Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) has been fined a total of $30,000 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for failing to protect critical habitat in Conglomerate State Forest near Coffs Harbour.
The EPA alleges that FCNSW cut down two hollow-bearing trees in 2023 that were required to be retained and that a pre-harvest habitat search was non-compliant with forestry rules.
NSW EPA Director of Operations, John Forcier, said these two breaches have the potential to cause harm to threatened plants and animals.
"Under the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (CIFOA) FCNSW is required to undertake broad area habitat searches before starting operations to find and protect threatened species, important landscape features and habitat," Mr Forcier said.
"One of the broad area habitat searches completed before harvesting in Compartment 18 of the Forest didn't cover the full area required by the regulations.
"Separately, two hollow-bearing trees that were digitally mapped for retention by FCNSW during pre-harvest searches were cut down during the harvesting operation.
"Hollows can take decades to naturally form and provide a necessary refuge for hollow-dependent species so this unnecessary destruction is not only unlawful under the CIFOA but is also really disappointing to the community.
"As the state's environmental regulator, we will continue to enforce the strict environmental rules in place for native forestry operations and thoroughly investigate alleged breaches of the rules that hold forestry operators to account."
The alleged breaches of section 69SA of the Forestry Act 2012 occurred between August and September 2023 and each attracted a $15,000 fine.
