner driven decision to realise additional income. Nearly all of the private forest areas in northern NSW have a long logging history. By and large there has been a pattern of initial exploitation of the resource many years ago followed by a number of subsequent selective loggings, with the result that many of the current stands are dominated by young to semi-mature regrowth timber. There is also a fairly consistent pattern of late winter and spring burning to control undergrowth and promote native pasture for cattle grazing. The end result of this management history is that the private timber resource is often characterised by younger, more open stands than those commonly seen on State Forest. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

12 As a result of age and stand structure individual stems are probably growing faster on many private properties than is the average on State Forests. However because of such factors as the retention of higher numbers of unmerchantable stems, low stocking rates, site factors and the limited protection provided, volume production would be lower than might be expected. 3.4 Applications for Young Regrowth and Plantation Hardwoods Changes in Government forest policy in recent years have seen a move towards the utilisation of smaller, faster growing trees from our regrowth forests and plantations. To meet the challenge of a changing resource, the native timber industry has restructured to accommodate smaller log sizes, with a significant increase in investment in value adding technology. High value products such as flooring, panelling and furniture components are now being produced from this younger resource. Some examples of products resulting from this technology are illustrated in Appendix Methodology for Updating the 1994 Study Timber Catchments 1 and 2 and Bellingen Shire are covered by a total of 135 topographic maps at a scale of 1:25,000. These same maps were used for part of the 1994 study, where the boundaries of all private property were delineated. In addition, data on private forest areas derived from these maps was retained from the 1994 study. The area spreadsheets set out private forest areas in the following categories: The gross forest area. The productive forest area, representing the private forest area after easily identifiable non-harvestable areas were deducted, but inclusive of constraints that may be applicable to the harvesting of that timber. The net productive forest area, representing the area over which harvesting might occur after accounting for further non-harvestable areas that were not easily delineated and deducted from the productive area. In updating the private forest areas from the 1994 study, each of the 1:25,000 maps was reviewed. The review process included: Delineating the boundaries of the 16 LGA s on the applicable maps. Determining the area of private forest within each LGA and excising those areas from the 1994 study that were outside the LGA boundaries. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

13 Consultation with State Forests of NSW in regards to private land purchases since 1994 and a review of the post CRA maps to determine what private land had been purchased for National Park. Reassessing factors contributing to reductions from gross to net productive area, including slope. Field checking was undertaken at random to verify broad forest types and site quality. Appendix 3 lists the 1:25,000 topographic maps where field checking was undertaken (note that this does not imply that the whole of the map was field checked). Previous consultancies undertaken by the authors on private property (mainly inventories) were also reviewed. Appendix 3 lists the 1:25,000 topographic maps where consultancies undertaken since 1989 were used to verify broad forest types. 4.1 Broad Forest Types Eleven (11) broad forest types were used in the 1994 study, as follows: Spotted Gum - a type dominated by Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata), at times in almost pure stands but generally with a number of other eucalypts as associates. Spotted Gum/Blackbutt - a type usually dominated by Spotted Gum with Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) the more common of the associated species. Spotted Gum/Ironbark - A Spotted Gum type with Ironbarks (various species, including E. paniculata and E. siderophloia) being conspicuous amongst the associated species. Spotted Gum/Mixed Hardwoods - this type encompasses a range of mainly dry sclerophyll forest where Spotted Gum is common, the occurrence of other species dependent on soil type, location and aspect. Blackbutt - a type dominated by Blackbutt, at times in almost pure stands but generally with a number of other species as associates. Blackbutt/Bloodwood- a lower quality Blackbutt type with Bloodwood (usually E. gummifera) the other main species, often confined to drier, poorer quality forest. Blackbutt/Spotted Gum - a type dominated by Blackbutt with Spotted Gum the more common of the associated species. Blackbutt/Mixed Hardwoods - a mixed species type that can occur as dry or moist forest, with Blackbutt a common element. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

14 New England Hardwoods - mixed species forests of the higher altitudes and tablelands. Found as both dry and moist types, with New England Blackbutt (E. campanulata) often the common species along with a range of associated high altitude species (Tallowwood - E. microcorys and Sydney Blue Gum - E. saligna however are two species common to the coastal forests that are also found in these forest types). Moist Mixed Hardwoods - typical moist mixed forests of the coastal and hinterland areas, generally on the more sheltered aspects. Indicator species include Sydney Blue Gum, Tallowwood, Flooded Gum (E. grandis) and Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus). Dry Mixed Hardwoods - the typical coastal dry hardwood forests of the shallower soil types, ridgetops and exposed less favourable sites. Indicator species can include Ironbarks, Bloodwoods, Grey Gum (E. propinqua) and Grey Box (E. mollucana). For the text of this report, the 1994 forest types have been simplified further into five easily recognisable forest associations (note that the area and yield data in Appendices 5 and 6 is set out according to the 1994 forest types): Forest dominated by Spotted Gum Spotted Gum is the dominant species (generally comprising at least 50% of the species mix). This includes the 1994 broad forest types of Spotted Gum, Spotted Gum/Blackbutt, Spotted Gum/Ironbark and Spotted Gum/Mixed Hardwoods. Forest dominated by Blackbutt Blackbutt is the dominant species (again generally comprising at least 50% of the species mix). This includes the 1994 broad forest types of Blackbutt, Blackbutt/Bloodwood, Blackbutt/Spotted Gum and Blackbutt/Mixed Hardwoods. Moist Mixed Hardwoods As for the 1994 study, moist mixed forests of the coastal and hinterland areas with indicator species including Sydney Blue Gum, Tallowwood, Flooded Gum and Brush Box. Dry Mixed Hardwoods As for the 1994 study, coastal dry hardwood forests with indicator species including Ironbarks, Bloodwoods, Grey Gum and Grey Box. New England Hardwoods As for the 1994 study, mixed species forests of the higher altitudes and tablelands. New England Blackbutt is a common species, along with a range of associated high altitude species including Stringybarks (E. obliqua, E. laevopinea, E. cameronii), Manna Gum (E. viminalis) and Brown Barrel (E. fastigata). Sydney Blue Gum and Tallowwood are two typically coastal species that are also found in some New England stands. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

15 Appendix 4 is a series of photographs showing examples of the broad forest types. 4.2 Basic Site Quality Criteria The broad site quality criteria used in the 1994 Study were retained for this update. They are as follows: High Site Quality - forests on the better soils, higher rainfall, more sheltered locations. Included are the better quality moist mixed types, and the best examples of the Blackbutt, Spotted Gum and New England stands. Medium Site Quality - the typical average Blackbutt, Spotted Gum and New England hardwood stands and the poorer quality moist hardwood stands. In places these are also high site quality forest types that have been degraded by management practices. Low Site Quality - forests on heavier soil areas, poorer exposed or steep country or near the western limits of commercial growth. Because of soils, climate, topography or aspect these forests are slow growing and often the species mix is dominated by species of little or no commercial value. In some cases they are the drier forest types that have been degraded by management practices. 5. The Private Native Forest Area Gross, productive and net productive areas have been estimated for the private native forests with Timber Catchments 1 and 2 and Bellingen Sire. 5.1 Gross Area Using a map showing LGA boundaries overlain on a 1:25000 topographic map template, the 135 topographic maps from the 1994 study were reviewed to remove areas outside of Timber Catchments 1 and 2 and Bellingen Shire. Gross private forest areas were recalculated as necessary. Private properties that were known to have changed to Crown tenure since 1994 (through acquisition by State Forests of NSW or National Parks and Wildlife Service) were removed from the gross forest area. It is estimated that private forests cover a gross area of approximately 631,000 hectares. Table 5.1 sets out the gross area by LGA and broad forest type. It is further broken down by topographic map, 1994 forest types and site quality classes in Appendix 5. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

