Getting started in private native forestry

Sustainable management of private native forests makes a positive contribution to the overall health, productivity and profitability of farm enterprises and rural and regional communities.  

This includes ongoing, long-term silvicultural practices to manage your forest for a range of objectives such as:

• timber production
• sustainable harvesting
• biodiversity conservation
• pest and weed management
• fire management
• protection of Aboriginal cultural values.

Local Land Services can provide free, independent advice and assistance to help you: 

• manage your forest to suit a range of values and outcomes 
• decide if a Private Native Forestry Plan suits your goals 
• legally undertake forestry operations as part of your farm forest management activities. 

Regulation of private native forestry

Under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Local Land Services Act 2013, harvesting and associated forestry operations conducted for the purposes of Private Native Forestry (PNF) require an approved PNF Plan. Forestry operations under a PNF Plan must be conducted in accordance with the relevant PNF Codes of Practice (PNF Codes).

Local Land Services Farm Forestry team is responsible for advice and Private Native Forestry Plan approvals.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority is responsible for compliance and enforcement under the Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice.

Where can private native forestry occur? 

Private native forestry can be conducted in native forests on private land where permitted.   

In NSW there are many different types of forest. Timber production in native forests is mainly practised in medium and tall open eucalypt forests, river red gum forests, and cypress pine and hardwood forests in western NSW.

There are around 50 commercial native timbers which are commonly harvested. Preferred timber species include:

• Coastal Blackbutt
• Spotted Gum
• Tallowwood
• Ironbark
• River Red Gum
• White Cypress Pine.

Different mills have different timber preferences and requirements.

Areas of environmental significance and heritage value are excluded from private native forestry. These include:

• mapped old growth forest
• rainforest
• riparian buffers
• areas containing Aboriginal heritage objects and places.

Forest management activities in these areas may be governed under other legislation such as the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Is a Private Native Forestry Plan right for you?

Timber production may not be right for your native forest. You should do a basic assessment of the attributes of your native forest. This will help you decide whether to undertake private native forestry.

Some questions to consider: 

• Is my property located in an area where forestry is practised?
• Is there evidence that timber harvesting has occurred there in the past?
• Is my property large enough to support a forestry operation?
• Is my forest producing merchantable timber?

When do I need a Private Native Forestry Plan?

You need an approved Private Native Forestry Plan (PNF Plan) to harvest timber from native forests on your land.

This may include forestry operations for the purpose of:

• sustainably obtaining timber such as sawlogs, veneer logs, poles, girders, piles and pulp logs
• harvesting of forest products such as seed and charcoal. 

Farmers and land managers want to manage their forests and farms for different values and outcomes. 

Local Land Services will work with you to help you decide if a PNF Plan can help you achieve those outcomes.

If you choose to proceed with applying for a PNF Plan, we’ll work with you to make that happen.

What you need before applying for a Private Native Forestry Plan 

1. Know what activities are allowed when managing your private native forestry.
2. Understand the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice that applies to your land.
3. Undertake due diligence checks including checking your property details on the draft Native Vegetation Regulatory (NVR) Map.
4. Confirm which areas of your property you would like to manage under the PNF Code.
5. Prepare your application for a PNF Plan. 

Local Land Services will work 1 on 1 with landholders who want to conduct private native forestry to guide you through the approval process.

1. Allowable activities 

Some forest management activities do not need approval. Find out if your proposed clearing or harvesting activity is considered an allowable activity in your zone before you begin work.

2. Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice 

The PNF Codes establish a regulatory framework for the sustainable management of private native forests in NSW by ensuring that operations improve or maintain environmental values.  

The PNF Codes contain provisions for: 

• protecting habitat, biodiversity and landscape features
• protecting catchments by minimising soil erosion and reducing contamination of waterways
• maintaining the forest structure
• protecting Aboriginal and cultural heritage values. 

There are four Private Native Forestry Codes and associated advisory notes which apply to different areas across NSW. You need to know your region or forest typebefore starting to ensure you understand the relevant environmental and operating conditions.

3. Due diligence property checks 

Before applying for a PNF Plan, you should check your property details using the Native Vegetation Regulatory map. This map shows the land categories mapped to your property.  

Old growth forest and rainforest areas are mapped as Category 2 - sensitive regulated land. These areas can not be harvested. 

Areas mapped as Category 1 - excluded land may still allow forestry if zoned under a Local Environment Plan (LEP). Check the LEP zoning details to find out if forestry is prohibited, permitted with or without consent.

If you would like further information, or you disagree with the categories mapped on your land, you or someone acting on your behalf can contact the NSW Environment and Heritage Map Review Team. 

The Map Review Team can provide free advice, a category explanation report about the mapping on your land, and/or a map review where appropriate. 

You should also check if you have any restrictions or notifications on the title that prohibit or restrict the use of forestry activities. This might include Land Management (native vegetation) certificates, plantations or biodiversity conservation agreements.

4. Confirm where PNF will meet your objectives

Do you know which forested areas on your property you would like to manage under the PNF Code?  

Forest or forested area is defined in the PNF Codes as, "An area dominated by trees with a mature stand height exceeding 2 metres, overstorey crown cover of greater than 20 percent." 

You may have areas of forest that you wish to consider clearing of native vegetation, or areas you wish to set aside for conservation objectives or for development approval.

You can map these areas to exclude them from your PNF area.

5. Prepare your application for a PNF Plan 

A PNF Plan is an approval to undertake ecologically sustainable forest management activities for a period of up to 15 years.  

Find out more about Private Native Forestry Plans, and what information you need to include in your application. 

Your PNF Plan will include a map showing the extent of the PNF approved area, important habitat and environmental protections, and areas where forest management can occur. 

Your next steps 

Once you have considered if a PNF Plan is right for you, and have undertaken your due diligence checks, you can submit your application for a PNF plan approval. You should also be familiar with what you need to do before you are ready to undertake a forestry operation. 

Read more about: 

1. Private Native Forestry Plans and how to apply
2. Assessing your forest
3. Preparing for a forestry operation.