Ed,

The Resources Energy & Environment Foundation (REEF) urges the Albanese Labor Government to consider the environmental contribution to the nation made by those working in the native hardwood timber industry in NSW, when considering any changes to environmental legislation.

Workers in the NSW native hardwood timber sector create managed forests which encourage koalas to live and eat in them and prevent catastrophic bush fires. They produce around $2.9 billion of hardwood timber for Australian housing, construction, mining, railway and infrastructure.

For every native hardwood tree harvested, more than one tree is replanted or regrown. REEF Forestry Awareness Program chair Noel Atkins said retaining a sustainable and environmentally responsible native hardwood timber industry is essential for Australia’s future, its sovereignty and rural NSW communities.

“Native hardwood timber forest workers are proud environmental custodians, sustaining a precious commodity for future generations. Native hardwood trees take 30-50 years to reach maturity before they can be harvested,” Mr Noel Atkins said.

“Native hardwood timber is sustainably harvested in accordance with strict regulatory codes to protect the regrowth of forests for the benefit of flora and fauna.

“Harvested trees are replaced with new ones through natural seeding, regrowth or plantation, which provides continual carbon storage. They are the ultimate renewal which can be continually regrown and harvested, reducing the high carbon input where steel, plastic and concrete are used.”

A sustainable, responsibly maintained timber industry helps reduce reliance on overseas products. Australia imports more than $5 billion of timber and wood products, particularly from Southeast Asia.

Hardwood Timber management in NSW is balanced and is responsibly managed. Decisions are made on how to meet the growing demand in the future. The Forestry Corporation of NSW manages around two million hectare.

Adrian Dolahenty, ACT