Download 170328 VAFI FFG Act review v3

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ReviewoftheFloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct(1988)
March2017
Executivesummary
TheVictorianAssociationofForestIndustries(VAFI)appreciatestheopportunitytocommenton
theConsultationPaperoftheReviewoftheFloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct1988.InVictoria,the
Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 mandates compliance with the Flora and Fauna
Guarantee(FFG)ActActionStatements.Consequently,FFGActimplementationiswellintegrated
into forestry planning, management and harvesting and the proposed focus of future
implementation at the landscape scale has the potential to fit well with existing planning
processes.
Substantial and ongoing species protection measures and landscape benefits are already
providedbyforestmanagement.Theforest,fibreandwoodproductsindustryhasthepotential
tocontributetofuturestrategiesifthereisaguaranteedsupplyoftimberresource.VAFIdoes
not, therefore, support any actions that will reduce the area of productive forest in Victoria.
Speciesconservationactionsshouldbalancespeciesneedswithachievingavibrantforest,fibre
andwoodproductsindustrygroundedinsustainableforestmanagement.Therefore,weurgethe
government to consider landscape-scale strategies that allow forest managers to promote
biodiversityvaluesalongsidesustainablesilvicultureandtimberharvesting.
VAFIsupportsaconsistentandtransparentlistingprocessesforthreatenedspeciesthatallows
extensivepublicinput.However,thefocusofthelistingprocessshouldbeatthestatelevel,and
controlofthelistingprocessshouldberetainedbyVictorianagencies.
Theconceptofdamagetocriticalhabitathaspotentiallyextensiveandcontinuingimplications
for forest management. Criteria for defining both “critical habitat” and “damage” should be
developedincollaborationwithlandmanagersandotherstakeholders.
A new legislative framework should not create new administrative barriers to current
managementoperationsinStateforests,specificallyVAFIhasconcernsregarding:
o PublicAuthorityManagementAgreements,and
o Obligationstodocumentanddemonstratecompliance.
Thereshouldbecomprehensivetransitionplanningtoanynewframework,informedbyin-depth
consultation with industry to minimise the impact to industry of new regulations or policy
approaches.
AbouttheVictorianforest,fibreandwoodproductsindustry
Theforest,fibreandwoodproductsindustryisavitalindustryforVictoriaandakeycontributor
tothestate’seconomy.TheindustryisamajordriverofeconomicactivityandjobsinVictoria,
generating$7billioninsalesandserviceincomeannually.1Muchoftheincomegeneratedbythe
industryremainsinlocalcommunities,particularlysoinruralandregionalVictoria.
Throughoutthestate,theindustrydirectlyemploysapproximately21,000people.Around90%
ofthesedirectlyemployedworkersareinprimaryandsecondaryprocessingroles;essentially
timber manufacturing applications, such as appearance product manufacturers, furniture
manufacturers,andtimberfabricators.
Indirectly,theindustryalsosupportsafurther40,000to50,000jobsthroughflowoneconomic
activity. This includes value-adding roles, such as the nearly 10,000 people who work making
timberfurniture,cabinetryandinjoinerymanufacturing.2
ForVictoria’sindustrytobestpositionitselftomeetfuturemarketdemand,bothnationallyand
internationally,thereisanimmediateandongoingneedforconsistentpolicysettings,atthelocal,
stateandnationallevels.Forestryisalong-termbusinessandneedsthesecurityofalong-term
vision to be a strong, viable and sustainable industry. Security of resource is paramount for a
successfulindustryinshort,mediumandlong-term.
AboutVAFI
VAFIisthepeakrepresentativebodyfortheVictorianforest,fibreandwoodproductsindustry.
VAFIrepresentstheentirelifecycleofforestryandwoodproducts,includingforestownersand
growers,harvestandhaulbusinesses,woodandpaperprocessors,manufacturersandassociated
businessesacrossboththenativeforestandplantationssectors.Wesupportandencouragebest
practiceinindustryandforestmanagement.
Thelong-termvisionfortheforest,fibreandwoodproductsindustryinVictoriaisthatofgrowth,
stability and sustainability. The forest, fibre and wood products industry is a 21st century
employerandwealthgenerator.Itisasunrise,notasunsetindustry.Whattheindustryneeds
from all levels of government – national, state and local - is clarity and consistency in policy
positionsanddecisionsthatsupportthelong-termfutureoftheforest,fibreandwoodproducts
industry.
