Pittwater Online News

At the July 2024 NSW Labor Party Annual Conference the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN) was advocating for progress on two key issues: 

Action on deforestation - land clearing and native forest logging

stating;

'Australia is a global deforestation hotspot and NSW has been ranked the worst state for forest protection. The previous government weakened laws which have seen land clearing rates explode, to an astonishing rate of 382 football fields every day! We are also the only mainland state without a plan to transition from logging native forests to 100% plantation timber.'

And;

Supporting household electrification - 'Electrification is a leading way to reduce household energy costs whilst also addressing climate change and supporting domestic manufacturing. It is a win-win-win policy outcome for Labor, and NSW should be leading the way!'

LEAN, organised through 150 Labor branches across NSW, supported a motion (Motion 85) that could have led to the closure of native forestry and immediate transition to plantations.

The Motion, available on their website, reads:

{name} branch:

1. Congratulates the Minns and Albanese government’s environmental achievements after a decade of Liberal neglect.

2. Note that last year over 375 branches (170+ in NSW) passed motions calling on Labor to protect native forests, move to 100% plantation timber supply and end broad scale land clearing. ALP National Conference endorsed the need for a new National Forest Policy Statement and Minister Watt committed it would be delivered in this term of government.

3. Calls on Premier Minns and Ministers Sharpe and Moriarty to:

1. Urgently deliver reforms to stop runaway land clearing and work with farmers, providing incentives to restore and regenerate the land.

2. Transition to 100% plantation timber before the next state election.

3. Recognise the significant economic benefits to regional communities from protecting forests and restoring landscapes.

4. Calls on the Prime Minister, Ministers Watt and Plibersek to:

a. Deliver the new National Forest Policy Statement within this term of government.

b. Prioritize effective measures to end land broad scale clearing in Minister Plibersek’s Nature Positive Reforms.

An Introduction  reads:

Halt and reverse deforestation in NSW

Australia is the only developed nation to be listed as a global deforestation hotspot. NSW has been ranked the worst state for forest protection and restoration by WWF. This deforestation is being driven by land clearing and native forest logging. Habitat destruction is the single biggest threat to biodiversity in NSW, a leading cause of our extinction crisis.

Land clearing - Over the four years to 2021, NSW cleared an average of 95,000 ha and 50 million trees per annum, or 382 football fields every day. Land clearing is responsible for 10% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions: 40 million tons in the year to June 2022. Ending deforestation is also important for agricultural market access as the EU and others have introduced regulations to penalize products linked to clearing. Prior to the 2023 election NSW Labor committed to “stop runaway land clearing”. The Labor platform also has commitments to “prevent broadacre clearing” and “ensure we achieve a net increase in vegetation cover”.

Native Forest Logging - NSW is also the only mainland state without a plan to phase out native forest logging. The industry is in structural decline, the government can either manage this transition or face a series of abrupt closures. NSW already sources over 94% of our wood products from plantations, getting to 100% plantations is possible. This industry is only surviving on taxpayer subsidies, the native forest division of Forestry Corporation persistently runs at a loss, totalling -$44m in the last 3 years. Ending logging in NSW would also avoid 64m tons of emissions out to 2050.

The Labor Party also supported a motion put forward by the CFMEU Manufacturing Division, which, with the support of Unions NSW, has pledged to support the state’s timber industry, an expansion of plantation estate and, crucially, extends support for the native forest industry “that creates rural, regional jobs and further down the supply chain in NSW.”

By August 1 Timber NSW and Forestry Australia, which has been lobbying to expand Australia’s carbon credits across all native forest tenures, including State forests, private native forests, forests managed by Traditional Owners, national parks and conservation reserves, were among the first to know of NSW Labor’s new policy on forestry as run by Wood Central in the report ''NSW Labor’s New Policy Binds Minns to $2.9B Timber Industry'.

Wood Central states it is; 'Australia’s first and only dedicated platform covering wood-based media across all digital platforms. Our vision is to develop an integrated platform for media, events, education, and products that connect, inform, and inspire the people and organisations who work in and promote forestry, timber, and fibre.'