16 Table 5.1 Estimated Gross Private Native Forest Area by Local Government Area and Broad Forest Type Spotted Gum Dominated Blackbutt Dominated Local Government Area Ballina Bellingen 8,720 15,310 24,030 Byron 1,360 1,360 Coffs Harbour 580 4,140 7, ,720 Copmanhurst 77,890 17,805 14, ,012 Dumaresq 450 2,690 3,140 Grafton Guyra 20,408 20,408 Kyogle 14,165 20,798 2,530 37,493 Lismore 730 2,499 3,229 Maclean 13,480 6,870 20,350 Pristine Waters 112,305 49,320 18,300 10,880 4, ,405 Richmond Valley 32,834 8, ,899 Severn ,574 44,534 Tenterfield 13, ,230 47,233 34, ,243 Tweed 4,060 4,730 8,790 Total 265, ,140 80,667 76, , , Productive Forest Area Broad Forest Type Using the same 135 topographic maps, productive forest areas were determined by deducting from the gross areas obvious cleared and semi-cleared areas, swamps and wetlands, large areas of rocky or steep terrain and other known areas of non-commercial timber such as unproductive open woodland. In determining the minimum size of a productive timbered area, the size of the actual study area, the number and scale of topographic maps involved, and the complexity involved in measuring and mapping very small areas of forest had to be taken into account. For that reason there would be small individual areas of productive forest within the study area, of up to 50 or more hectares in size, that were not included in calculations. Similarly, despite the intensity of the survey and the many checks made, the classification of some areas as productive may be incorrect. However it could be reasonably expected that these two factors would balance out over such a large area. Moist Mixed Hardwoods Dry Mixed Hardwoods New England Hardwoods Total THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

17 The productive forest area is estimated at approximately 517,000 hectares. Table 5.2 sets out the productive area by LGA and broad forest type. It is further broken down by topographic map, 1994 forest types and site quality classes in Appendix 5. Table 5.2 Estimated Productive Private Native Forest Area by Local Government Area and Broad Forest Type Spotted Gum Dominated Blackbutt Dominated Local Government Area Ballina Nil Bellingen 7,790 8,335 16,125 Byron 1,300 1,300 Coffs Harbour 560 3,090 5, ,800 Copmanhurst 62,576 16,920 10,457 89,953 Dumaresq 400 2,140 2,540 Grafton Guyra 16,653 16,653 Kyogle 10,185 18,717 2,320 31,222 Lismore 710 2,157 2,867 Maclean 12,645 6,760 19,405 Pristine Waters 88,815 41,630 13,690 5,530 4, ,675 Richmond Valley 30,974 6, ,304 Severn ,358 37,798 Tenterfield 10, ,360 39,703 28,165 88,853 Tweed 3,820 4,510 8,330 Total 217,400 89,380 62,719 59,300 88, , Net Productive Forest Area Broad Forest Type As with the 1994 study, the productive forest area estimates were reduced to a net area in order to calculate yields. Area reductions accounted for features not readily identified in the process of reducing gross area to productive area, such as: - small, scattered non-commercial or unproductive forest types; - small, scattered wetlands, swamps, cleared or semi-cleared areas; - additional areas identified as inaccessible, rocky or too steep; - reserved areas and rainforest stands; and - watercourse exclusion zones, such as filter strips and wildlife corridors. Moist Mixed Hardwoods Dry Mixed Hardwoods New England Hardwoods Total THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

18 When these factors are considered, the largest area reductions are made for the low site quality areas. For example, the poorest New England forest types and the poorer dry coastal types (particularly in relation to the larger areas of non-commercial and nonproductive forest types). Conversely the higher quality forests require less of an area reduction. Based on the 1994 study, the range of area reductions applied to the productive forest areas was as follows: % Reduction Forest Type/Site Quality (SQ) 40% Low SQ NE mix 35% Low SQ SG mix, SG/IBK, BBT/BLW, Dry mix 30% Low SQ Moist mix, BBt, BBt mix, SG, SG/BBt, BBt/SG, Medium SQ Dry mix, SG/Ibk, SG mix, BBt/BLW, NE mix 25% Medium SQ SG, SG/BBt, BBt mix, Moist mix, High SQ BBt/BLW, NE mix 20% Medium SQ BBt, BBt/SG, High SQ Dry mix, SG, SG/Ibk, SG/BBt, SG mix, BBt mix 15% High SQ BBt, BBt/SG, Moist mix The net productive forest area is estimated at approximately 363,000 hectares. Table 5.3 sets out the net productive area by LGA and broad forest type. It is further broken down by topographic map, 1994 forest types and site quality classes in Appendix Potential Hardwood Yields 6.1 Growth Rates Predicted growth rates (mean annual increment) adopted for the 1994 study were again used in this update. They include thinnings and residue pulpwood and are as follows: Predicted Growth Rate Forest Type/Site Quality (SQ) 1 m 3 /ha/year Low SQ NE mix, Dry mix, BBt/BLW 1.7 m 3 /ha/year Low SQ SG, SG/Ibk, SG/BBt, SG mix, BBt/SG 2.4 m 3 /ha/year Low SQ Moist mix, BBt, BBt mix, Medium SQ SG, SG/Ibk, SG mix, BBt/BLW, NE mix, Dry mix 3.1 m 3 /ha/year Medium SQ SG/BBt, BBt/SG, BBt mix, Moist mix, High SQ BBt/BLW, Dry mix 3.8 m 3 /ha/year Medium SQ BBt, High SQ SG, SG/Ibk, SG/BBt, SG mix, BBt mix, NE mix 4.5 m 3 /ha/year High SQ BBt, BBt/SG, Moist mix THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

19 Table 5.3 Estimated Net Productive Private Native Forest Area by Local Government Area and Broad Forest Type Spotted Gum Dominated 6.2 Estimated Total Potential Annual Yields Blackbutt Dominated Broad Forest Type Local Government Area Ballina Bellingen 6,412 6,659 13,071 Byron 1,047 1,047 Coffs Harbour 392 2,578 4, ,916 Copmanhurst 43,758 12,121 6,943 62,822 Dumaresq 340 1,595 1,935 Grafton Guyra 10,133 10,133 Kyogle 7,592 14,126 1,624 23,342 Lismore 533 1,645 2,178 Maclean 8,997 5,056 14,053 Pristine Waters 62,158 29,339 10,563 3,630 2, ,546 Richmond Valley 22,554 4, ,751 Severn ,062 24,348 Tenterfield 7, ,019 26,984 17,906 59,497 Tweed 2,871 3,490 6,361 Total 153,035 65,186 48,368 40,069 56, ,210 Estimated total potential annual yields have been determined by applying the growth rates in section 6.1 to the net productive areas derived in section 5.3. They are set out by Local Government Area, broad forest type and site quality in Table 6.1. They are further broken down by 1994 forest types and site quality classes in Appendix 6. The estimated potential annual yields can be divided into two forest product categories: (a) pulpwood, including thinnings and forest residues (heads, butts and reject logs) and suitable for the manufacturing of a range of products; and (b) sawlogs (large and small), veneer logs, poles, piles and girders and salvage logs. Moist Mixed Hardwoods Dry Mixed Hardwoods New England Hardwoods Total THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

20 Table 6.1 Estimated Total Potential Annual Yields (cubic metres) by Local Government Area and Broad Forest Type Spotted Gum Dominated Potential Annual Yields (cubic metres) Blackbutt Dominated Local Government Area Ballina Bellingen 26,579 23,332 49,911 Byron 4,100 4,100 Coffs Harbour ,063 18,351 1,008 31,363 Copmanhurst 97,717 21,245 9, ,727 Dumaresq 1,530 5,865 7,395 Grafton Guyra 11,515 11,515 Kyogle 17,707 44,921 3,898 66,526 Lismore 1,652 5,420 7,072 Maclean 20,544 15,567 36,111 Pristine Waters 132,678 61,783 36,268 5,257 5, ,621 Richmond Valley 53,491 12, ,627 Severn ,086 40,536 Tenterfield 12, ,759 49,795 28, ,972 Tweed 8,973 12,092 21,065 Total 335, , ,673 70,573 91, ,898 Moist Mixed Hardwoods Dry Mixed Hardwoods New England Hardwoods Total Estimated Potential Pulpwood Yields In managing private hardwood forests on a cutting cycle basis, retaining the best formed trees and thinning to produce the range of log types described in section 3.2, pulpwood will be generated from thinnings and forest residues. The proportion of pulpwood to better quality products will vary with forest type and stand quality, and generally will be higher in the poorer quality stands. Pulpwood yield in poorer stands would be as high as 75%, whilst in the better stands it may be as low as 33%. Indicative proportions based on site quality and broad forest types are set out below: Pulpwood % Forest Type/Site Quality (SQ) 75% Low SQ NE mix, Dry mix, BBt/BLW 70% Low SQ SG, SG/Ibk, SG/BBt, SG mix, BBt/SG THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

