VicForests is extending the feedback period on the proposed changes to its Timber Release Plan and says the extension has been granted because of difficulties experienced by stakeholders opening web links to online information. Source: Timberbiz
The public consultation period has been extended until 5pm, 21 July to enable comment on the proposed TRP change by affected and interested parties and stakeholders.
If you experience any difficulties opening the web links provided, please email VicForests at [email protected]
The amendment to the TRP proposes an additional 59 new coupes in the Benalla-Mansfield, North-East and Tambo Forest Management Areas.
Feedback on these changes and the new format of the TRP is sought in accordance with the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 and will be considered prior to the reviewed TRP being submitted to the VicForests Board for approval.
As part of this consultation process, coupes are proposed to be added to the TRP to ensure VicForests has flexibility to meet its contractual commitments to customers, contractors, and licensees.
These proposed coupes are all in fire affected areas and have been prioritised as they contain areas of fire-killed Ash forest.
Any harvesting of these areas would be done in compliance with the fire salvage harvesting requirements contained within the Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests (2014) as well as VicForests’ own adaptive management procedures.
In doing so, VicForests’ adaptive management approach to harvesting provides for the protection of habitat and forest regeneration.
A schedule of the proposed TRP change, including an interactive map, is available at www.vicforests.com.au/planning-1/timber-release-plan-1/proposedtrp
Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback to [email protected] by 5pm Tuesday 21 July 2020.