1ABS(2016)8155.0AustralianIndustry,2014-15
2Schirmer,J(2010)Socio-economiccharacteristicsofVictoria’sforestryindustries
Introduction
InVictoria,forestmanagementandharvestingoperationsmustcomplywiththeFloraandFauna
GuaranteeAct1988(FFGAct).Forestgrowers,managersandharvestersaregovernedbytheCode
ofPracticeforTimberProduction2014(TheCodeofPractice)whichstatesthat:
“Themanagementstandardsandproceduresareinformedbyrelevantpolicydocumentsincluding
policiesrelatingtospecificforestvaluessuchasthreatenedspecies,guidelinesandstrategieswithin
forestmanagementplansmadeundertheForestAct1958andActionStatementsmadeunderthe
FloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct1988.”
Action Statements prepared under the FFG Act are relevant to forestry operations at several
levels. They cover numerous individual species, ecological communities and potentially
threateningprocesses.MostdecisionmakersarenotrequiredtoconsiderActionStatementsin
their management processes. However, the compliance requirement created by the Code of
PracticehasbeenreflectednotonlyinmandatoryManagementStandardsandProcedures3,but
also in forest management planning and zoning undertaken by VicForests – the agency
responsibleformanagingVictorianStateforests–anditscontractors.
Stateforestzonesareclassified4asfollows:
o General Management Zone (GMZ): managed for a range of uses and values, but timber
harvestingoperationswillhaveahighpriority
o SpecialManagementZone(SMZ):managedtoconservespecificfeatures,whilecatering
for timber harvesting operations under special conditions that are set out in a specific
plan.
o Special Protection Zone (SPZ): managed for particular conservation values (e.g.
protectingthreatenedspecies),forminganetworkdesignedtocomplementtheformal
conservationreservesystem.Timberharvestingoperationsareexcluded.
TheareawheretimberislegallyavailableforharvestingismadeupfromGMZandSMZareas
whichconstitutea verysmallfractionofVictoria’stotalnativeforest area.5Areasclassifiedas
‘reserved’areforestswithinSPZs,andotherexclusionssuchasriparianbuffersandsteepslopes.
Thelegalandmoralobligationstoprotectandmaintainenvironmentalvaluesaretakenseriously
bytheforest,fibreandwoodproductsindustry.AstheConsultationPaperrightlynotes,thisisan
areawherethecurrentapproachtoimplementingtheFFGActhasworkedwell.6VAFI’sposition
isthatanyproposedchangestothestructureorimplementationoftheFFGActshouldrecognise
thesubstantiallandscapemanagementcontributionsoftheindustryandshouldnotcreatenew
barriers to operation. Future strategies and regulations should seek to maintain the balance
betweenforestconservationandsustainablemanagementandharvesting.
ManagementStandardsandproceduresfortimberharvestingoperationsinVictoria’sStateforests2014
VicForestsProceduresRegulatoryHandbook2016
5VicForestsAreaStatement2014
6ConsultationPaperp25
3
4
Landscapescaleapproaches
TheConsultationPaperproposesarequirementforalandscapeorarea-basedresponsetothe
Biodiversity Plan (Table 12 Potential Improvement 5). VAFI recognises the value in creating
greater efficiency of action by transitioning from focusing on localised individual species to a
broadlandscapeapproach.
Toalargeextent,thisapproachisalreadyemployedbyVicForests,whoassesstherequirements
of multiple Action Statements to implement coordinated planning and management of State
forests to protect species listed under the FFG Act. These considerations are reflected in the
creationandmaintenanceofSMZsandSPZs.
InadditiontoabidingbyActionStatements,Victorianforestmanagersarelegallyobligedbythe
Code of Practice to protect ecosystem structures and functions. There is a suite of mandatory
actionstomaintainenvironmentalvaluesandminimiseimpactsonculturalvaluesandthevisual
landscape.Theseactionsinclude:
o Managingharvestedforesttoperpetuatebiodiversityvalues;
o Regeneratingharvestedareasusingseedsourceswithprovenancetothearea;
o Maintainingspeciescompositionandrepresentativegenepools;
o Monitoringandmaintainingforesthealth(e.g.weedandpestcontrol);
o Measurestoprotectallunharvestedareasfromtheimpactsofunplannedfires;
o Protectingwaterwaysandriparianhabitatusingbuffersandfilterstrips;
o Minimisingwaterpollution;and,
o Maintainingtheproductivecapacityofsoils.
