This section provides an overview of monitoring, evaluation and reporting responsibilities for forested areas within the RFA regions. Further detail of responsibilities for specific RFA MER Plan
activities are provided in each Focus Area.
The NSW Forest Management Framework (Section 7) outlines
the responsibilities of key NSW government agencies involved in managing forests throughout NSW, including within the RFA regions. These are summarised below.
NSW Government agencies and organisations responsible for forest management and monitoring in RFA regions
Land manager of Crown-timber land, including State forest, timber reserves and flora reserves
Forestry operations on Crown-timber land in compliance with IFOAs
Sell timber and other log products
Establish and maintain plantations
Implement pest plant and animal control programs
Fire-fighting authority
Issue forest permits for other uses (e.g. grazing, bee keeping, tourism operations, firewood collection, film making, collection of other forest products (e.g. brushwood etc)
Monitor and report on activities, forest assets and wood products sold from the Crown-timber land native forest estate in accordance with the RFA and Coastal IFOA requirements
Monitor and report on activities, forest assets and wood products sold from the softwood and hardwood plantations managed by FCNSW within RFA regions
Statutory reporting on wildfires and hazard reduction under RF Act
Specific monitoring programs include for example: fauna and flora species under Species Management Plans or other IFOA requirements, water quality and quantity monitoring,
feral animals, burning studies, growth and yield inventory plots and broad area imputation etc
Responsible for State environmental planning policies (SEPPs) and related regulatory requirements
Provide environmental and economic science and research services
Support collating and sharing data, and monitoring and reporting on the status of biodiversity and the effectiveness of conservation actions
Manage Ramsar wetland sites in the national park estate
Implement Saving Our Species program
Manage SEED portal – data accessibility
Monitor and report on the extent, condition and health of forests within the RFA regions
Monitor Saving our Species program for flora and fauna
Maintain NSW BioNet
Assess status of species, communities, populations and habitat, and listing under BC Act
Publish a Biodiversity Outlook Report on the results of the programs (including the method used for the collection, monitoring and assessment of the biodiversity
information at statewide and bioregional scales)
Report to the Australian Government on how the Ramsar Convention is being implemented in NSW
Report to the Australian Government on world heritage outstanding universal values in world heritage properties
Manage the NSW National Park estate, including World Heritage areas and Wetlands of International SignificanceLeads wildlife policy
Produce, monitor and report on plans of management for parks and reserves and reserve fire management strategies
Jointly manage some parks with local Aboriginal groups
Investigate, protect and manage wilderness
Manage WildCount
Monitor and report on activities and forest assets within the national reserve system and areas incorporating Matters of National Environmental Significance
including outstanding universal values in world heritage properties
Provide independent advice to government on NRM matters, including forest management as requested
Under terms of reference, independently oversee the NSW Forest Monitoring and Improvement Program, Coastal IFOA monitoring program, koala research program
and forest dieback research program
Work with Aboriginal communities to promote social, economic and cultural wellbeing through opportunity, choice, healing, responsibility and empowerment
Research and report on the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal people
Guide and advice during RFA review and renewal discussions
Heritage NSW
(under the Department of Premier and Cabinet)
Manage some Crown reserves
Manage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage
Conserve heritage
Monitor and report on heritage assets within RFA regions
Administer the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) database
Monitor extent and severity of wildfires and hazard reduction (BRIMS – Bushfire Risk Information Management System)
Statutory reporting on wildfires and hazard reduction under RF Act
Responsibilities for all NSW agencies identified in the RFA MER Plan
Plan implementation
Implement the monitoring, evaluation and reporting program and projects identified under the
Plan, including by collecting, procuring, analysing, storing and making available monitoring data, research and reports for RFA regions.
Reviews
Contribute to periodic and major reviews and develop public progress reports, including by reporting
on the Sustainability Indicators (Montreal Process criteria and indicators).
Adaptive management
Contribute to any necessary adaptive management of the NSW Forest Management Framework and RFAs
in response to relevant findings of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting program under the Plan, and the recommendations of the Steering Committee.
Stakeholder and community engagement
Participate in public consultation processes associated with the monitoring, evaluation and reporting program.
Other organisations involved in collecting, analysing or reporting data about NSW forests may be consulted or engaged to assist with delivery of the above responsibilities.
The NSW Forest Monitoring Steering Committee is responsible for overseeing reviews of the Plan. The Steering Committee is comprised of representatives from:
Natural Resources Commission (Chair)
Aboriginal Affairs NSW
Crown Lands
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Energy, Environment & Science Group
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – National Parks & Wildlife Service
Department of Primary Industries
Environment Protection Authority
Forestry Corporation of NSW
Local Land Services
Independent experts in forest management, ecology, hydrology, socio-economic analysis and Aboriginal affairs.