21 60% Low SQ Moist mix, BBt, BBt mix, Medium SQ SG, SG/Ibk, SG mix, BBt/BLW, NE mix, Dry mix 50% Medium SQ SG/BBt, BBt/SG, BBt mix, Moist mix, High SQ BBt/BLW, Dry mix 40% Medium SQ BBt, High SQ SG, SG/Ibk, SG/BBt, SG mix, BBt mix, NE mix 33% High SQ BBt, BBt/SG, Moist mix Estimated potential annual pulpwood yields have been determined by applying these proportions to the yield estimates in section 6.2 and are set out in Table 6.2. They are further broken down by 1994 forest types and site quality classes in Appendix 6. Table 6.2 Estimated Potential Annual Pulpwood Yields (cubic metres) by Local Government Area and Broad Forest Type Spotted Gum Dominated Potential Annual Yields (cubic metres) Blackbutt Dominated Local Government Area Ballina Bellingen 9,631 10,197 19,829 Byron 1,584 1,584 Coffs Harbour 564 3,855 6, ,840 Copmanhurst 58,854 12,679 6,598 78,132 Dumaresq 505 2,413 2,918 Grafton Guyra 8,281 8,281 Kyogle 10,702 21,802 2,339 34,844 Lismore 826 2,535 3,361 Maclean 12,426 7,771 20,197 Pristine Waters 82,652 33,442 16,209 3,766 2, ,886 Richmond Valley 31,928 6, ,305 Severn ,944 26,261 Tenterfield 8, ,879 31,288 18,852 70,049 Tweed 4,447 5,350 9,797 Total 206,151 81,645 74,292 45,135 58, ,534 Moist Mixed Hardwoods Dry Mixed Hardwoods New England Hardwoods Total THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

22 6.2.2 Estimated Potential Yields of Sawlogs, Veneer, Poles, Piles, Girders and Salvage Logs The estimated potential annual yields of sawlogs, veneer logs, poles, piles and girders and salvage logs have been determined by deducting the estimated pulpwood yields in section from the total estimated yields in section 6.2. The estimated potential annual yields for these products are set out in Table 6.3. They are further broken down by 1994 forest types and site quality classes in Appendix 6. Table 6.3 Estimated Potential Annual Yields of Sawlogs, Veneer, Poles, Piles, Girders and Salvage Logs (cubic metres) by Local Government Area and Broad Forest Type Spotted Gum Dominated Potential Annual Yields (cubic metres) Blackbutt Dominated Local Government Area Ballina Bellingen 16,948 13,136 30,084 Byron 2,516 2,516 Coffs Harbour 376 7,208 11, ,523 Copmanhurst 38,863 8,565 3,167 50,595 Dumaresq 1,025 3,452 4,477 Grafton Guyra 3,234 3,234 Kyogle 7,006 23,119 1,559 31,684 Lismore 826 2,885 3,711 Maclean 8,118 7,796 15,914 Pristine Waters 50,026 28,340 20,059 1,491 2, ,734 Richmond Valley 21,563 5, ,322 Severn ,142 14,274 Tenterfield 3, ,879 18,507 9,666 42,921 Tweed 4,526 6,741 11,267 Total 129,819 82,414 89,380 25,438 33, ,363 Moist Mixed Hardwoods Dry Mixed Hardwoods New England Hardwoods Total THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

23 6.2.3 Proportions of Log Types other than Pulpwood Regrowth hardwood forests are capable of producing the full range of log types described in section 3.2 from cyclic thinnings as stands mature, diameters increase and gaps regenerate. The proportions of the various log types produced will depend on such factors as management techniques, forest type and site quality. Experience suggests that the possible proportions that might result from management aimed at say first thinning largely for pulpwood and optimising the production of higher grade products are as follows (they should be regarded as indicative only of possible yields.): Small Large Salvage Veneer Poles, Piles Sawlogs Sawlogs Logs Girders 20% 40% 15% 15% 10% Applying these indicative proportions to the yield figures in section gives the following yields for the various log types. Table 6.4 Possible Annual Yields of Logs other than Pulpwood (cubic metres) Small Sawlogs Potential Annual Yields (cubic metres) Large Salogs Local Government Area Ballina Bellingen 6,017 12,034 4,513 4,513 3,008 30,084 Byron 503 1, ,516 Coffs Harbour 3,905 7,809 2,928 2,928 1,952 19,523 Copmanhurst 10,119 20,238 7,589 7,589 5,060 50,595 Dumaresq 895 1, ,477 Grafton Guyra 647 1, ,234 Kyogle 6,337 12,674 4,753 4,753 3,168 31,684 Lismore 742 1, ,711 Maclean 3,183 6,366 2,387 2,387 1,591 15,914 Pristine Waters 20,547 41,094 15,410 15,410 10, ,734 Richmond Valley 5,464 10,929 4,098 4,098 2,732 27,322 Severn 2,855 5,710 2,141 2,141 1,427 14,274 Tenterfield 8,584 17,168 6,438 6,438 4,292 42,921 Tweed 2,253 4,507 1,690 1,690 1,127 11,267 Total 72, ,146 54,054 54,054 36, ,363 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December Salvage Logs Veneer Logs Poles, Piles, Girders Total

24 7. The Hardwood Plantation Resource 7.1 State Forests of NSW Pre-1994 Plantations These are the hardwood plantations on State Forest that were established prior to the commencement of State Forests Eucalypt Plantation Program in They comprise plantations purchased from APM Forests in the Coffs Harbour-Bellingen region, as well as areas established by State Forests. It includes areas that were cleared and planted but does not include areas of even aged regrowth established by sowing or other intensive silvicultural practices. The total area is about 11,400 hectares. The largest areas are located within Bellingen Shire and Coffs Harbour City Council. Pre-1994 hardwood plantation areas are shown by LGA and species in Table 7.1. Table 7.1 Area of Pre-1994 State Forest Hardwood Plantations by Species and Local Government Area (source: State Forests of NSW) LGA Species Area Planted (hectares) Years Bellingen Flooded Gum/Blackbutt Bellingen Flooded Gum/Blackbutt 4, Bellingen Flooded Gum/Blackbutt 1, Bellingen Flooded Gum/Blackbutt Byron Blackbutt Coffs Harbour Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Coffs Harbour Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Coffs Harbour Blackbutt/Flooded Gum 1, Coffs Harbour Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Coffs Harbour Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Kyogle Flooded Gum/Blue Gum/Gympie Messmate Lismore Blackbutt Lismore Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Lismore Blackbutt Lismore Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Lismore Flooded Gum Pristine Waters Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Pristine Waters Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Pristine Waters Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Pristine Waters Blackbutt/Flooded Gum Tweed Flooded Gum Total 11,433 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