AprevioussubmissionfromVAFItothedraftVictorianBiodiversityPlanto2036(May2016)
outlined the numerous ways that sustainable forestry can maintain and improve biodiversity
values across the state (see Appendix 1). These include innovative, multi-aged silvicultural
systems, applied to low-yielding mixed species forests. In the long-term, these harvesting
approaches can attain commercial returns while maintaining a mixed-age forest, where key
biodiversityvaluesareretainedorcanquicklyrecovertopre-harvestlevels.
Establishingnewplantationsofnativetreespeciesonprivatepropertyshouldalsobeencouraged
instrategicbiodiversityplanning.Reforestationofnativespeciesmanagedforharvestingdeliver
landscapescalebiodiversitybenefits.7Forexample,convertingpasturetoEucalyptplantations
canprotectadjoiningremnantpatchesofnativevegetationbypreventingimpactsatthepatch
edgeandprovidingmovementcorridorsbetweenpatches.
VAFIsupportstheoverarchingprincipleofanefficientapproachtothreatenedspeciesprotection
using a landscape-scale planning approach. We wish to highlight the significant landscape
management already undertaken by the forest, fibre and wood products industry and the
potentialforsignificantfurtherbenefitsiftheindustryis enabledtodevelopitsroleasaland
manager.
CooperativeResearchCentreforForestry(2011)TechnicalReport215,Biodiversityoutcomesfromeucalyptplantationexpansion
intoagriculturallandscapesofsouthernAustralia:Areview
7
The industry has substantial landscape experience and resources to offer to biodiversity
managementstrategies.However,reducingthelevelofresourceavailableisdetrimentaltothe
industry and inhibits the potential for investment and innovation. Better outcomes would be
achieved if landscape scale strategies maintained the harvestable area in State forests while
encouragingnewplantingonbothpublicandprivatelandtoaugmentsupplytoindustry.Active
andinnovativeapproachestoimprovingbiodiversitycanbedevelopedincollaborationwiththe
forest, fibre and wood products industry, and should be considered in preference to simply
reducingtheareaofStateforestcurrentlyavailablefortimberharvesting.
VAFIdoesnotsupportanystrategicresponsetotheBiodiversityPlanthatresultsinanet
reductiontotheareaofStateforestavailableandsuitableforharvesting.Werecommend
that future landscape scale responses to the Biodiversity Plan should fully examine the
existingandpotentiallandscape-scalebenefitsofferedby:
o SustainablesilvicultureandharvestinginStateforests,
o SMZsandSPZsinStateforests,
o Theroleofsilvicultureinrehabilitatingdegradedforests,and
o Increasingtheareaofnativeplantationforharvestingonprivateland.
Listingthreatenedspeciesandcommunities
TheConsultationPaperproposesthatVictoriaadopttheCommonAssessmentMethod(CAM)to
align with national (Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and
international(IUCN)threatenedspecieslistingsprocesses(Table13,ProposedImprovement1).
VAFI supports consistency and clarity in the threatened species listing process at all levels.
However,theCAMincludes“thecapacitytoadoptassessmentsmadebyotherjurisdictionsthatare
relevanttoVictoria”.
VAFIdoesnotsupportthisaspectoftheproposalbecauseofthepotentialtoremovetransparency
and undermine the credibility of the of the Victorian assessment process. No further detail is
givenontheproposedprocedureforadoptingassessmentsfromoutsidejurisdictions,oronhow
differing assessments will be reconciled. However, assessments made by non-governmental
agencies (e.g. the IUCN) should not be used without full and transparent evaluation by the
ScientificAdvisoryCouncil(SAC)andpublicinput.
Control of the listing assessment process must remain with Victorian authorities. To maintain
credibility, transparency and meaningful stakeholder engagement, new species assessments
usingtheCAM,mustbecompletelyindependentofpreviousassessmentscarriedoutbyother
agencies.
