Cypress - A Regional Resource

MANAGING FORESTS SUSTAINABLY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

The Cypress resource which supports the NSW Cypress sawmilling industry are native forests occurring on the western slopes and plains in a discontinuous belt from the Riverina in the south to the Queensland border. The value of Cypress as a timber producing species was soon recognised by the early European settlers and consequently was used throughout western NSW for the building of homesteads, shearing sheds and other farm buildings. It was also extensively used in the construction of houses and commercial buildings in the growing towns and villages. The potential of these forests to supply timber for future generations was also acknowledged and this resulted in the reservation by the government of the day of extensive areas which would otherwise have been cleared for agriculture.

Subsequent to the gazettal of the Forestry Act in 1916, many of these reserves were formally dedicated as State forest. Cypress was one of the first forest types in the State to benefit from the introduction of professional forest management. The forests were assessed to measure standing volume and to determine sustained yields, harvesting was regulated and silviculture practices were introduced to enhance growth rates. The forests were also protected from damage by fire.

Decades of responsible management by Forests NSW in partnership with the sawmilling industry has not only ensured that timber resources have been conserved for the future but the forests now contain a very diverse range of wildlife habitat and play a major role in catchment protection in a region largely cleared for agriculture.

The Cypress sawmilling industry has been long established in western NSW and has played an integral part in the development of the region. In earlier times, a myriad of small mills were located in and around the forest areas, however in more recent years, there has been considerable rationalisation within the industry. Nevertheless many of the players are family companies that have been part of the industry for two and three generations.

CERTAINTY LEADS TO INVESTMENT AND INCREASED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Greater certainty of access to timber resources for the NSW Cypress industry will have significant benefits for the State and regional economies. The NSW Cypress Industry generates around $60 million for the NSW economy and employs around 260 people directly.

The industry has estimated that the provision of resource security through long term wood agreements would result in the investment of $16 million and growth in employment to around 320 over the next ten years.

This has flow on effects, not just to the direct industry participants, but also to the broader community as this level of investment in small rural communities and towns is of major economic significance.

Certainty relates not just to the resource policy, but flows through to the marketing strategies of the sawmillers, employment and training opportunities and ongoing resource management.

REGIONAL POTENTIAL

The vision for the Cypress Industry focuses on the continued development of regionally based mills, but with increasing specialisation. This will maximise the value of this relatively small, but important and renewable natural resource.

The Cypress industry provides many benefits to regional communities by contributing to economic growth and stable employment opportunities. In a number of the towns in which Cypress mills are located they are often the major private sector employer.

The Cypress Industry makes a major contribution to regional economies that are often dependent on agriculture and thus, impacted by commodity price cycles and climatic conditions. The Cypress industry is not impacted by these fluctuations and thus, can provide a degree of protection to regional economies in times of drought and/or low commodity prices.

Continued industry development as envisaged will see all saw milling communities benefit as the mills capitalize on their regional and business competitive advantages.

AN INTEGRAL PART OF COMMUNITIES

The Cypress industry has over history been integral to the regional communities in which they are based. These businesses not only provided employment and generate economic value, but have brought much needed diversification to what are primarily agricultural based regions. The impact of the industry is felt beyond its economic benefits as the mill owners and their employees live in these rural communities play a part in local business, sporting and social activities.