25 7.1.2 Post-1994 Plantations (including Joint Ventures) There are about 19,400 hectares of younger plantations established under State Forests Eucalypt Plantation Program. They consist of joint ventures or rental agreements (annuity payments) between State Forest and private landowners and land purchased and established by State Forests. The area of post 1994 hardwood plantations is set out by LGA and species in Table 7.2. Table 7.2 Area of Post 1994 State Forests of NSW and Joint Venture/Annuity Plantations by Local Government Area (source: State Forests of NSW) Area Planted LGA Species (hectares) Bellingen Blackbutt/Flooded Gum/Shining Gum 141 Byron Blackbutt/Dunn's White Gum/Flooded Gum/miscellaneous species 485 Coffs Harbour Blackbutt/Dunn's White Gum/Flooded Gum/Gympie Messmate 287 Copmanhurst Blackbutt/Spotted Gum/Flooded Gum/Dunn's White Gum/Gympie Messmate 3,228 Dumaresq Sydney Blue Gum/Dunn's White Gum 18 Grafton City Dunn's White Gum/Gympie Messmate 228 Kyogle Blackbutt/Spotted Gum/Flooded Gum/Dunn's White Gum/Shining Gum/Silvertop Stringybark/miscellaneous species 8,045 Lismore City Blackbutt/Dunn's White Gum/Flooded Gum 450 Maclean Dunn's White Gum 154 Pristine Waters Blackbutt/Spotted Gum/Flooded Gum/Dunn's White Gum/Shining Gum/Sydney Blue Gum/Silvertop Stringybark/Gympie Messmate/miscellaneous species 2,749 Richmond River Blackbutt/Spotted Gum/Dunn's White Gum 427 Tenterfield Blackbutt/Spotted Gum/Flooded Gum/Dunn's White Gum/Shining Gum/Sydney Blue Gum/Silvertop Stringybark/Gympie Messmate 2,686 Tweed Blackbutt/Dunn's White Gum/Flooded Gum/Gympie Messmate 530 Total 19,428 Maps 2 to 13 in Appendix 2 show the State Forest pre and post-1994 plantation areas (including softwood) by individual LGAs. State Forests of NSW hardwood plantation program is ongoing and further new areas will be established in the next 5 years. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

26 7.2 The Private Plantation Resource The area of hardwood plantation established by private landowners in northern NSW is fairly negligible. For some years small areas of cabinet timbers in particular have been established on scattered private properties in the north east of the State and there are also scattered Paulownia plantings, but again on a very small scale. Since the mid to late 1990 s, most of the private hardwood plantation establishment has been undertaken by plantation companies based in Queensland and Tasmania. Over the last 12 months a Western Australian company has also purchased land for hardwood plantations in the Casino district. The more significant areas of private hardwood plantations established to date are set out by Local Government Area, species and year of establishment in Table 7.3. Table 7.3 Area of Private Hardwood Plantations by Species and Local Government Area (Source: Private Plantation Companies) LGA Species Area planted (hectares) Year Kyogle Flooded Gum/Dunns White Gum Flooded Gum/Dunns White Gum Dunns White Gum Flooded Gum/Dunns White Gum Flooded Gum/Dunns White Gum/Blackbutt 1, Flooded Gum/Dunns White Gum Dunns White Gum Sub-total Kyogle 2,244 Lismore Flooded Gum/Dunns White Gum Flooded Gum/Blackbutt Sub-total Lismore City 91 Richmond Valley Flooded Gum/Dunns White Gum/Blackbutt Tenterfield Dunns White Gum Total 3,197 Map 1a shows the location of the private plantation resource by LGA. Private plantation companies continue to show interest in establishing plantations in northern NSW. Subject to land availability and climatic conditions it could be expected that up to 5,000 hectares of new plantations will be established on private land within the next 5 years. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

27

28 8. Legislation and Regulation of Private Forestry 8.1 The Native Vegetation Conservation Act (1997) The Native Vegetation Conservation (NVC) Act came into force on 1 January The Act replaced State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 46 and basically incorporates previous clearing controls under other Acts within a single piece of legislation. The NVC Act is administered by the Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC). Under the Act forestry operations are classified as clearing, whether they in fact result in broad scale vegetation removal or minimal disturbance through selective logging. So in northern NSW, where most forestry operations involve selective logging rather than clearfelling, the main impact of the Act has been the requirement for private forest owners to either manage their forests under a set of exemptions or apply for a clearing authorisation. There are a number of provisions of the NVC Act that apply to the management of private native forests: Regional Vegetation Management Plans The NVC Act provides for the development of Regional Vegetation Management Plans (RVMPs) by community based Regional Vegetation Committees (RVCs). Draft plans have been prepared for the Richmond, Clarence and Tenterfield regions which cover in excess of 70% of the private forest area being considered in this report. The intention of the RVMPs is that they will be a one stop shop for people wishing to clear or selectively log native vegetation. When the plans are approved by the Minister for Land and Water Conservation, they will set out the guidelines for clearing (including selective logging) and will also delineate areas of native vegetation where clearing will be limited or prohibited. Where clearing is consistent with the RVMP, development consent from DLWC will not be required. All other clearing (including selective logging and clearing for plantation development) will require development consent. In areas without an RVMP, clearing can be undertaken without consent providing it is consistent with the exemptions under the Act (see below) and the requirements of other Acts do not apply. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

29 8.1.2 Private Native Forestry Exemption There are a set of existing exemptions within the Act that allow for native vegetation clearing under certain conditions, including the clearing of less than 2 hectares per year, the removal of less than 7 trees per hectare and sustainable selective logging, although there have been difficulties in interpreting the latter. By and large the current exemptions do not cover normal forestry operations such as selective logging. The ministerially appointed Private Native Forest Reference Group recently recommended a new private native forest exemption and consent pathways and when approved by the minister they will apply to areas under an RVMP, as well as areas where there is no RVMP. It is not intended to go into detail on the recommended exemption, given that it does not have ministerial consent at the time of publication of this document. More information is available on the Department of Land and Water Conservation website, Clearing Outside RVMP Areas For landowners in areas where no RVMP applies or an RVMP has not been approved by the Minister, clearing of vegetation can only be undertaken under the exemption or with approval from DLWC. For selective logging on State Protected Land (generally land mapped as in excess of 18 slope or riparian areas), approval from DLWC is required. The approval will include a requirement to develop a plan of management for the proposed operation based around Interim Best Operating Standards (BOS) that have been developed by DLWC. For selective logging on areas outside State Protected Land, the landowner will be required to undertake the logging in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the BOS. However where no approval is required by DLWC, the landowner must also consider the provisions of the Threatened Species Conservation Act Where the logging is likely to have an impact on threatened flora and fauna species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats, the landowner is required to consider such impacts. An assessment of the potential impact of an operation involves an 8 point test of significance. If this assessment determines that there is likely to be a significant impact, the operation may need to be licensed by NPWS. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

30 8.1.4 The Development of Guidelines for Private Native Forest Management In 2003 guidelines will be developed for the silvicultural management of private native forests. An operating protocol will be put in place for forestry operations carried out under the native forest exemption (the Exemption Operating Protocol)) and a set of operating standards will be developed for forestry operations carried out under an approval from DLWC (the Forestry Operations Standards) Further Information about the NVC Act Further information about the Native Vegetation Conservation Act can be found on the DLWC website, The Plantations and Reafforestation Act (1999) The Plantations and Reafforestation Act (1999) was designed to provide a single consent process for establishing and harvesting plantations in NSW. Under the Act a plantation is defined as an area of land on which the majority of trees or shrubs forming the canopy have been planted. Plantations need not necessarily be for the specific purpose of wood production. Plantings for alternative products such as bush foods, cut flowers or even land degradation amelioration are considered plantations under the Act. A Code has been developed to guide landowners wanting to invest in plantations (The Plantations and Reafforestation (Code) Regulation 2001). The Act has a tiered approach to plantation approval. Small scale farm forestry plantings (less than 30 hectares) do not require any approval. Larger plantings and plantations where pre-establishment clearing is required need to go through a consent process. There are three categories of plantations as defined in the Act: Exempt Farm Forestry Complying Plantations Non-Complying Plantations Exempt Farm Forestry Exempt farm forestry plantations are those plantations that are under 30 hectares in size and which do not require any clearing of native vegetation. When considering planting trees over a number of years, as is the case in many farm situations, the combined area planted will need to be considered, not just the area planted in any one year. Once the area of plantation exceeds 30 hectares consent is required. THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

31 No harvest guarantee is provided for exempt farm forestry plantations. Complying Plantations Complying plantations are those that are established under conditions layed out in Part 4 of the Code. These conditions relate to native vegetation clearing, soil and water protection and protection of Aboriginal and cultural heritage. Initially, an assessment is undertaken by a Department of Land and Water Conservation officer prior to an application being made. This assessment determines whether the plantation will be assessed as complying or non-complying. Harvest guarantee is provided for complying plantations. Non Complying Plantations A non-complying plantation is one which does not comply with all of the conditions under Part 4 of the Code, but which nevertheless may receive conditional approval. If the impacts of the plantation are assessed as being not significantly greater than a complying plantation, then consent may be given. If it is determined that the establishment of the plantation will result in significant environmental impacts, conditional approval may be given for a modified establishment program. Plantation applications that differ significantly from the standards layed out in Part 4 of the Code will more than likely be rejected. Harvest guarantee is provided for non-complying plantations that are authorised under the Act Further Information about the Plantations and Reafforestation Act and Code Further information about the Plantations and Reafforestation Act and Code can be found on the DLWC website, THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

