Annual Compliance Report 2021: Ecological Thinning Trial in New South Wales River Red Gum Forests

Abstract

This report documents compliance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) conditions for ecological thinning trials in River Red Gum forests of southern New South Wales during June 2020-2021. The post-thinning monitoring phase continued following the completion of thinning operations in August 2017. The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment demonstrated full compliance across all applicable conditions, including minimizing impacts on threatened species, migratory species, and wetlands of international importance. No adverse impacts were recorded during the reporting period. The report confirms adherence to monitoring and reporting requirements, maintenance of accurate activity records, and proper public accessibility of compliance documentation. This ongoing compliance assessment represents part of a broader five-year monitoring program following the ecological thinning intervention, with results made available through established departmental research platforms. The findings indicate successful implementation of environmental management protocols and experimental design parameters as outlined in the original Public Environment Report.