Withregardtoinvestigatingcriteriafordefiningthreatenedcommunities(Table13,Proposed
Improvement 3), he IUCN criteria for ecosystem assessment8, introduced in 2013, are
problematicandopentohighlysubjectiveinterpretation.Theassessmentguidelineshavebeen
Keith,DA,Rodrı´guez,JP,Rodrı´guez-Clark,KM,Nicholson,E,Aapala,K,etal.(2013)ScientificFoundationsforanIUCNRedListof
Ecosystems.PLoSONE8(5):e62111.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062111
8
subject to extensive criticism, which identified operational and conceptual weaknesses in the
approachandhighlightedthelackofscientificbasisforcategoriesandthresholds.9
VAFI supports retaining full control of the threatened species listing process (data
gathering, assessment and stakeholder engagement etc.) by Victorian agencies. If CAM
criteriaforthreatenedspeciesisimplemented,itwouldthereforenotbeappropriateto
adoptassessmentsfromoutsidejurisdictions.VAFIalsodoesnotsupporttheuseofIUCN
assessmentcriteriaforecosystems.
CriticalHabitat
TheConsultationPaperproposesreplacingpermitsfortakingprotectedfloraandfaunawitha
permitforactivitiesthatwould‘damage’thecriticalhabitat(Table14ProposedImprovement3).
VAFI supports the protection and maintenance of important forest habitat and notes that
protectionmeasuresarealreadyusedbyforestmanagers(e.g.SMZandSPZs,protectionofvery
largeortalltreesetc).
Broadeningthedefinitionofcriticalhabitathasthepotentialtoimpactonforestmanagement
and harvesting, if areas of State forest are deemed to be “critical” under new criteria.
Furthermore,theconceptof“damage”toanecosystemisnotdefinedintheConsultationPaper.
Ecosystems function at multiple spatial and temporal scales and assessment of potentially
damagingactivitiesshouldaccountfortheabilityofanecosystemtoregeneratefollowingsmall
scaledisturbanceswhilemaintainingfunctionatthelandscapescale.
Thediscussionofcriticalhabitatsproposesthat“Mapsofpotentialcriticalhabitatareaswouldbe
testedandimprovedthroughconsultationwithlandowners,theScientificAdvisoryCommitteeand
thecommunity.Thisprocesswouldinformfinaldeclarationsofcriticalhabitat.”
Giventhecomplexityoftheconceptsunderdiscussion,VAFI’spositionisthatitwouldbemore
appropriate to engage stakeholders from the start of the process and develop the necessary
definitions in a collaborative manner. This approach would allow the full implications of the
proposedpermitprocesstobefullyevaluated.
VAFI recommends, therefore, that DELWP engage in full and transparent stakeholder
collaborationtoagreecriteriafor:
o Definingcriticalhabitat,and
o Theconceptof‘damage’tohabitat.
Boitani,L,Mace,GM&Rondinini,C(2014)ChallengingthescientificfoundationsforanIUCNRedListofEcosystems.Conservation
Letters.doi:10.1111/conl.12111
9
Administrativebarrierstoforestmanagementandharvestingoperations
The Consultation Paper recognises that implementation of the FFG Act is currently well
integrated into forestry operations and planning. However, this integration is not noted
elsewhere in the paper. There are several proposed improvements that, if applied to forest
management and harvesting operations, would duplicate existing governance and regulations
withlittleadditionalbenefit.VAFIurgesDELWPtoconsiderhowalltheproposedimprovements
mightacttoreplicatetheCodeofPracticeandadjusttheimplementationaccordingly.Belowwe
outlinesomeofthekeyissues.
PublicAuthorityManagementAgreements(Table10,ProposedImprovement4)
TheproposaltobroadenthescopeofPublicAuthorityManagementAgreements(PAMA)makes
specific mention of forestry, regarding guidance on managing threatened species. As detailed
above,therearewellestablishedandsatisfactoryproceduresformanagingandprotectingasuite
of environmental values. Mandatory Management Standards provide detailed guidance for
maintainingenvironmentalsustainabilityandbiodiversity,andActionStatementobligationsare
metthroughforestzoningandoperationalplanning.Additionalguidancedevelopedthrougha
PAMAhasthepotentialtogenerateanewstreamofadministrativeobligationswithoutcreating
additionaloutcomesforthreatenedspeciesorforestbiodiversity.
VAFIrequeststhatDELWPpublishadetailedproposalfornewfunctionsofPAMAswhich
is subject to consultation with land managers on both public and private land. VAFI
recognisesthevalueofclearguidelinesonbiodiversitymanagementbutdoesnotsupport
theintroductionofanewsystemforforestryinadditiontoexistingregulations.
