Forestry Corporation of NSW, Media Release, 15 April 2021
The past 12 months have seen Forestry Corporation of NSW implement a $46 million bushfire recovery program to repair NSW State forests, the largest in the organisation’s history.
The equity injection has seen Forestry Corporation repair priority damaged public infrastructure, expand its Blowering and Grafton nurseries, and start replanting bushfire-affected State forests.
Locally, this has also seen much work done to rebuild Tumbarumba State forest roads and bridges lost in the 2019-20 bushfire season.
The program has already seen many roads reopened, fallen and dangerous trees removed, crossings repaired, drainage structures replaced and signage replaced in Bago, Maragle and Woomargama State Forests, said Forestry Corporation’s Acting Production and Sales Manager, Billie-Jo Brown.
“The last 12 months have been challenging for the forestry industry and communities of the snowy region, but we are pleased to be rebuilding forest infrastructure through the support of the NSW government,” Mrs Brown said.
“We’ve been working closely with local industry to make the forests safe again, with a lot more work slated for delivery over the coming months.
“This investment has made a positive impact to both our forests and communities; where possible we have used local contractors and suppliers.
“We are still progressing with this work as we move through the forests and will also have major bridge repair works commencing in Bago in April as part of this program.”
This work is part of the $46 million equity injection and is part of the larger NSW Government $100 million COVID stimulus package, designed to directly stimulate economies in regional NSW.
This equity injection has seen investment to support the forestry industry and recovering regional communities, said Forestry Corporation Acting CEO Anshul Chaudhary.
“The work happening across the snowy region a great example of how government and industry are working together to help regional communities recover from the 2019-20 bushfire season.”
Find out more about Forestry Corporation’s bushfire recovery program at www.forestrycorporation.com.au