Daniel Tuan has been appointed regional manager for Forests NSW Southern Region.
Mr Tuan, a former Forests NSW timber merchandising manager and planning manager for Southern Region, moves into the position after a stint as project manager working on business improvement initiatives across all native forest operations along the coast of New South Wales.
He succeeds Ian Barnes as regional manager, who went on leave pending retirement in January.
Mr Tuan studied at the University of Tasmania and spent 10 years with Forestry Tasmania where he was planning manager in the Huon Valley south of Hobart before joining Forests NSW seven years ago.
“My main interests in forestry for the South Coast are maintaining the forest and timber industry as a viable and valuable contributor to the local community and economy,” Mr Tuan said.
“Forestry industries provide a valuable direct employment role and flow-ons to other goods and service industries.”
“Balancing the sustainable supply of timber with the long-term maintenance of healthy ecosystems is always a challenge but an aim we are also always striving for.”
Mr Tuan said another interest was to work closely with Aboriginal communities to promote opportunities for indigenous use of State forests for cultural and enterprise partnerships.
“The major products from the southern forests will continue to be hardwood sawlogs for mills in Eden, Narooma, Batemans Bay, Braidwood, Milton and Nowra, and for alpine ash in the Tumbarumba area,” Mr Tuan said.
“Added to these staples are the high value products such as poles, piles, veneer, posts and firewood to a range of smaller regional businesses.
“Residues from sawlog operations and thinning in young regrowth to promote better growth of future sawlogs are sold as pulpwood.”
Mr Tuan said the major areas of public interest such as protecting forest and ecological assets from the threat of major wildfires would continue to play an important role in Southern Region Forest NSW operations.
“The southern forests have a history of damaging fire,” Mr Tuan said.
“Regular hazard reduction programs and rapid response to fire outbreaks as undertaken by Forests NSW and sister agencies are major tools in combating the extent and impact of wildfires.
“We work cooperatively with local government and other land management and emergency service agencies to further the hazard reduction program across the landscape.”
Mr Tuan said Forests NSW was charged with providing access to more than 450,000 hectares of State forests in Southern Region for active recreation purposes including picnicking, bushwalking, mountain bike riding, trail bike riding and four wheel drive experiences.
“Coupled with these interests is Forests NSW focus on actively undertaking ecological measurement and monitoring programs to ensure short and long term maintenance of biodiversity,” Mr Tuan said.
“People might not realise the vast mix of interests that we look after in State forests, which include beekeeping, grazing, road access, fire and other emergency access, electricity transmission lines, communications facilities and towers, local government infrastructure and special events.
“We also assist in providing pest animal and plant management services on State forests and adjoining lands.”
Mr Tuan said people on the South Coast with questions about Forest NSW operations should contact their local Forests NSW office.
