Forests NSW southern regional manager Ian Barnes said an exclusion area will again be implemented over the two forest compartments being harvested, mainly for safety reasons.

“The exclusion zone would apply in the harvest area west of Bermagui township,” he said.

“Harvesting commenced in these areas in October last year and the operation has already yielded a substantial

volume of high quality sawlogs and other logs to sustain the region’s timber industry.

“Logging is likely to continue for several more weeks, during which the area being logged will remain closed.”

Conservationists meanwhile had taken opportunity during the break in harvesting to inspect the logging activity in the Bermagui State Forest.

Representatives from South East Forest Rescue planned to submit a report to the State Department of Environment on the buffer zones between logging and remnant rainforest areas and whether the buffers were of sufficient size as prescribed by the logging conditions.

No immediate plans at Wapengo

Meanwhile, there has been community concern about the possible logging of water catchment feeding the Wapengo and Murrah waterways south of Bermagui.

Oyster growers and conservationists voiced their concern to the ABC radio last month about the potential impact on these estuary systems.

But according to Forestry NSW, there are no immediate plans for harvest at Mumbulla Mountain.

A spokesman said community consultation was always an important part of any Forests NSW harvest.

This involves engaging the local community, stakeholder groups, neighbours and others and the consultation process begins well ahead of any planned harvest, he said.