Southern Tablelands

Farm Forestry Network

Farm forestry

Fact sheets

Extension & resources

Directory of services

Newsletter

Membership

Events

Contact us

Plantations and Reafforestation Act

[Print this fact sheet - pdf 105kb]

At the end of 1999 the NSW Government passed an important Bill that became the Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 (P&R Act). This legislation is relevant to all NSW landholders establishing trees, especially on a large scale.

The significant components of the Act relevant to local landholders are as follows:

One-stop-shop for plantation approval

Previously it was up to Local Government to determine whether a plantation should require approval prior to its establishment. This was problematic as each
council had their own approval requirements causing significant inconsistency across the state. In time associated with getting a plantation approved was
inhibitive.

Under the P&R Act the need for Local Government approval for plantation establishment has been bypassed. All submissions will be assessed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources (DIPNR).

Less than 30Ha per property is exempt from the approval process

The new Act stipulates that “only areas of tree planting less than 30Ha do not require approval or consent”. Regardless of the purpose of tree establishment, revegetation or commercial forestry, all properties planning to establish more than 30Ha must apply for consent.

The Act will only incur consent on tree establishment of areas less than 30Ha, in cases where remnant native vegetation is planned to be removed.

Code of practice for plantation management

Following the development of P&R Act, a Code of Practice for Plantation Management was developed. Complied by CSIRO the Code provides procedures relevant to private forestry, including managing soil and biodiversity, to developing road and track access.

The Code of Practice also details precautions regarding water quality and quantity. In that, farm forestry establishment is not permitted on any riparian and directly adjacent areas. The application of this component of the Act is a hot topic of debate at the moment.

Local Government have expressed concerns regarding the effect that large vehicles, such as log trucks will have on roads and infrastructure. In response to this, committees have been formed to determine regional infrastructure and whether a levy is appropriate to support the maintenance of roads and the like.

Property Vegetation Plans

It is becoming widely accepted that “Property Vegetation Plans” (PVPs) require preparation for a range of purposes, not just to satisfy the P&R Act. Property
owners looking to prepare PVPs should contact their local DIPNR or Catchment Management Authority (CMA).

Harvest guarantee

The former Harvest Guarantee Act was superseded by the new Plantations and Reafforestation Act. Effectively a tree growers rights to harvest will remain the
same. That is, if they are registered as an approved plantation then the growers are assumed to have the right to harvest their planted trees. This means that farm forests less than 30Ha should prepare a ‘Property Vegetation Plan’ as it will ensure that tree establishment areas planned for commercial harvesting are protected by the Harvest Guarantee.

Office of Private Forestry

Under the Act an Office of Private Forestry (OPF) was formed. The office was formed to promote the many benefits of farm forestry and to participate in industry
development. OPF is an advocate to State Government, representing private forestry throughout NSW.

For more information contact OPF on (02) 9228 6437.

Back to top