32 Acknowledgments John Murray and Ron Winwood-Smith from State Forests of NSW North East Region assisted with the preparation of Maps 1 and 2 to 13. Elise Newberry of State Forests Future Forests Division provided information on State Forests of NSW hardwood plantation resource. Individual Plantation Companies provided information on private plantations. The assistance and encouragement of John Macgregor-Skinner from Northern Rivers Private Forestry and Don Frater from Invest Northern Rivers is greatly appreciated. David Ryan of Boambee Forestry Services contributed to the original 1994 North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study. Photographs of forest types in the report were taken by Northern NSW Forestry Services. Photographs of applications for hardwood timbers produced from regrowth forests and plantations were kindly provided by Coffs Harbour Hardwoods (Glenreagh), Rose Gum Timbers (Bellingen) and the Furniture Design Centre, Department of Technical and Further Education, Coffs Harbour Education Campus,. Further Information For further information regarding this report or to obtain additional copies, contact John Macgregor-Skinner at Northern Rivers Private Forestry, P.O. Box 6396, South Tweed Heads 2486 ( ), johnmac@nrrdb.com.au. Bibliography Margules Groome Poyry in association with Northern NSW Forestry Services and Diana Gibbs and Partners. Timber Industry and Resource Development Opportunity Study Glen Innes and District. A project undertaken for the Glen Innes and District Development Board. June Margules Poyry. Investment Opportunities in the Australian Forest Products Industry. Prepared for DIST and Invest Australia. March 1998 (Version 2, November 1999). Northern New South Wales Forestry Services. North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study. A project undertaken for the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board. November THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

33 Northern New South Wales Forestry Services and State Forests of NSW. Mid North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study. A project undertaken for the Mid North Coast Regional Development Board. July Northern New South Wales Forestry Services in conjunction with Bureau of Rural Sciences. Private Forest Management Intent Survey Northern NSW CRA Regions. A report undertaken for the NSW CRA/RFA Steering Committee. July Northern New South Wales Forestry Services. Feasibility Study Establishment of a Sustainable Timber Industry based around Ashford Power Station, Ashford NSW. A project undertaken for the Ashford Business Council. January Northern New South Wales Forestry Services. Identifying the Available Forest resource in Northern NSW and the Potential Investment Opportunities over the next 5 years. A project funded by the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board, Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the New England North West Regional Development Board. May Northern New South Wales Forestry Services. Removing Investment Impediments to Private Forestry in the Northern Rivers. A project being undertaken for the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils. June NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation website THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern Rivers Private Forestry. PO Box 6396, South Tweed Heads Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino December

34 APPENDIX 1 Executive Summary North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study, 1994

35 Appendix 1 Executive Summary North Coast Forest and Plantation Resources Study This report presents the findings of the North Coast Forest and Plantation Resource Study. The Study was commissioned by the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board, and carried out by Northern New South Wales Forestry Services with the assistance of Boambee Forestry Services. The study covered an area extending in the south from Port Macquarie and Walcha north to the New South Wales/Queensland border. This area was stratified into two zones, an inner zone within 100 kilometre of Grafton, and an outer zone between the inner zone and the boundary of the study area, broadly translating to 250 kilometres by road from Grafton. Within these zones the study aimed to determine:- the area of productive private hardwood forest being managed, amongst other uses, for timber production, and the potential yields that might be expected from these forest areas, taking into account species types and site quality; an estimate of potential private land area available for the establishment of hardwood plantations, and potential yields, profitability and likely stumpages; an estimate of the volume of un-committed sawmill residues; constraints or impediments to private forestry that may in future limit productivity from existing native forests or impede the establishment and management of plantations, including thinning and clear falling operations. The net productive private forest area, or area over which forest harvesting practices might occur, totals approximately 465,000 hectares, being 280,000 hectares within the 100 kilometre zone and 185,000 hectares within the outer zone. After taking into account forest types and basic site quality criteria, and determining indicative growth rates, the total potential annual hardwood yield for private forests in the study area was estimated at 1,064,000 cubic metres, or 628,000 cubic metres from the 100 kilometre zone and 436,000 cubic metres from the outer zone. These yields were further divided into two categories:- pulpwood, and sawlogs, veneer logs, poles, piles and girders. Pulpwood, being logs and material not suitable for sawn timber, veneer or pole, pile and girder production, was estimated at 588,000 cubic metres. Of this volume, 352,000 cubic metres were estimated to be available from the 100 kilometre zone and 236,000 cubic metres from the outer zone. Pulpwood includes material not only suitable for paper manufacture, but also for the manufacture of reconstituted wood products such as fibreboard and hardboard. The estimated total potential yield of sawlogs, veneer logs, salvage logs and poles, piles and girders was 476,000 cubic metres, made up of 276,000 cubic metres from the 100 kilometre zone and 200,000 cubic metres from the outer zone.

36 This yield was further broken down by product, with small and large sawlogs totalling 286,000 cubic metres (166,000 and 120,000 cubic metres respectively), salvage logs 71,000 cubic metres (41,000 and 30,000), veneer 71,000 cubic metres (41,000 and 30,000) and poles, piles and girders 48,000 cubic metres (28,000 and 20,000). The history of plantation establishment on the north coast was briefly addressed, including yield data that is available for plantations within the study area. The study broadly mapped the area of private land that, on the basis of climate and soils, would potentially be the most suitable hardwood plantations. During the course of the study private landowners expressed interest in the establishment of approximately 3,800 hectares of private plantations. Not all of this area would be considered ideal in terms of potential for fast growing plantations, however in excess of 50% lies within the area that fits the criteria for successful establishment. As at 9th November, 1994, State Forests of New South Wales, through their Joint Venture Hardwood Plantation Program, are negotiating the establishment of approximately 1,800 hectares, 20% of which was identified by the study. Details of all landowners who expressed an interest in the Joint Venture program through this study have been passed on to State Forests for follow up. The study looked at the internal rate of return (IRR) that could be expected for different plantation scenarios within the study area. The IRR is the rate of return on the plantation project that the investor can expect to receive. It does not take into account the cost of the funds invested nor the project risk. The study concludes that the IRR is most impacted upon by such factors as growth rate and yield (and hence site quality and soils), and initial establishment costs, particularly land prices. It was found for example that highly suitable land with optimum conditions for establishment and growth also carries a very high per hectare purchase value. An investor might be attracted to the quality of the land for plantations but the high cost of establishment can result in an unacceptably low IRR despite the predicted fast growth rates. The study determined that there is a total of approximately 90,000 tonnes of sawmill residues from private property log sources not currently committed to markets. Only a small percentage of the 271 licensed sawmills in the study area have wood chipping facilities. Should domestic markets for woodchip eventuate within the study area, considerable efficiencies in the utilisation of sawmill waste and small pulpwood logs could be achieved through the location of decentralised chipping facilities at a number of regional centres. The study also investigated the range of regulatory and legislative measures at all Government levels that are having an impact on private forest management, including the potential for plantation establishment. Many of the controls on private forestry are having a negative impact and the situation should be addressed at all levels of Government.

