VicForests is seeking input from local community members on the proposed updates to its Timber Release Plan (TRP), relating to timber harvesting operations. Source: Timberbiz
The TRP is part of an ongoing planning process that begins once an area of State forest is identified as suitable for timber harvesting, and continues until the area has been harvested and successfully regrown.
The TRP lists the areas available for timber harvesting over the next 3-5 years, their locations, the type of forest within and the method of harvesting that would be used in each one. VicForests also regrow all harvested areas with the same type of forest that was originally there.
VicForests’ General Manager Stakeholders and Planning, Lachlan Spencer said that the TRP is updated every year.
“Each year we remove areas that have successfully regrown or have been excluded, change the status of areas moving into the growing stage, and add areas previously identified as available for timber harvesting,” Mr Spencer said.
“This year we have removed 394 areas and added around 395 new areas to be considered for future operations over the next five years,” he said.
The amended TRP is publically released every year for a consultation period to allow local community members to have input into the planning processes. The 2017 consultation period will be open from Monday 4 December 2017 to 12 January 2018.
“Forest management in Victoria is an evolving, dynamic process, which requires ongoing planning,” Mr Spencer said.
“Victoria has more than 7 million hectares of publicly-owned native forest, a larger land area than Tasmania, of which VicForests only harvests around 3 000 hectares per year meaning the vast majority of Victoria’s native forests will never be harvested. Nevertheless the area we work in requires detailed preparation and management techniques to plan each operation.
“Prior to any harvesting a thorough multi-layered planning process is undertaken to consider the management of the many environmental and other values present in the forest including biodiversity , social, historical and cultural values, soil and water restraints, species mapping and community consultation.
“We rely on sophisticated planning and surveying techniques, but also public input, to make planning decisions within the context of a changing environment. As we refine our planning, we
often identify issues we may not have been aware of before. Some of these are brought to our attention by members of the public.
“We encourage the community to raise any concerns with us – public consultation is an important part of our process. Listening to the community ensures that we are aware of what is important to them, so that we can incorporate these things into our plans.. We need feedback to be specific to proposed operations so we can take effective action in response,” Mr Spencer said.
Following the TRP Consultation Period, the revised TRP, along with all submissions received, is submitted to the VicForests’ Board of Directors for consideration and approval. These plans must be approved before harvesting commences and all operations are required to comply the detailed regulations which relate to native timber harvesting in Victoria.
A schedule of proposed timber harvesting areas, maps indicating approximate locations and a feedback form for public comment are available at www.vicforests.com.au/Proposedtrp
Submissions can also be provided via email to [email protected] or made in writing to: VicForests, GPO Box 191, Melbourne, 3001 during the specified feedback period.
