The NSW Government is progressing its alignment with the new Commonwealth Government environment laws that affect the regulation of forestry operations by tasking the NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to develop a Strategic Assessment for forestry operations in NSW.
The assessment by the NRC will cover public native forestry, plantation and private native forestry operations across forests sitting within NSW’s defined Regional Forest Agreement boundaries.
The long-standing exemption for forestry operations between the Commonwealth and NSW across large areas of NSW forests, known as the Regional Forest Agreements (RFA), will cease on 1 July 2027 following the introduction of new environment legislation by the Commonwealth in November last year.
Reforms to the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act last year introduced a new era for environmental protection and improved productivity in Australia.
The RFAs in NSW cover forests in Eden, the North-East and Southern NSW and set obligations and commitments for forest management.
The assessment will consider the impacts from forestry operations on nationally significant animals, plants, habitats and places to ensure they are appropriately identified and managed.
From 1 July 2027, forestry operations taking place in RFAs will need to comply with the same rules and standards as other industries covered under the EPBC Act.
The NSW Government is now releasing for public consultation the draft terms of reference for the strategic assessment.
Once the strategic assessment is complete, the NSW Government will work on a long-term bilateral agreement with the Australian Government to accredit NSW forestry operations.
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to develop a Forestry Industry Action Plan to ensure a sustainable forestry industry that is aligned with environmental and economic priorities.
Consultation commences on 18 September 2026 and finishes on 16 October 2026. Have your say via Strategic Assessment of Forestry in RFAs.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said:
“The Albanese Government congratulates the Minns Government on reaching this important milestone, which will deliver better protections for the environment and more certainty for industry.
“As part of our landmark national environmental law reforms passed by the Australian Parliament at the end of last year, RFA forestry will need to meet the same Federal environmental requirements as other industries.
“We’re providing up to $8.5 million to NSW to ensure it’s meeting national benchmarks, through the development of landscape-scale approval pathways like the strategic assessment.
“We believe in a strong and environmentally sustainable future for the New South Wales forestry industry, and we look forward to continuing work with the Minns Government on this.”
NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:
“The Minns Labor Government is working with the Commonwealth to ensure forestry operations in NSW meet the same national environmental standards that are applied to other industries across Australia.
“This is an important step towards strengthening environmental protections in NSW.”
NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“The Minns Government is committed to working constructively with the Commonwealth to secure a pathway that supports sustainable forestry, strong environmental standards and certainty for industry and regional communities.
“We will utilise the assessment and engagement process with the Commonwealth to deliver a more practical and efficient approval process for industry and support a sustainable domestic timber sector.”