37 APPENDIX 2 Maps 2 to 13 - Local Government Areas showing Forest Cover and Plantations

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50 APPENDIX 3 Record of Field Checking and Previous Consultancies used to Validate Broad Forest Types

51 Appendix 3: Record of field checking and previous consultancies used to validate broad forest types 1:25000 Map Sheet Ground Checked as part of Study Previous Property Inspections (NNSWFS) 1:25000 Map Sheet Ground Checked as part of Study Previous Property Inspections (NNSWFS) 1:25000 Map Sheet Ground Checked as part of Study Previous Property Inspections (NNSWFS) 1:25000 Map Sheet Ground Checked as part of Study Previous Property Inspections (NNSWFS) 1:25000 Map Sheet Ground Checked as part of Study Previous Property Inspections (NNSWFS) Afterlee Clevedon Guyra Nimbin Whiporie Backwater Clouds Creek Henry River Nymboida Wilsons Peak Bald Blair Coaldale Hernani Paddys Flat Woodburn Ballina Coffs Harbour Hogarth Range Palen Creek Woodenbong Banyabba Coombadja Huonbrook Pillar Valley Woolgoolga Bare Point Copmanhurst Hyatts Flat Pottsville Woombah Baryulgil Cougal Jackadgery Pretty Gully Wylie Creek Bellingen Coutts Crossing Killarney Raleigh Yamba Ben Lomond Cudgen Kookabookra Rappville Yates Flat Bilambil Dalmorton Koreelah Red Range Yellow Jacket Black Mountain Darkwood Lamington Red Rock Blaxlands Flat Dorrigo Larnook Rockadooie Bonalbo Drake Lismore Sandon Bookookoorara Dundee Liston Sandy Flat Boonoo Dundurrabin Lyndhurst Sara River Brays Creek Dunoon Maclean Shannon Vale Brooklana Ebor Maiden Creek Spirabo Brooms Head Elbow Valley Malara Creek Tabbimoble Brunswick Heads Ellangowan Mallanganee Tatham Buccarumbi Empire Vale Marengo Tenterfield Bulldog Rock Emmaville Maybole Tooloom Burringbar Ettrick Missabotti Tucabia Byron Bay Gibberagee Moleton Tunglebung Camelback Girralong Moonee Beach Tweed Heads Cangai Glen Elgin Mount Clunie Tyalgum Capeen Glenreagh Mount Lindsay Tyndale Carnham Grafton Mt Slow Wardell Casino Grevillea Mt Wellington Wards Mistake Chaelundi Gundahl Mummulgum Washpool Clearfield Guy Fawkes River Murwillumbah Wenonah Head

52 APPENDIX 4 Photographs illustrating some examples of Broad Forest Types and Hardwood Plantations

53 High Site Quality Spotted Gum Medium Site Quality Spotted Gum Low to Medium Site Quality Spotted Gum (the other main species is Grey Ironbark)

54 High Site Quality Blackbutt Medium Site Quality Blackbutt Low to Medium Site Quality Blackbutt

55 Medium to High Site Quality Moist Mixed Hardwoods Medium Site Quality Moist Mixed Hardwoods High Site Quality Moist Mixed Hardwoods (Flooded Gum is the dominant species)

56 Medium to High Site Quality Dry Mixed Hardwoods Low Site Quality Dry Mixed Hardwoods Medium Site Quality Dry Mixed Hardwoods

57 High Site Quality New England Hardwoods (stringybarks) High Site Quality New England Hardwoods (Eucalyptus viminalis) Low Site Quality New England Hardwoods

58 35 Year Old Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) 30 Year old Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis) Plantation north of Woolgoolga, has been thinned twice. Plantation near Coffs Harbour first thinned in Month Old Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis) Plantation near Casino. (Photo Courtesy of Forest Enterprises Australia)

59 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Forest Areas by Map Sheet, LGA, Broad Forest Types (1994 classification) and Site Quality Classes

60 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Ballina Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Ballina Nil Nil Nil Empire Vale Nil Nil Nil Lismore Nil Nil Nil Wardell Nil Nil Nil Total Nil Nil Nil Bellingen Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Bellingen BBT High BBT Mix High 1,740 1,400 1,120 BBT Mix Medium 1,210 1, Moist Mix High Brooklana Moist Mix High 4,270 1,810 1,539 Darkwood BBT High 2,880 2,640 2,244 Moist Mix High 1, Dorrigo Moist Mix High 1, Moist Mix Medium 6,720 4,060 3,045 Dundurrabin Moist Mix High Moist Mix Medium 70 Nil Nil Girralong BBT High 1,740 1,740 1,479 Missabotti BBT High BBT Medium Moist Mix Medium Raleigh Nil Nil Nil Wenonah Head Nil Nil Nil Total 24,030 16,125 13,071 Byron Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Brunswick Heads Nil Nil Nil Burringbar BBT Mix High Byron Bay Nil Nil Nil Dunoon Nil Nil Nil Sub-total Byron THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 1 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

61 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Byron Shire (cont'd) Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Huonbrook BBT High BBT Mix Medium Pottsville Nil Nil Nil Total 1,360 1,300 1,047 Coffs Harbour City Council Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Brooklana BBT High 2,790 1,740 1,479 Moist Mix High 1,910 1,590 1,352 Coffs Harbour BBT High Glenreagh Dry Mix Medium Moleton SG Mix Medium Moist Mix High 1,420 1,250 1,062 Moist Mix Medium 3,210 1,920 1,440 Moonee Beach BBT High BBT Medium Raleigh Nil Nil Nil Woolgoolga Moist Mix High Total 12,720 9,800 7,916 Copmanhurst Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Banyabba SG Medium 1, Baryulgil SG Mix Medium SG/BBT Medium 8,610 7,300 5,474 Dry Mix Low 4,170 1,630 1,060 Dry Mix Medium 1,740 1,590 1,113 Bulldog Rock Dry Mix Low 1,400 1, Camelback SG Mix Low 8,570 6,380 4,147 Carnham SG Low 5,910 3,090 1,854 SG Medium 2,580 1,940 1,455 SG/BBT Medium 2,530 1,540 1,155 Dry Mix Low Sub-total Copmanhurst 37,550 26,230 18,154 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 2 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

62 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Copmanhurst Shire (cont'd) Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Clearfield SG Medium 1, SG Mix Medium 1,540 1, SG Mix Low 3,750 3,300 2,145 SG/BBT Medium 4,700 4,120 3,090 Dry Mix Low Coaldale SG Low 4,350 3,560 2,492 SG/BBT Low 1,360 1, BBT Mix Medium 1,150 1, BBT Mix Low 1,170 1, BBT/BLW Low 3,240 3,140 2,041 Copmanhurst SG Medium 2,120 2,120 1,590 SG/BBT Low 4,470 4,120 2,884 BBT/BLW Low 8,350 7,850 5,495 Dry Mix Low 1,480 1, Drake Dry Mix Low Jackadgery SG Low 1, Maclean SG Low 1,150 1, SG/IBK Medium Malara Creek SG Mix Medium 1,770 1,570 1,099 Mallanganee SG/IBK Low Rappville SG Medium 1,240 1, SG/BBT Medium 1,475 1,415 1,061 BBT/SG Medium 3,895 3,780 3,024 Tyndale SG Medium 1,150 1, Washpool SG Mix Low 3,940 1,970 1,281 Whiporie SG Mix Medium 4,555 3,715 2,601 SG Mix Low 5,711 5,681 3,693 Dry Mix Low Yates Flat SG High SG Low SG Mix Medium 1, Dry Mix Medium 1,370 1, Dry Mix Low 2,140 1,540 1,001 Total 110,012 89,953 62,822 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 3 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

63 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Dumaresq Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Hyatt's Flat Moist Mix High NE Mix High 2,490 1,940 1,455 NE Mix Medium Total 3,140 2,540 1,935 Grafton City Council Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type (1994 Site Quality Gross Productive Net classification) Productive Grafton SG Low Total Guyra Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Backwater NE Mix Low 6,040 5,630 3,378 Bald Blair NE Mix Low 5,240 3,065 1,839 Ben Lomond Nil Nil Nil Black Mountain Nil Nil Nil Clevedon Nil Nil Nil Guyra Nil Nil Nil Hernani NE Mix Medium 1,760 1, Kookabookra NE Mix Medium NE Mix Low Lyndhurst NE Mix Low Maiden Creek NE Mix Low 1,719 1, Wards Mistake NE Mix Low 4,600 4,170 2,502 Total 20,408 16,653 10,133 Kyogle Shire 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) Area Estimate (hectares) Site Quality Gross Productive Net Productive Afterlee SG Mix Medium 1,970 1,600 1,280 SG Mix Low Moist Mix Medium Bonalbo SG Medium 5,220 2,910 2,182 SG Mix Medium Moist Mix Medium 1,690 1,640 1,230 Brays Creek Moist Mix Medium 1,850 1, Capeen SG Mix Medium Moist Mix High 1,320 1, Moist Mix Medium 3,640 3,480 2,609 Cougal Nil Nil Nil Sub-total Kyogle 18,160 13,970 10,590 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 4 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

