Tim Johnston
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI), has welcomed the extension of the East Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement as has the Australian Forest Products Association. Source: Timberbiz
The East Gippsland RFA amendment for the extension was signed by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, and the acting Premier of Victoria, the Hon James Merlino MP.
Tim Johnston, CEO of VAFI, said the RFAs provide a level of security and certainty of resource access and supply for the forest, fibre and wood products industry.
“Only with certainty, does the industry have the confidence to be able to make investment and product development decisions,” he said.
The RFAs intent is to balance the economic, social and environmental demands on our forests by setting obligations and commitments for forest management.
“VAFI has always been a strong supporter of the RFA process and its regional and all-inclusive approach to environmental, social and commercial forest asset interests.
“I look forward to working with governments on the RFA renewal process to ensure it is a system that underpins a vibrant and sustainable industry,” Mr Johnston said.
The forest, fibre and wood products industry is the lifeblood of many rural and regional communities across Victoria, directly employing 21,000 Victorians and supporting another 40,000 to 50,000 local jobs, many of these in regional Victoria.
The industry produces a wide range of product types from high quality appearance and structural grade timbers through to fine quality paper, bringing in more than $7 billion in sales and service income annually for Victoria.
Timber harvesting in Victorian native forests is highly regulated, highly restricted, and carefully managed to take into account the environmental, social, cultural and economic values of the forest.
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) also welcomed the joint Federal and Victorian Governments’ extension of the East Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement (RFA).
AFPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ross Hampton said the joint announcement recognised the importance of the national RFA framework, which strikes the right balance between economic, environmental and social considerations for the sustainable management of Australia’s forests.
“Nationally the forest products industry directly employs around 120,000 people along the industry value chain – most of which are in regional communities – with a further 180,000 jobs supported through flow-on economic activity,” Mr Hampton said.
“The RFA framework ensures best practice environmental standards flourish, while providing a level of certainty of resource supply to industry that underpins investment, supports innovation and creates jobs.”
AFPA expects that the 13-month extension to the East Gippsland RFA is a one-off delay in the RFA framework renewal process, with all 10 RFAs around Australia expiring within the next three years.
Mr Hampton said industry will continue to work with the Federal and State Governments to ensure that the RFA framework continues to deliver on all its objectives.
“While the short-term extension is welcome, it is vital that we see a 20-year extension across all RFAs without further delays to provide the certainty of resource supply necessary for industry to remain competitive, encourage investment and innovation, and underpin jobs.”
