Riverina red gum IFOA

In 2010, the National Park Estate (Riverina Red Gum Reservations) Act 2010 came into effect, establishing more than 100,000 hectares of river red gum parks in the Riverina while providing certainty for timber operations and timber-dependent communities in the region. Timber harvesting was able to continue in the Koondrook, Campbell's Island and Perricoota state forests and in parts of the western land leases.

To find out more about the NSW Government's Riverina Red Gum decision, visit River Red Gum at environment.nsw.gov.au.

Current version incorporating amendments

The Integrated Forestry Operations Approval for Riverina Red Gum (PDF 2.2MB) commenced on 1 January 2011 and has effect up to and including 31 December 2030. Note this is a compiled working document which incorporates amendments and is not an official consolidation. 
Note: this version does not include Amendment 8 (PDF 874KB), which commenced in June 2024. A consolidated version of the Riverina Red Gum Integrated Forestry Operations Approval, including amendment 8, will be available on the website shortly.  

Statement of Reasons

Amendment No. 8 to the Integrated Forestry Operations Approval for Riverina Red Gum

Reasons for amendments

This instrument includes amendments to the Integrated Forestry Operations Approval (IFOA) for the Riverina Red Gum Region.

This amendment is to allow for the continuation of early thinning operations at existing volumes from 1 July 2024 until 31 December 2030 on a pro rata basis, retaining two standalone residue volume caps.

Extension related to early thinning operations

The amendment maintains the existing timber residue supply for industry. During this period, the long-term sustainable volume of all timber products in red gum State forests will be independently assessed as part of a review of the Western IFOAs, including the Riverina Red Gum IFOA. If this amendment was not made, early thinning operations would not have been permitted after 30 June 2024.

The amendment is consistent with principles of ecologically sustainable forest management given it continues existing IFOA requirements, is complemented by a range of biodiversity protections set by the IFOA, provides for management practices that are considered to improve the long-term productive capacity and health of the forests, and provides for ongoing economic benefits for the Riverina region and timber industry.