64 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Kyogle Shire (cont'd) Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Ettrick SG Medium 1, Grevillea Moist Mix Medium 3,680 3,460 2,594 Moist Mix Low Hogarth Range Dry Mix Medium Lamington Nil Nil Nil Larnook Moist Mix Medium 1,448 1,347 1,010 Mallanganee SG Medium 1, SG Low Mount Lindesay Moist Mix Medium Mummulgum SG Medium Nimbin Moist Mix Medium 1,370 1, Paddys Flat Moist Mix Medium 3,520 3,170 2,378 Palen Creek Nil Nil Nil Tooloom Moist Mix Medium Dry Mix Medium Tunglebung SG Medium SG Mix Medium Woodenbong Moist Mix Medium Dry Mix Medium 1,580 1, Yates Flat SG High SG Medium Total 37,493 31,222 23,342 Lismore City Council Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Dunoon Nil Nil Nil Huonbrook Moist Mix High BBT Mix Medium Larnook Moist Mix Medium 1,989 1,657 1,243 Lismore Nil Nil Nil Nimbin Moist Mix Medium Wardell Nil Nil Nil Total 3,229 2,867 2,178 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 5 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

65 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Maclean Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Banyabba SG Mix Medium 4,530 4,090 2,916 SG/BBT Medium Brooms Head BBT Mix Medium 2,020 1,960 1,470 Maclean SG Medium SG Low SG/IBK Medium 3,120 2,980 2,086 SG/BBT Low 2,850 2,790 1,953 BBT Medium Sandon Nil Nil Nil Tucabia SG/BBT Medium Tyndale SG/BBT Medium 1, BBT Mix Medium 3,670 3,640 2,730 BBT Mix Low Woombah Nil Nil Nil Yamba Nil Nil Nil Total 20,350 19,405 14,053 Pristine Waters Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Bare Point Nil Nil Nil Blaxlands Flat BBT/BLW Low 22,580 18,220 11,841 Dry Mix Low Buccarumbi SG Low 3,510 2,620 1,834 SG Medium SG/IBK Medium 3,810 2,490 1,743 BBT/SG Low 5,430 4,790 3,353 Camelback SG Medium 2,060 1,570 1,177 SG Mix Low 1, SG Mix Medium 2,510 2,010 1,407 Cangai SG Mix Medium Dry Mix Low 3,140 1, Chaelundi NE Mix Medium 1,430 1, Clouds Creek SG Medium 1,860 1,690 1,268 Moist Mix Medium 1,680 1, Coombadjha SG Low SG Mix Medium 9,000 5,020 3,514 Copmanhurst SG Low Coutts Crossing SG Medium 4,310 2,980 2,235 SG Low 2,030 1,450 1,015 SG Mix Low 9,610 6,720 4,368 Dalmorton SG/IBK Low 1,990 1,740 1,131 SG Mix Low 7,300 5,590 3,633 Dry Mix Low 3,570 1, Sub-total Pristine Waters 90,330 65,440 44,372 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 6 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

66 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Pristine Waters Shire (cont'd) Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Dorrigo Moist Mix Medium 2,880 1,440 1,080 Dundurrabin BBT Medium Moist Mix High 2,320 1,980 1,683 Moist Mix Medium 4,980 4,700 3,525 Ebor NE Mix High 1, Glenreagh SG Medium SG Mix Low 2,590 2,470 1,605 SG Mix Medium 2,160 1,910 1,337 BBT Mix Medium BBT/BLW Low 2,510 1,680 1,092 Dry Mix Medium 1, Grafton SG Low 10,610 9,970 6,979 Gundahl SG Low 1,830 1,430 1,001 SG Medium SG Mix Medium SG/IBK Medium 8,170 7,500 5,250 Moist Mix Medium Guy Fawkes River SG Low 2,260 2,260 1,582 Hernani Moist Mix High 2, NE Mix Medium Jackadgery SG Low 1,280 1, SG Mix Low 5,640 4,900 3,185 SG Mix Medium 2,550 2,120 1,484 Dry Mix Low 1,190 1, Marengo Moist Mix Medium 3,350 2,970 2,227 Dry Mix Low 1,440 1, NE Mix Medium Moleton SG Mix Medium North Solitary Island Nil Nil Nil Nymboida SG Low 1,470 1,440 1,008 SG Medium 6,595 5,820 4,365 SG/BBT Low Pillar Valley SG/BBT Medium 12,280 8,360 6,269 Red Rock SG Low BBT Medium 5,040 4,600 3,680 Dry Mix Low Sandon Nil Nil Nil Tucabia SG Low SG/BBT Medium BBT/SG Medium 2,670 2,630 2,104 BBT Mix Low 4,150 3,720 2,604 Tyndale SG/BBT Medium BBT Mix Medium Woolgoolga BBT Medium 3,430 3,030 2,424 BBT Mix Medium 2,520 2,100 1,575 Moist Mix High Total 195, , ,546 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 7 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

67 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Richmond Valley Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Banyabba SG Mix Low SG Mix Medium 3,660 3,620 2,534 Casino Nil Nil Nil Clearfield Dry Mix Low Ellangowan SG Medium 1,870 1,640 1,230 SG/BBT Medium 2,980 2,820 2,115 SG/IBK Medium 1,430 1, Gibberagee SG Mix Medium SG/IBK Low BBT/SG Medium 1, Hogarth Range SG Low 1,280 1, SG Medium 7,110 6,800 5,099 SG/BBT Low 2,660 2,510 1,757 Mummulgum SG Medium Rappville SG Medium 5,230 5,010 3,758 SG Mix Medium 1,930 1,850 1,295 SG/BBT Medium BBT Low BBT/SG Medium Tabbimoble BBT Mix Medium 1,060 1, BBT Mix Low 4,840 3,380 2,366 BBT/BLW Low Tatham SG Medium 1,450 1,360 1,020 Whiporie SG Mix Medium Woodburn BBT Low Dry Mix Medium Woombah Nil Nil Nil Yates Flat SG Medium Total 41,899 38,304 27,751 Severn Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Coombadjha NE Mix Medium Dalmorton Dry Mix Low Dundee NE Mix Medium 4,146 4,125 2,888 NE Mix Low 1,999 1,897 1,136 Glen Elgin NE Mix Medium 3,300 2,890 2,023 NE Mix Low 2,920 2,860 1,716 Henry River NE Mix Medium NE Mix Low 4,010 3,420 2,052 Sub-total Severn 17,885 16,242 10,546 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 8 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

68 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Severn Shire (cont'd) Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Kookabookra NE Mix Low Maybole Nil Nil Nil Mount Slow NE Mix Low 1,940 1,760 1,056 Mount Wellington NE Mix Medium 1,320 1, Red Range NE Mix Medium 1,630 1,600 1,120 Rockadooie NE Mix Low 13,050 9,210 5,526 Sara River NE Mix Medium 3,060 2,890 2,023 Shannon Vale NE Mix Medium 1,682 1,657 1,177 NE Mix Low 1,605 1, Spirabo NE Mix Medium 1, NE Mix Low 140 Nil Nil Washpool SG Mix Low Yellow Jacket NE Mix Medium Total 44,534 37,798 24,348 Tenterfield Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Bookookoorara NE Mix Medium 3,840 3,360 2,352 NE Mix Low 4,120 3,470 2,082 Boonoo NE Mix Medium 2,650 2,510 1,757 NE Mix Low 4,370 3,840 2,304 Bulldog Rock BBT/SG Low Dry Mix Low 1,410 1, NE Mix Medium 1, NE Mix Low 4,870 2,190 1,314 Drake SG Mix Low 10,750 9,530 6,194 Dry Mix Low 3,573 2,243 1,432 NE Mix Low Elbow Valley Dry Mix Low 3,590 3,300 2,145 Killarney Nil Nil Nil Koreelah Moist Mix Medium Dry Mix Medium 1,580 1,520 1,064 Dry Mix Low 1,150 1, Liston Dry Mix Medium 2,600 1, NE Mix Medium 1,550 1,500 1,050 NE Mix Low 3,230 3,090 1,854 Malara Creek Dry Mix Low NE Mix Medium 1,060 1, Mallanganee SG/IBK Low 2,461 1, Mount Clunie Moist Mix Medium Paddys Flat Moist Mix Medium 3,410 2,830 2,122 Dry Mix Medium 9,050 8,090 5,663 Sub-total Tenterfield 68,724 55,998 37,074 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 9 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

