West Australia’s draft Forest Management Plan has been released for public consultation. The Plan covers an area of 2.5 million hectares in the south west of the state stretching from Lancelin to Denmark. Sources: ABC New, Perth Now
The Plan will provide forestry guidelines from 2014 to 2023 and it is now in a 12-week consultation period. Conservation Commission chairman Brian Easton encouraged the community to have their say on the plan during that time.
“There are many pressures on our forests including a drying climate, feral pests and weeds and these all need to be taken into consideration,” Mr Easton said.
“That is why this plan takes a whole of forest management approach.”
Mr Easton said public information sessions would be held on the draft plan in Perth and in the south west in September.
“This will give the community the opportunity to clarify any queries or concerns in regard to the draft plan,” he said.
West Australia’s Environment Minister Bill Marmion said once the public consultation period ended in November, submissions would be analysed and considered in the preparation of a proposed final plan, which would come into force in 2014.
“The Liberal-National Government is committed to conserving our South-West forests while providing for a sustainable native forest timber industry and other productive uses,” Mr Marmion said.
“The draft plan seeks public comment to ensure that an appropriate balance is found for a range of forest uses, the conservation of biological diversity, socio-economic benefits and cultural heritage.”
The Commission says it is based on the principles of ecologically sustainable forest management.
Easton says the draft plan proposes additions to the Whicher National Park near Busselton as well as improvements to logging guidelines including greater protection of marri trees as habitat for black cockatoos, and identifies a range of sustained yields of forest products.
The draft Forest Management Plan 2014-23 is available to download at www.conservation.wa.gov.au
