The papers are not draft RFAs, but aim to help focus public discussion. They are based on comprehensive regional assessments on the two regions released last year, and discuss the implications of a possible increase in native forest reserves.
Victoria's Minister for the Environment and Conservation, Ms Sherryl Garbutt, said the consultation papers did not represent a preferred position of either the State or Federal Government. "Governments will develop the final agreement only after considering public feedback," she said.
Industry and the public will have seven weeks in which to comment on the proposals. The consultation period will culminate in a series of public hearings in the two regions, where independent panels will hear submissions.
The panels will report community views directly to the joint Commonwealth-Victorian RFA steering committee for consideration in the development of the final RFAs, which are scheduled to be completed on 31 March. They will be valid for 20 years but reviewed every five years.
The RFAs aim to find a balance in the use of native hardwood forests between the demands of conservation and industry. Their three main objectives are: the development of a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system; ecologically sustainable forest management; and job creation in forest-based industries, including tourism, mining and an internationally competitive timber industry.
The criteria for the CAR system are to reserve 15 per cent of each forest type as existed before European arrival, 60 per cent or more of old-growth forest and at least 90 per cent of high-quality wilderness. A statewide assessment by Professor Ian Ferguson has found that Victoria has all the elements in place for ecologically sustainable forest management, although "there is still considerable scope for further improvement". The consultation papers said this assessment was applicable to both West Victoria and Gippland.
Sustainable yield, as defined in Victorian legislation, will be determined when the Department of Natural Resources and Environment holds its next formal review after the RFAs are completed.
The consultation papers said that, due to the long term nature and capital intensity of forest investment, the timber industry needed resource security to become more internationally competitive. The papers said the 15-year sawlog licensing in 1987 had created confidence and had led to more investment and value-adding statewide. This had increased production of kiln-dried timber and the recovery of lower grade logs, which in turn had required a larger and more skilled workforce, new markets in Victoria, interstate and overseas, and new products.
When the RFAs are completed, the Commonwealth will remove export controls on unprocessed native hardwood, which is mainly woodchips.
The closing date for written submissions to the independent panels are 25 February. Those who want to take part in the public hearing process should lodge preliminary submissions with the panel by 18 February at PO Box 502, East Melbourne 3002.
The consultation papers are available from regional offices of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the head office in Melbourne (tel 9637 8325), or at www.rfa.gov.au