Program snapshot
Tracks the effectiveness of forestry rules in protecting the environment and supporting a sustainable timber industry.
Helps ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the Coastal IFOA in achieving its objectives and outcomes.
Monitors forest health, biodiversity, water quality, wood supply, and research evaluation and reporting, as outlined below.
Program areas
Forest monitoring
Monitors indicators of forest regeneration and structure and ecosystem function.
Biodiversity monitoring
Monitors threatened species, habitat condition and ecological processes in response to forestry.
Research and evaluation
Water quality monitoring
Explores how forestry operations, including roads and tracks, affect water quality.
Wood supply monitoring
Evaluates how the Coastal IFOA affects wood supply over time.
Reporting
Reports on progress, evaluates outcomes and adapts to new evidence.
Key program resources
Program establishment and funding
- In March 2020, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the former Department of Primary Industries approved the Coastal IFOA Monitoring Program. The approval followed a proposal from the NSW Forest Monitoring Steering Committee. The EPA provided $2 million from 2019 to 2023 to design and initially implement the program.
- Former Department of Industry added more than $7 million for cross‑tenure monitoring, including establishing environmental baselines, until this funding ended in 2022.
- Under the NSW 2023 Budget, the NSW Government committed up to $1 million a year for 20 years starting in 2024. The EPA also provided an additional $274,000 in 2024.
More advice and research on NSW natural resources
The Natural Resources Commission of NSW provides independent advice and research on natural resource management matters in NSW.
Contact the Natural Resources Commission
Our team welcomes your feedback and enquiries.
Online: contact form
Phone: (02) 9228 4844
Email: nrc@nrc.nsw.gov.au