The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has renewed its calls for national governments to preserve multiple-use public forests, emphasising their importance for the community and sustainable forestry. Richard Hyett, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, voiced concerns over increasing restrictions on access to public lands and the rise of forest lockups, which could hinder sustainable timber production and the broader environmental benefits these forests provide.
“The NSW Parliament has been inquiring into access restrictions to public lands and waterways. This is a timely opportunity to remind policy and decision-makers of the benefits multiple-use public forests provide for the community, through recreation and other uses and through sustainable forestry,” said Hyett. “It’s also an opportunity to call out the worrying trend of more forest lockups and conversion to national parks.”
Forest Lockups Threaten Sustainable Timber Production
Australia has a vast network of conservation reserves, particularly in New South Wales (NSW), which includes more than 7.5 million hectares of national parks and reserves. However, over the last 30 years, more than 1.2 million hectares of state forests in NSW have been converted into national parks. This means that almost 10 per cent of NSW’s total area is now national park land. At the same time, the total area of forests in Australia grew by 2.8 million hectares between 2008 and 2021. Despite this increase, the area of multiple-use public native forests has been halved since the mid-1990s, now making up only about three per cent of Australia’s total forest area.
Richard Hyett pointed out that this is minuscule compared to the European Union, where 84 per cent of native forests are available for sustainable wood production. “This needs to be considered in that context,” he said.
Despite the crucial role multiple-use forests play, activist groups continue to push for further restrictions on access to these lands. According to Hyett, these activists often demand that well-managed multiple-use public native forests be locked up, ignoring the positive impacts of active forest management on biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Instead, Hyett advocates for better management of under-resourced national parks, which were initially created to protect biodiversity and threatened species.
The Benefits of Multiple-Use Public Forests
Multiple-use public forests provide a wide array of benefits, not only to the timber industry but to the community as well. These forests contribute to the economy through the sustainable harvest of timber and wood-fibre resources. In addition, they offer recreational opportunities and educational experiences for the public, such as bushwalking and nature studies.
Moreover, an active management style in these forests encourages carbon sequestration and helps mitigate the risks posed by fire, disease, and pests. These forests often have better biodiversity outcomes compared to untouched national parks due to active management practices that improve habitat conditions. “In many cases, the revenue generated from activities in these forests helps contribute to their conservation and ongoing management,” Hyett explained.
Additionally, many of Australia’s private forestry estates are also made available for recreational activities. This further broadens the community benefits that forestry offers, making forests valuable on multiple fronts.
Growing Demand for Timber: A Critical Issue
The Federal Government’s recently released Timber Fibre Strategy highlights a significant gap between the demand for domestic sawn timber and the nation’s supply capacity. This shortage is being exacerbated by restricted access to sustainably managed native forests, limiting the production of much-needed timber resources for the housing construction industry and other sectors.
Hyett warned that the increasing trend of locking up more public forests could worsen this issue, particularly as the demand for timber continues to rise. “Sadly, multiple-use public forests have become a soft target for governments to satisfy misguided activists who irresponsibly demand that forests sit under lock and key,” he said. Hyett stressed that it is time for governments to recognise the value of these forests and adopt a more balanced approach that supports both the environment and the economy.
A Call for Balanced Forest Management
The AFPA’s position is clear: while conservation and biodiversity are paramount, the role of multiple-use public forests in sustainable forestry should not be overlooked. These forests are critical for meeting both environmental and economic goals. By maintaining these forests for multiple uses, including timber production, governments can support the ongoing provision of essential resources while also protecting biodiversity through active management.
Governments are urged to reconsider the approach of locking up forests for national parks and instead focus on managing forests in a way that benefits both the environment and the people who rely on them. “It’s time for governments to better recognise the value of forests that are open for use, including sustainable forestry, and give them better consideration, rather than the lazy approach of lockups and conversion to national parks,” Hyett concluded.
The Australian Forest Products Association is calling on governments to ensure that multiple-use public forests are protected and maintained. These forests offer vital benefits to both the environment and the community, providing sustainable resources and recreational opportunities. By maintaining access to these forests, Australia can continue to meet the growing demand for timber and wood-fibre resources while also preserving biodiversity through active forest management.
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