Forestry Corporation’s Information Systems and Frameworks Manager, Morgan Roche, said the updated plans provided a strategic overview of the management of State forests in NSW.

“We invite stakeholders to provide feedback on these draft plans which describe how we sustainably manage the forests to provide for the continued health of forest ecosystems and biodiversity while responding to the community’s needs for timber and access to the forests for recreation,” Mr Roche said.

“Managing more than two million hectares of forests and contributing 14 per cent of all timber produced in Australia each year, Forestry Corporation is a major force in the state’s forest and wood products industries which employs 22,000 people and adds an estimated $2.4 billion to the economy annually.

“The plans summarise the systematic approach Forestry Corporation takes to sustainable forest management, outline the legal and regulatory framework in which we operate, and demonstrate our commitment to maintaining Australian Forestry Standard certification.

“We have updated the former Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management plans which were developed in the early 2000s as a result of the Forest Agreement.

“The updated plans meet the Forestry Act 2012 requirement for the preparation of Forest Management Plans. They do not propose any substantial changes in terms of the conduct of forest activities or the impact of activities on the environment and local communities and describe Forestry Corporation’s current sustainable forestmanagement practices.

“All submissions received will be considered as the plans are finalised for adoption by the corporation.”

The draft Forest Management Plans are available on the Forestry Corporation website atwww.forestrycorporation.com.au Submissions are invited up to close of business on Friday, 6 November 2015.

Submissions can be made online via the corporation’s website, by email to info@fcnsw.com.au or in writing to FMP update, Forestry Corporation of NSW, PO Box 100, Beecroft NSW 2119.