Complianceandenforcement(Section4.4.3)
Forest management and harvesting operations are already legally required to by the Code of
Practice to abide by FFG Act Action Statements and compliance and enforcement mechanisms
alreadyexistforthis.
VAFIadvisesthatnewcompliancerequirementsarenotneededandwouldcreateextra
administrative burden to the sector. Any proposed changes should not be applicable to
forestmanagementactivities.
Transitionplanning
Asdescribedabove,theinstrumentsoftheFFGActarefullyintegratedintoforestmanagement
atalllevelsfromplanningtoharvestingoperations.Accordingly,environmentalobligationsand
mandatoryoperationalpracticesarewellunderstoodbyforestmanagersandcontractors.There
is, therefore, a risk that new instruments, processes or legal requirements will be highly
disruptivetotheindustry,evenwherethefinaloutcomesaresimilartothosebeingreplaced.
The Consultation Paper does not discuss the process for moving to new arrangements or
frameworks.Therefore,thissubmissionnotestherisksofassociatedwithinsufficienttransition
planning.Theseinclude:
o Inconsistentimplementationofnewframeworks;
o Lossofproduction;and
o Unintendednon-compliancewithnewinstruments.
VAFI recommends that DELWP collaborate with forest managers and other industry
representativestoestablishanagreedplanfortransitiontoanynewarrangementsover
anappropriatetimescale.
APPENDIX 1: VAFI submission to Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2036,
May2016
Executivesummary
VAFI appreciates the opportunity to contribute to consultation on Protecting Victoria’s
Environment–Biodiversity2036(theBiodiversityPlan).Inthissubmission,weofferinputonhow
theVictorianforestandwoodproductsindustrycanmakesignificantcontributionstotheaims
oftheplan.
ForestsprovideawiderangeofecosystembenefitstoallVictorians,includingarenewableand
locallyproducedresourceintheformofwoodandwoodproducts.Theforestandwoodproducts
industry employs modern sustainable forest management and harvesting to maintain and
enhancethefullrangeofecosystembenefitsderivedfromforests.Thesebenefitsinclude:
o Sustainablewoodproducts.
o Maintainedecosystemstructureandfunctioninnativeforests.
o Protectedbiodiversity.
o Fireriskreduction.
o Increasedcarbonsequestration.
o Greaterwateryieldsfromcatchments.
Theforestandwoodproductsindustrycanthereforeplayakeyroleinachievingtheaimsofthe
Biodiversity Plan. For the industry to fully contribute, VAFI recommends that the Biodiversity
Planshould:
o Recognisethatmodernsilviculturecanmaintainandenhanceecosystemfunctionwhile
alsoprovidinglocaljobsandcontributingsignificantlytotheeconomy;
o Acknowledgetheforestandwoodproductsindustryasstewardsofenvironmentalassets
thatprovidebenefitstoVictorians;
o Promoteengagementwithindustrystakeholderstodevelopenvironmentalaccounting
systems that incorporate the full range of ecosystem benefits from Victorian forests,
includingwoodproducts;
o Promote the expansion of green architecture using timber and engineered wood
products;
o Encourage landowners to engage in ecologically appropriate forest management and
sustainableharvestingthatwillcomplementenvironmentalstewardshipschemes;and
o Recognisetheimportanceofaconsistent,cross-tenureregulatorysystemforforestryon
publicandprivateland,carriedoutundertheCodeofPractice.
APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016
Priority4:BethefirststateinVictoriatoadopttheUNsystemofEnvironmental-Economic
Accounting as a way to embed environmental considerations into whole-of government
decisionsmaking
The Biodiversity Plan proposes that Victoria will adopt the UN system of EnvironmentalEconomicAccountingforvaluingthetotalbenefitsandvaluesderivedfromenvironmentalassets.
VAFIstressestheimportanceofrecognisingthefullrangeofecosystembenefits,includingthose
providedbywoodproducts.
Wood is a sustainable product with a lower environmental impact than many alternative
products (such as steel or concrete). Moreover, the use of locally produced wood products
sourced from sustainably managed forests reduces demand pressure on hardwood forests
overseaswhereharvestingcanhaveamuchmoresevereenvironmentalimpact.Managementfor
theservicesandbenefitsprovidedbytimberharvestingcancomplementandenhancethebroad
environmentalbenefitsprovidedbyVictoria’sforests.
