The Australian and NSW Governments have invited public submissions on the Report on progress with implementation of the New South Wales Regional Forest Agreements: Second and third five‑yearly reviews July 2004 – June 2014. Source: Timberbiz
The review outlines progress towards implementing the milestones, commitments and obligations of the three Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs).
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, re-affirmed that the Australian Government remains strongly committed to the native forest timber industry.
“RFAs are the best mechanism to balance competing economic, social and environmental demands on native forests. We are committed to keeping that balance,” Minister Ruston said.
“The NSW forestry and wood products manufacturing industry directly employs more than 22,300 people and is integral to the economies of a number of regional NSW communities.”
NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton, said the review of the NSW RFAs provides the public with the opportunity to have their say on the three NSW RFAs.
“The review is a critical step towards ensuring the NSW RFAs strike the right the balance for NSW,” Minister Upton said.
“The review will be used to improve and modernise the RFAs to ensure they meet the needs of the environment, communities and industry beyond their current expiry from 2019.”
The RFAs established a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system in NSW. When the RFAs were signed, 1.334 million hectares of forest were added to the reserve estate—an increase of 62%.
They are providing resource security for the forest industry and the delivery of ecologically sustainable forest management.
Public submissions must be received no later than 5pm on 23 February 2018.
More information is available at:
