$60,000 penalty to Forestry Corp NSW for Mogo State Forest Water Pollution

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued two penalty notices totalling $60,000 to Forestry Corp NSW (FCNSW) in response to continuing concerns about water pollution in Mogo State Forest.

In February 2025, EPA officers commenced a series of inspections at a crossing on Dooga Creek in Mogo State Forest used to move machinery between the eastern and western sides of a logging compartment within the forest. 

The inspections revealed that the crossing was not constructed in accordance with established best practice and sediment eroded from the crossing has moved into the Creek.

NSW EPA Director of Operations Greg Sheehy said that despite being issued with a clean-up notice requiring improvements to be made, FCNSW has not completed this work and there is an ongoing risk to water quality and aquatic habitat.

“The crossing concerned is located in a designated Environmentally Significant Area and Dooga Creek supports important freshwater and coastal habitats,” Mr Sheehy said.

“While EPA inspections to date show the spread of sediment into the creek is limited, the ongoing failure to comply with the clean-up notice presents a clear and foreseeable risk of pollution as the crossing is progressively degraded.

“We expect FCNSW to implement and maintain the required erosion and sediment controls and will continue to monitor activities in Mogo State Forest until all practicable steps have been taken to prevent pollution of waters in this environmentally sensitive area.”

In addition to the penalty notices, the EPA has also issued an official caution for a further alleged failure to comply with a Clean‑Up Notice.