In Victoria, forest managers are legally obliged to protect ecosystem structures and functions.
CommercialforestryinVictoriaisundertakenincompliancewiththeCodeofPracticeforTimber
Production(theCodeofPractice).TheCodeofPracticecontainsasuiteofmandatoryactionsto
maintainenvironmentalvaluesandminimiseimpactsofculturalvaluesandthevisuallandscape.
Theseactionsinclude:
o Managingharvestedforesttoperpetuatebiodiversityvalues;
o Regeneratingharvestedareasusingseedsourceswithprovenancetothearea;
o Maintainingspeciescompositionandrepresentativegenepools;
o Monitoringandmaintainingforesthealth(e.g.weedandpestcontrol);
o Measurestoprotectallunharvestedareasfromtheimpactsofunplannedfires;
o Protectingwaterwaysandriparianhabitatusingbuffersandfilterstrips;
o Minimisingwaterpollution;and,
o Maintainingtheproductivecapacityofsoils.
TheBiodiversityPlanshould,therefore,takeintoaccounttheroleoftheforestandwoodproducts
industry in maintaining all environmental services that all Victorians benefit from. Below, we
provideexamplesoftheroletheindustrycanplayinusingbest-practicesilviculturetomaintain
orenhanceecosystemfunctionwhilealsobenefitinglocaleconomyandgeneratingjobs.
Biodiversity
Large areas of native forest land in Victoria are fragmented or disturbed, leading to reduced
ecologicalfunction.Intheseareas,furtherdiebackislikelytooccur,drivenbyawiderangeof
environmental factors (e.g. drought, fire, soil erosion, increased pressures from insects and
herbivores). In appropriate cases, the industry can apply locally appropriate management,
includingsustainableharvesting,toregenerateforestsandstabilisehabitatlossesoverthelongterm,whilealsoachievingcarbonabatementandeconomicoutcomes.Thiscanbeeitherthrough
managing degraded forests to improve structure and function, or converting private land to
nativeforest.
APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016
Improvingdisturbedforest
The Ironwood Project was established in East Gippsland in 2010 to develop and assess
silvicultural methods that can rehabilitate degraded forest, by improving structure and
biodiversitywhilealsodeliveringafinancialreturnonwoodresources.
Theprojectisdevelopingamulti-agedsilviculturalsystem,appliedtolow-yielding,lowelevation
mixedspecies(LEMS)foreststhatwillprovidesmallvolumesofdurablespeciesforsawinginto
high value products. This includes “thinning”, single tree and gap selection techniques that
contributetoimprovedstructuraldiversitycomparedtocurrentsystems.Inthelong-term,these
harvestingapproacheswill:
o Maintainamixed-ageforestareawitharangeoftreesizes/agesorgrowthstages;
o Provideconditionsforanyunder-representeddurablespeciestoreturntothesite;
o Leavethesiteinastatewherekeybiodiversityvaluesareretainedorcanquicklyrecover
topre-harvestlevels;
o Attaincommercialreturns;
o Maintainorimprovetotalcarbonbalancethroughsequestrationinharvestedproducts
andgrowthoftheretainedforest;
o Involve relevant Reconciliation Action Plans for management, cultural issues or
employmentopportunities;
o Maintainsiteaesthetics;and
o Leavethesiteinaconditionwherethefuelhazardisnohigherthanthatpre-harvestfuel
hazardorthatfuturefuelreductionaimsarenotcompromised.
TheIronwoodprojectisstillinprogressandbestpracticesilvicultureapproachesarestillbeing
refined,however,aninterimprojectassessment1concludedthat:
o Theprojecthasdemonstratedthatuneven-agedsilviculturecanbesafelypracticedinthe
multi-agedLEMSforestsandbroadlymaintaintheirmixed-agestructure;
o This harvesting approach has not significantly compromised biodiversity while
producingqualitysawlogs;
o It is likely that outcomes from this project will bring “new wood” to the industry by
allowingharvestinginpreviouslyuncommercialareas,soreducingdemandpressureon
currentlyharvestedareas;
o The overall fuel hazard appears to have been reduced. The hazard could be further
reducedifamarketforresidueincludingbranchwoodisdeveloped;and
o Mixed-ageforestshavecapacityforon-goingandsubstantialcarbonsequestration.
