The NSW government has shifted some of regulatory oversight for native forestry on private land away from the Environment Protection Authority, a move that could weaken protections for forests.

The government has gazetted the transfer from April 30 of authority for private native forestry to Local Land Services (LLS), an agency under the Department of Primary Industries.

Last August, the government introduced the biggest changes to native vegetation laws in the state in more than two decades.

LLS will be responsible for managing approvals and providing advice to landholders as part of efforts to make it “a one-stop shop for a range of essential services for those on the land", the Minister for Lands and Forestry, Paul Toole, said.

“Private native forestry makes a substantial contribution to the supply mix for the NSW native timber sector and plays an important role in our vision for the NSW forestry industry,” he said.