Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles Ms JAN BARHAM: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water. Section 69G of the Forestry Act 2012 requires that a review of New South Wales agreements and related integrated forestry operations approvals be conducted every five years. Noting that the most recent document relating to a review of forest agreements was published in 2010, can the Minister indicate when the overdue third review of the New South Wales forest agreements that is required under the Forestry Act will be undertaken? The Hon. NIALL BLAIR: In the year 2016 we celebrate 100 years of the original Forestry Act here in New South Wales, which then gave birth to the initial Forestry Commission, which then went on to become in recent years the Forestry Corporation. I am glad that the member has taken an interest in the role that our forestry sector plays in New South Wales, particularly for our regional communities and the economies that rely upon this important sector -- not only on the softwoods but also the hardwoods. Just recently I was joined by the Hon. Rick Colless in celebrating 100 years of forestry in New South Wales and the original Forestry Act of 1916. I am sure that as the next days go by I will have more of an opportunity to talk about this wonderful event. The Hon. Lynda Voltz: Point of order: My point of order is relevance. The member asked a question about when a report was due. She did not ask for an extensive history of the 100 years of the forestry industry. I ask you to bring the Minister back to the question. The PRESIDENT: Order! While struggling to see the relevance, I hate to discourage anyone from reflecting on our history. I am sure the Minister will come to answering the question in due course. The Hon. NIALL BLAIR: One cannot talk about the Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals [IFOAs] without talking about the importance of the forestry sector in New South Wales. The existing IFOAs for the coast regions consist of 12 separate licences and around 2,000 conditions. They no longer reflect best practice, with many of the conditions being proscriptive, overlapping and unenforceable. The remake of the Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals [IFOAs] for the coastal regions of New South Wales is expected to streamline and simplify the conditions for carrying out harvesting while delivering the same environmental outcomes. By focusing on outcomes and impacts, the new IFOA aims to deliver positive environmental outcomes at the landscape level, enable industry to operate more efficiently and make the enforcement of the conditions more meaningful. There will continue to be a very high level of environmental protection oversight for forestry operations in New South Wales as we go through with the remake. In relation to an update on the progress and the timeframes, I am happy to take that part of the question on notice and come back to the member.
B1 UK forestry south hon minister review niall When will the Government undertake the overdue review of NSW Forest Agreements? 63 4 emwell posted on 2017/08/15 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary