Last week the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) coordinated drop-in sessions for members, forest contracting businesses and their crews to get much needed information on the latest updates to the Victorian Forestry Plan and the increased role of the regulator in relation to the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004. Source: Timberbiz
In addition to departmental representatives, the sessions were joined by VicForests team members, the Rural Financial Counselling Service and K J Training and Consulting.
Representatives from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions were there to answer questions relating to the Victorian Forestry Plan, and to provide an update to the process. The team provided updates to the plan including the additional funding announced on December 17, 2021.
Those representing the Conservation Regulator provided an update to the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 which now explicitly references forestry contractors in the Act and includes increased implications for failure to conduct a due diligence approach to harvest activities.
The sessions were well attended in all three locations across Gippsland, Bairnsdale, Traralgon and Marysville.