69 APPENDIX 5 Gross, Productive and Net Productive Areas by LGA, Map Sheet, Broad Forest Type (1994 classification) and Site Quality Tenterfield Shire cont'd Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Pretty Gully Dry Mix Medium 12,890 11,050 7,735 Sandy Flat NE Mix Low 1,370 1, Spirabo NE Mix Medium 1,359 1, NE Mix Low 3,730 3,090 1,854 Tenterfield NE Mix Low 1, Tooloom Moist Mix Medium 7,500 6,210 4,657 Dry Mix Medium 2,130 1,860 1,302 Wilsons Peak Nil Nil Nil Woodenbong Dry Mix Medium Wylie Creek Dry Mix Low 8,270 7,170 4,660 Total 107,243 88,853 59,497 Tweed Shire Area Estimate (hectares) 1:25,000 Map Sheet Broad Forest Type Site Net (1994 classification) Quality Gross Productive Productive Bilambil Nil Nil Nil Brays Creek Moist Mix High Moist Mix Medium 1,610 1,550 1,163 Burringbar BBT Mix Medium 1,830 1,740 1,305 Moist Mix High Moist Mix Medium 1,250 1, Cudgen BBT Mix Medium Huonbrook Moist Mix High Lamington Nil Nil Nil Murwillumbah BBT Medium BBT Mix Medium 1,640 1,520 1,140 Moist Mix Medium Nimbin Moist Mix Medium Pottsville Nil Nil Nil Tweed Heads Nil Nil Nil Tyalgum Moist Mix Medium Total 8,790 8,330 6,361 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST 10 Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October 2002

70 APPENDIX 6 Estimated Potential Yields by LGA, Broad Forest Types (1994 classification) and Site Quality Classes

71 APPENDIX 6 Estimated Potential Yields by LGA, Broad Forest Types (1994 classification) and Site Quality Broad Forest Site Est. Net Productive Growth Estimated Potential Local Government Area Type Quality Area (ha) Factor Yields (cu.m) Ballina Shire Nil n/a Nil Bellingen Shire BBT High 3, ,978 BBT Medium ,763 BBT Mix High 1, ,256 BBT Mix Medium ,582 Moist Mix High 1, ,645 Moist Mix Medium 4, ,688 13,071 49,911 Totals Byron Shire BBT High ,331 BBT Mix High BBT Mix Medium ,070 Totals 1,047 4,100 Coffs Harbour City SG Mix Medium Council BBT High 1, ,145 BBT Medium ,918 Moist Mix High 3, ,887 Moist Mix Medium 1, ,464 Dry Mix Medium ,008 7,916 31,363 Totals Copmanhurst Shire SG High SG Medium 5, ,309 SG Low 6, ,625 SG/BBT Medium 10, ,418 SG/BBT Low 3, ,295 SG/IBK Medium SG/IBK Low SG Mix Medium 5, ,684 SG Mix Low 11, ,152 BBT/BLW Low 7, ,536 BBT/SG Medium 3, ,374 BBT Mix Medium ,604 BBT Mix Low ,730 Dry Mix Medium 2, ,838 Dry Mix Low 4, ,927 62, ,727 Totals Dumaresq Shire Moist Mix High ,530 NE Mix High 1, ,529 NE Mix Medium Totals 1,935 7,395 Grafton City Council SG Low Totals Guyra Shire NE Mix Medium ,369 NE Mix Low 9, ,146 10,133 11,515 Totals THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October

72 APPENDIX 6 Estimated Potential Yields by LGA, Broad Forest Types (1994 classification) and Site Quality Local Government Area Broad Forest Site Quality Est. Net Productive Growth Estimated Potential Type Area (ha) Factor Yields (cu.m) Kyogle Shire SG High SG Medium 4, ,358 SG Low SG Mix Medium 2, ,290 SG Mix Low Moist Mix High ,280 Moist Mix Medium 12, ,953 Moist Mix Low Dry Mix Medium 1, ,898 Totals 23,342 66,526 Lismore City Council BBT Mix Medium ,652 Moist Mix High ,031 Moist Mix Medium 1, ,390 2,178 7,072 Totals Maclean Shire SG Medium SG Low ,107 SG/BBT Medium 1, ,429 SG/BBT Low 1, ,320 SG/IBK Medium 2, ,006 SG Mix Medium 2, ,998 BBT Medium ,338 BBT Mix Medium 4, ,020 BBT Mix Low ,210 Totals 14,053 36,111 Pristine Waters Shire SG Medium 9, ,023 SG Low 15, ,906 SG/BBT Medium 6, ,306 SG/BBT Low SG/IBK Medium 6, ,783 SG/IBK Low 1, ,923 SG Mix Medium 8, ,807 SG Mix Low 13, ,573 BBT Medium 6, ,472 BBT/BLW Low 12, ,933 BBT/SG Medium 2, ,522 BBT/SG Low 3, ,700 BBT Mix Medium 1, ,906 BBT Mix Low 2, ,250 Moist Mix High 2, ,322 Moist Mix Medium 8, ,946 Dry Mix Medium ,176 Dry Mix Low 4, ,081 NE Mix High ,820 NE Mix Medium 1, ,815 Totals 108, ,620 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October

73 APPENDIX 6 Estimated Potential Yields by LGA, Broad Forest Types (1994 classification) and Site Quality Local Government Area Richmond Valley Shire Broad Forest Type Site Quality Est. Net Productive Area (ha) Growth Factor Estimated Potential Yields (cu.m) SG Medium 11, ,979 SG Low ,226 SG/BBT Medium 2, ,127 SG/BBT Low 1, ,987 SG/IBK Medium ,066 SG/IBK Low SG Mix Medium 4, ,858 SG Mix Low BBT Low BBT/BLW Low BBT/SG Medium 1, ,252 BBT Mix Medium ,465 BBT Mix Low 2, ,678 Dry Mix Medium Dry Mix Low ,751 66,627 Totals Severn Shire SG Mix Low Dry Mix Low NE Mix Medium 11, ,470 NE Mix Low 12, ,616 Totals 24,348 40,536 Tenterfield Shire SG/IBK Low ,608 SG Mix Low 6, ,530 BBT/SG Low Moist Mix Medium 7, ,759 Dry Mix Medium 16, ,387 Dry Mix Low 9, ,408 NE Mix Medium 7, ,910 NE Mix Low 11, ,608 Totals 59, ,972 Tweed Shire BBT Medium BBT Mix Medium 2, ,578 Moist Mix High ,091 Moist Mix Medium 2, ,001 Totals 6,361 21,065 Grand totals 363, ,898 THE PRIVATE NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATION RESOURCE OF THE NSW NORTH COAST Northern NSW Forestry Services. PO Box 245, Casino October

74 Appendix 7 Photographs Illustrating Value Adding of Young Regrowth and Plantation Hardwoods The design copyright on furniture illustrated on the last page of this appendix remains the property of the persons whose names appear under the photographs.

75 Flooded Gum (Rose Gum) Kitchen Flooded Gum (Rose Gum) Centre Bench Flooded Gum (Rose Gum) Bathroom Vanity Mixed North Coast Hardwoods Mixed North Coast Hardwoods Staircase and Railing

76 Flooded Gum (Rose Gum) Table Designer: Leon Lockley Flooded Gum (Rose Gum) Pallet Table Designer: Danny Cougle Flooded Gum (Rose Gum) Desk Designer: Luke Millard Blackbutt Stool Designer: Brian Childs Blackbutt Table Designer: Russ Thompson Flooded Gum (Rose Gum) Round Hall Table Designer: Keith Marshall