Annual Compliance Report 2022: Ecological Thinning Trial in New South Wales River Red Gum Forests

Abstract

This report documents compliance activities and outcomes for the Ecological Thinning Trial conducted in River Red Gum forests within New South Wales national parks during the period of June 2021 to October 2022. The trial, approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 2013/6713), aimed to assess ecological thinning while minimizing impacts on threatened species, migratory species, and wetlands of international importance. Although thinning operations were completed in August 2017, post-thinning monitoring continued according to the approved Experimental Design and Monitoring Plan. The report confirms compliance with all applicable conditions, including protection measures for the superb parrot, management of unplanned impacts, and maintenance of accurate activity records. While flooding caused a four-month delay in data capture and analysis, the Department of Planning and Environment maintained compliance with reporting and public accessibility requirements. No adverse impacts on protected species or ecosystems were recorded during this reporting period, demonstrating successful adherence to environmental management protocols.