VAFIencouragesthegovernmenttousetheBiodiversityPlanasaframeworkforengagingwith
industrypartnerstoagreemethodsforidentifyingandassessingdisturbedforestareaswhere
long-term private management can deliver multiple benefits. We also encourage further
consultationtodevelopapproachestostimulatelong-terminvestmentintheseresources.
Flinn,DW(2012)DurableTimberProductivityandEcologicalProject,EastGippsland.Documentationofresultsfromthefirsttrial
coupe
1
APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016
Nativeforestplantations
Establishingnewplantationsofnativetreesonprivatepropertyshouldalsobeencouragedby
theBiodiversityPlan.Reforestationofnativespeciesmanagedforharvestingdeliverlandscape
scalebiodiversitybenefits.2Forexample,convertingpasturetoEucalyptplantationscanprotect
adjoiningremnantpatchesofnativevegetation.Benefitstoremnantpatchesinclude:
o Reducingnegativeeffectsoflivestockgrazing;
o Reducingthemagnitudeofbiophysicalandbiologicaldegradationatedgeofremnants;
o Facilitatingthedispersaloforganismsbetweenremnants;and
o Inherent biodiversity value in their own right, which is significantly higher than
agriculturalland.
Carbonsequestration
Thereissignificantresearchshowingthepotentialforreductionsingreenhousegasemissions
throughforest-relatedactivities.Sustainablymanagedforestsandwoodproductindustriescan
make a positive contribution to abating and offseting emissions and produce better long-term
carbonreductionoutcomesthandecreasingorceasingharvesting.
Themajorpathwaysforemissionsabatementare:
o Thecarbonsequesteredingrowingforests;
o Thecarbonstoredinharvestedwoodproducts;
o Thesubstitutionofhigh-emissionsmaterials(e.g.steel,concrete)withwoodandother
fibrebasedproductsthathaveasubstantiallyloweremissionsfootprint3;and
o Theuseofwoodwasteforrenewableenergy,replacingfossilfuels.
Researchthataccountedforthesemultipleemissionsmitigationpathwaysshowedthatintwo
native forest types in NSW, sustainably managed wood production forests can produce better
carbonabatementoutcomesthanunharvestedforests.4Sustainablymanagedforestsretaintheir
carbonstocksovertime,andthelong-livedwoodproductsderivedfromthemretaincarbonfor
even longer periods. These forests not only store carbon, they support the livelihoods of local
communitiesandoureconomy.
CooperativeResearchCentreforForestry(2011)TechnicalReport215,Biodiversityoutcomesfromeucalyptplantationexpansion
intoagriculturallandscapesofsouthernAustralia:Areview
3Dennehy,K(2014)Usingmorewoodforconstructioncanslashglobalrelianceonfossilfuels
4Ximenes,F,George,B,Cowie,A,Williams,J&KellyG(2012)GreenhousegasbalanceofnativeforestinNewSouthWales,Australia.
Forests3:653-683
2
APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016
Catchmentwateryields
Melbourne draws its water from forested catchments in the central highlands of Victoria.
Approximatelyhalfofthetotalcatchmentareaiscoveredbymountainashforests,whichproduce
80%ofthemeanannualstreamflowduetohighrainfallintheregion.
Long-term research in these catchments has indicated that thinning regimes in mountain ash
forestcouldincreasewateryieldbyupto36%.5Therefore,forestmanagementisapotentially
vital component of water supply augmentation strategies. This may become increasingly
importantasprecipitationandstreamflowdecreaseinachangingclimate.
Priority7:Drivetheexpansionofgreeninfrastructureanduseofnativespecies,tohelp
create liveable and climate-adapted communities that include opportunities to connect
withnature.
VAFI supports the development of “green” infrastructure in urban areas but stresses that
developmentofthisnatureshouldnotbelimitedusinglivingvegetation.Theuseoftimberand
high-performance engineered wood products in the construction of green infrastructure will
generate benefits that contribute the objectives the plan to create urban communities where
peoplearemoreconnectedtonature.Benefitsfromusingwoodproductsinclude:
o Reducinggreenhousegasemissionsfromconstruction(seeabove);
o Positiveeffectsonmentalandphysicalwellbeingfromtimberinthebuiltenvironment;6
o Environmentalservicesandbenefitsmaintainedbysustainableforestmanagement(see
above).
