This region includes the Cessnock and Wyong MAs and can be described as the Morisset Forestry District.
The Morriset Forestry District represents an important zone of environmental transition between the warm moist environments of the north coast and the cooler coastal influences of the south. Consequently, a number of important species and communities are found at the limits of their range. These species tend to occur in habitats in moister forest communities which are not prevalent in the current reserve system in the central study area. Some of these communities have been heavily cleared from areas now dominated by agricultural and urban land use on the Hunter Valley, central coast and Cumberland plain.
The timber industry is characterised by a small number of sawmills with small to moderate sawlog allocations, but which are very dependent on a few species which provide high quality timber. These include blackbutt, blue-leafed stringybark and spotted gum. One handle manufacturer is wholly dependent on spotted gum logs as the raw material for manufacture.
Because of their close proximity to Sydney and Newcastle, the forests have been logged and treated over a very long period, with virtually all areas suitable for harvest having been logged a number of times. Eucalypt plantations have been established where site quality and topography are suitable.
Recreational use of these forests is extremely high and facilities have been established to cater for the large number of visitors.
The base supply level with all State forests available for harvesting in this district is 104% of 1995 quota sawlog allocations. The base supply levels were not affected by identified wilderness as such boundaries existing within national park estate.
It is acknowledged that the data set for the Central Negotiation Region was particularly limited in comparison to other negotiation regions.
This outcome provides for a sustained yield capable of supplying 47% of 1995 quota sawlog allocations based on the Wood Resources Model with 61 568 ha of State forest unavailable for logging.
The Conservation Criteria Outcome was adopted as the outcome for approximately 30% of 1995 quota sawlog allocations.
This outcome provides for a sustained yield capable of supplying 56% of 1995 quota sawlog allocations based on the Wood Resources Model with 58 920 ha of State forest unavailable for logging.
This outcome provides for a sustained yield capable of supplying 68% of 1995 quota sawlog allocations based on the Wood Resources Model with 45 164 ha of State forest unavailable for logging.
Compartments in Jellore, Belangalo, Bangadilly, Keverstone and Kembla State Forests in Moss Vale Management Area are deferred from harvesting (except for pine plantations).