The annual winter radiata pine planting is underway in state-owned plantations in the Bathurst state electorate, where almost 8000 hectares are being replanted with more than eight million pine seedlings.

The seedlings have recently been dispatched from Forestry Corporation of NSW’s nurseries, creating more than 100 seasonal planting jobs in regional areas.

The re-establishment process is vital to the sustainability of the region’s forestry industry, which is one of the region’s largest full- time employers.

“Without planting these seedlings in our local plantations, we would not have a softwood industry in this state,” Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said.

“I am proud our local communities continue to support the forestry sector across the state and it continues to play an important role in our region.”

There are more than 200,000 hectares of state-owned pine plantations in NSW that produce enough timber to construct a quarter of the homes built in Australia each year.

Each winter, Forestry Corporation re-establishes around 8000 hectares of pine plantations across NSW that have been harvested for timber in recent years to ensure it can continue to supply the community with essential timber and wood products for generations to come.

A Forestry Corporation spokesperson said the pine seedlings being planted at Oberon “will form the frames and trusses for our children’s homes 35 years from now”.