Accordingly Wood Central ran:

NSW Labor’s new policy on forestry

NSW Labor recognises the value and role of our forests in storing carbon, protecting biodiversity and supporting regional communities. NSW Labor is strongly committed to contributing to the delivery of Australia’s commitments under the COP26 Glasgow Leaders Declaration on forests and land, which includes halting and reversing forest loss and land degradation by 2030 in recognition that deforestation increases greenhouse gas emissions.

NSW Labor also supports other priorities of the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership, such as greening construction with sustainable wood, and supports a sustainable future for NSW’s forests and forest products industry to help achieve this objective.

Labor will update the NSW Forest Industry Roadmap to ensure it is contemporary and for purpose.

NSW Labor will:

• Recognise the skills, knowledge and competencies of timber workers and their communities, as well as the central role First Nations communities play in restoring country and determining social, economic and environmental benefits flowing from forest management activity.
• Expand NSWs plantation estate and processing and value adding capabilities to better satisfy increasing domestic and international demand for high-value, sustainably sourced and produced wood products, and develop an industry plan that facilitates regional job growth and vibrant sustainable communities.
• Expand the objectives and benefits of public ownership and support, ensuring public investment delivers an equity stake or continued dividends for the people of NSW.
• Support methods and systems for new management regimes for NSW forests that incentivise protection, conservation, restoration and/or sustainable use of NSW forests. This must prioritise the ongoing need for management, the effective use of by-products and restorative management where required along with the promotion of good and decent work.
• Deliver the management and restoration of native forests, recognising and rewarding carbon and biodiversity values and the need for their active and ongoing management.
• Harness the social, environmental, and economic benefits that our forests can provide.
• Support increased supply of timber for residential housing construction, including support for new methods of engineered timber, modular housing and other methods to more economically utilize timber resources.

On August 26 the NSW Government announced to the rest of NSW residents the appointment of an expert panel to lead consultation on a 'Forestry Industry Action Plan', which the government states will outline the path NSW will take to ensure a sustainable timber industry that aligns with the government’s key environmental priorities.

The Statement reads:

The Independent Forestry Panel will be chaired by Peter Duncan AM who has more than 40 years’ experience in primary industries, infrastructure and regional NSW.

Professor Mary O’Kane AC and the Hon. Mick Veitch will also sit on the Panel.

The Panel will be tasked with consulting with a broad range of stakeholders and report to Government on the best options to achieve the balance between sustainable supplies of timber and our environmental commitments.

Stakeholders include representatives from the timber industry, forest growers, environment groups, unions, Aboriginal communities, local government, business, related industries, tourism, scientific experts and the Commonwealth Government.

The Plan will address the following key areas:

Sustainability of current and future forestry operations in NSW;

Environmental and cultural values of forests, including threatened species;

Community demand for timber products, particularly as relates to NSW housing, construction, mining, transport and retail;

The future of softwood and hardwood plantations and the continuation of Private Native Forestry in helping meet timber supply needs;

The role of State Forests in maximising the delivery of a range of environmental, economic and social outcomes;

Opportunities to realise carbon and biodiversity benefits and support carbon and biodiversity markets, and mitigate and adapt to climate change risks; and

Greenhouse gas emission impacts of different uses of forests and assessment of climate change risks to forests.

The former Coalition Government neglected to plan for the future of this industry, so the NSW Government is taking action to give certainty to communities, workers and industry.

To stay informed on the Independent Forestry Panel’s process, please register your interest at www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/forestry-industry-action-plan

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The NSW Government is consulting on the future of forestry in NSW.

“Whether it’s hardwood, softwood or private native forest, our forests and the native species which call them home have faced challenges including bushfires, floods and the ongoing risks due to climate change.

“We want your input on what forests and a sustainable forestry industry will look like in the next 30 years.

“The expert panel will consult a wide range of stakeholders and we encourage everyone to have their say.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

"We need both trees and wood, and we must strike the right balance for communities and our environment in regional NSW.

“Timber is a crucial part of our everyday lives, with timber needed for community and government priorities such as housing, transport infrastructure, electricity distribution, and freight transport.

“The families, businesses and communities that make up this industry will be considered for the Action Plan. Their knowledge and experience will be essential for understanding the issues and finding the solutions.

