The New South Wales government won’t proceed with privatising Forestry Corporation’s softwood plantation business after an unprecedented bushfire season. The government decided to forgo a long-term lease of the business after a five-month investigation which took into account recent damage to the state’s forestry assets. About 25% of Forestry Corporation’s softwood division suffered fire damage over the summer. NSW deputy premier John Barilaro said the government’s priority was to help the forestry industry get back on its feet. “Regrowing our forests, getting new trees in the ground, and strengthening the industry so its long-term future is secure is where we are focusing our energy,” Barilaro said in a statement on Thursday. The decision comes after Guardian Australia revealed in December the NSW government was poised to privatise state forests to raise $1bn for infrastructure projects.