In August 2024, the NSW Government announced the appointment of an expert panel to lead consultation on a Forestry Industry Action Plan.

The final report of the Independent Forestry Panel has been provided to the NSW Government. Whether the report will be made publicly available and the shape of the future Forestry Industry Action Plan is a matter for the Government.

The Panel is comprised of Peter Duncan AM (Chair), Professor Mary O’Kane AC and the Hon. Mick Veitch.

On 12 September 2024, the Panel opened a public submission period which closed on 13 October 2024.

Transcripts of meetings, stakeholder submissions and other relevant documents were uploaded to the Panel website (see under the respective tabs for Documents, Meetings and Public Submissions). Dates of meetings and publication on the site are given.

The Panel’s approach to transparency is set out in its Transparency Statement.  

The updates sent to stakeholders and interested people who had registered for updates describe the process and progress of the Panel. These are set out in full below.

Update #1, 12 September 2024
(also sent to people who registered later in September and October)

Thank you for registering your interest in being kept informed of the Independent Forestry Panel’s consultation processes.

The Panel has been appointed to consult with stakeholders and report to the NSW Government on the best options to achieve the balance between sustainable supplies of timber and NSW’s environmental commitments, ahead of the NSW Government developing its Forestry Industry Action Plan.

At this time, the Panel is inviting submissions from individuals and organisations.

Submissions open 12 September – 13 October 2024

Written submissions to the Panel will be accepted until 13 October 2024 (11:59pm AEDT).

Information about how to make a written submission, as well as more information about the Panel, can be found here: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/2024/08/independent-forestry-panel

In addition to seeking public submissions the Panel:

• is preparing a program of direct engagement, to include meetings with targeted stakeholder, industry and advocacy groups, briefings from relevant government agencies, and advice from independent forestry and forest ecology experts on key biodiversity and land use issues.
• has invited targeted stakeholders to participate in qualitative stakeholder research being undertaken by a third-party research company in support of the Panel’s process.  
• is continuing to review the range of recent studies, inquiries and decisions on forestry issues.  

We will continue to update you as the Panel’s work progresses.

Update #2, 8 November 2024

Thank you for registering your interest in being kept informed of the Independent Forestry Panel’s consultation processes.

The Panel has been appointed to consult with stakeholders and report to the NSW Government on the best options to achieve the balance between sustainable supplies of timber and NSW’s environmental commitments, ahead of the NSW Government developing its Forestry Industry Action Plan.

Between 12 September and 13 October 2024 the Panel invited written submissions from individuals and organisations. The submission period has now closed, with approximately 1700 submissions being received, including submissions from more than 160 organisations.

The Panel extends its thanks to those on this distribution list who provided a written submission. The effort put into preparing submissions is valued highly and each submission is being closely read, analysed and considered. In addition, the Panel are also making use of text analysis tools to identify themes across the diverse range of ideas and views in the large number of submissions received.

The Panel has commenced meetings with targeted stakeholder, industry and advocacy groups and briefings from relevant government agencies. The Panel also heard from Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Council in a half-day session at Parliament House. Information will be made available under the Meetings tab on the Panel’s webpage once meetings are held.

The qualitative stakeholder research undertaken by a third-party research company in support of the Panel’s process is now completed and the Panel thanks participants for their time and involvement. An overview of this process can be found on the Panel webpage here: Qualitative Research Process.

The Panel’s webpage will continue to be updated with process, presentations and documents that can be made publicly available in line with the Panel’s Transparency Statement. The Panel will be providing a report to government before the end of the year. For the moment, the Panel’s webpage will be the most up-to-date source of information on the Panel’s activities.

Thank you again for your interest in this process.

Update #3, 20 December 2024

You are receiving this email because you have registered your interest in being kept updated about the Independent Forestry Panel’s consultation process.

The Panel was appointed to consult with a wide range of stakeholders and report to the NSW Government on the best options to achieve the balance between sustainable supplies of timber and NSW’s environmental commitments, ahead of the NSW Government developing its Forestry Industry Action Plan.

Thank you to all those that participated in this process and made written submissions. The Panel has now completed this work and has provided its stakeholder consultation report to Government. The next steps for the Forestry Industry Action Plan – and any public release of the Panel’s report – are now a matter for Government.

Since the last email update, the Panel’s webpage has been updated with the remainder of the nearly 1700 public submissions received during this process and the publication of further transcripts and other documents from stakeholder meetings and briefings in line with the Panel’s Transparency Statement.

Thank you for your interest in this process.

Australian Rural & Regional News has approached the NSW Government as to whether and when the report of the Independent Forestry Panel will be made public, and when to expect a Forestry Industry Action Plan.