“Our timber workers also play a crucial role, when we need it most, to protect our forests and our communities during bushfires. They are part of our frontline in those difficult times, where their skills and equipment are critical in the fight.

“The consultative work that is set to go into this Action Plan will ensure all stakeholders are listened to and we arrive at the best future for the timber industry and sustainable state forests.”

On Friday August 30 2024 the Office of Sue Higginson, Greens Member of the NSW Legislative Council and NSW Greens spokesperson for Climate Change, Environment, Planning, Justice & Attorney general, First Nations Justice &Heritage, Agriculture, Regional Communities, North Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and North West, released the following Statement:

Forests forgotten, Minister unaware of logging influence

Questions from the Greens in Budget Estimates have revealed that the Minister for the Environment was unaware of the details for the newly announced Independent Forestry Panel prior to the appointment of a former Forestry CEO. The new panel is set to advise the Government on the timber industry and environmental commitments, despite having no qualified forest scientist appointed. 

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “It’s a slap in the face to the 70% of NSW that support the end of native forest logging in this state, that the Government has appointed a former CEO of the Forestry Corporation to this panel and no expert in forest ecology,”

“That the Minister for the Environment couldn’t confirm that she even knew a former forestry executive was going to be appointed as the chair of this panel is deeply concerning and has given weight to the already low community trust in this process,”

“It’s not a criticism of the intelligence or ability of the panel members to question why the protection of native forests is not being represented. Both the Premier and the Minister have defended this decision but have not given any weight to the importance of genuine forest ecology qualifications,”

“We have already seen through the increased logging in the proposed Great Koala National Park that the Government is failing their environment commitments, this latest panel and industry plan is entrenching the political failure of the Minns Labor Government,”

“As long as the position of the Minister for the Environment is that native forest logging should take precedence over environment protection, forest dependent species will continue to be driven towards extinction,”

“If the Minister was not told about a former Forestry Executive being put forward for this panel, I have genuine concerns about how this information has been handled and how the decision on the Panel has been made by the Government. Was it intentional that they have not promoted Peter Duncan’s history in native forest logging, or is this just another industry vehicle to allow native forest logging to continue?” Ms Higginson said.

The day after the Government announced its 'Forestry Industry Action Plan' the North East Forest Alliance pointed out Mr. Duncan was once the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Corporation and that The Hon. Mick Veitch was previously the ALP’s shadow Forestry Minister.

Members wonder how 'fair dinkum' any consultation would be. To many the 'consultation' sounds just like the prior government's  Coastal IFOA 'consultation' - a fait accompli and a government kowtowing to lobbyist agendas.

On October 30 2024 the NSW Greens response to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen stated:

'The Federal Government has shortlisted a methodology proposed by the NSW Government as part of their Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme. The “Improved Native Forest Management in Multiple-use Public Forests” methodology proposes to generate carbon credits to be traded for hard to mitigate emissions as part of decarbonisation of industry.'

Greens MP and spokesperson for the Environment and Climate Change said “It is deeply disappointing that the NSW Minns Labor Government is so focussed on our precious native forests as sources of income through trading carbon credits. It is a perverse windfall to the biggest climate polluters operating in Australia, that we will allow them to buy out the carbon in our forests, for their own profit and so they can avoid their responsibility to decarbonise,”

“We cannot allow the protection of our native forests from logging to be reliant on a carbon trading scheme - native forests, free from logging, are inherently valuable and should be accounted as one of our greatest assets. Our forests are our front line defence against the worst impacts of climate change and they are the best mechanism we have to draw down and store carbon - to then try to exploit this anymore is just policy failure,”

“Right now in NSW we are industrially logging our forests, which are of global significance and the refugia for some of the world’s most unique and threatened plants and animals. Logging is currently driving the extinction crisis, making our forests more susceptible to increased and more intense fires, and it is costing the NSW public millions of dollars in losses and subsidies,” 

“Carbon markets have been notoriously difficult to manage with integrity, because the producer of emissions and the seller of credits both have a pecuniary interest in either underselling or overselling their side of the equation. To date, I have not seen any evidence that the NSW or Australian Governments will be able to manage this type of market any better than other places around the world. The NSW Minns Labor Government should just get on with the job in front of them and end native forest logging as an immediate priority” Ms Higginson said.