Priority 12: Investigate options for significantly increasing incentives for private land
ownerstopermanentlyprotectimportanthabitatontheirland
Privatelandownershaveacrucialroletoplayinmanagingandmaintainingbiodiversityonland
outside the reserve system. However VAFI has noted, in a recent submission to the review of
native vegetation clearing regulations, that the current regulatory framework for native
vegetationdoesnotaddresshistoricandcontinuingoveralldeclineinnativevegetationcondition
andextentonprivateland.
Theregulations,astheyarecurrentlyapplied,encouragelandownerstoviewexistingvegetation
asaliabilityratherthananasset.In2007,anABSsurveyoflandholderswithnativevegetation
ontheirlandreportedthat22%onlyretainedvegetationbecauseitwastooexpensiveordifficult
toclearand28%saidtheywouldhaveclearediftherewerenorestrictionsondoingso.7While
surveyresultsarenotavailablespecificallyfornativeforestinVictoria,thisreportsuggeststhat
alargeproportionofnativevegetationownersdonotseeanyeconomicvalueintheirvegetation.
Hawthorne,S,Lane,PNJ,Bren,L&Sims,N(2013)Thelong-termeffectsofthinningtreatmentsonvegetationstructureandwater
yieldForestEcology&Management310:983-993
6Wood:Housing,HealthHumanity(2015)PlanetArk
7ABS(2007)Cat.no4620.02004-05(Reissue)NaturalResourceManagementonAustralianFarms.AustralianBureauofStatistics
5
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Priority12(cont.)
This attitude creates a danger that vegetation will be degraded by inappropriate fire regimes,
failuretocontrolweedsandotheroutcomesthatcannotbepreventedbyregulation.Thisview
amonglandholdersislikelytobeexacerbatedbythenativevegetationclearingregulationsacting
to prevent active investment and management of large areas of private native forest for
environmentalandeconomicoutcomes.
However,aregulatorysystemthatallowedsustainableharvesting,compliantwiththeCodeof
Practice,wouldallowlandholderstoinvestinthevalueoftheirresourcewhilealsodeliveringa
rangeofenvironmentalbenefits.
VAFI recommends that DELWP consider expanding the scope of the Biodiversity Plan to
encourage landowners engage in ecologically appropriate forest management for sustainable
harvestingthatwillcomplementenvironmentalstewardshipschemes.
Priority 19: Deliver an effective, best-practice regulatory and legislative framework to
protect our habitats for future generations and support the achievement of Protecting
Victoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036
Native forests in Victoria are governed by separate regulatory systems. The native vegetation
clearingregulationsforprivatelandeffectivelypreventforestmanagement(seeabove),placing
extrastrainonpublicforestsforresourceuse.
Thefullextentofunavailableresourceonprivatelandispoorlydocumentedbutprivatenative
forests represent approximately 13% of all native forest and, during the period 1997-2007,
suppliedanaverageof10%ofthetotalvolumeofsawlogsinVictoria.8Privateforeststherefore
havethepotentialtosustainablysupplyaproportionofdemandforwoodproductifgoverned
consistentlyacrosspublicandprivatelandtenures.
ThepositiveoutcomesfromsuchasysteminVictoriawouldinclude:
o Consistent,cross-tenuremanagementofharvestednativeforests;
o Consistentapplicationofmanagementrulesacrossthestate;
o Improvedstrategicmanagementofbiodiversityvaluesatthestatelevel;
o Allowingharvestingfromprivatelandwouldreduceresourcepressureonpublicforests;
and
o Allowingtimberharvestingfromprivateforestswouldencourageinvestmentinnative
forestmanagementandplantationcreation,leadingtoincreasedenvironmentalbenefits.
RuralIndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporation(2009)TheRole,ValuesandPotentialofAustralia’sPrivateNativeForests.
RIRCPublication09/049
8
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Priority19[cont.]
Anexampleofasimilarapproachforforestrywasoutlinedinthe2014independentReviewof
BiodiversityLegislationinNSW.Thereviewconcludedthatthereshouldbeabroaderanddeeper
applicationofbiodiversityoffsetsinNSW,butthatforestryonprivatelandrepresentedalowrisk
activity. The report recommended that the NSW government should “review regulatory
arrangementsfortimberharvestingonprivatelandaspartofaseparateprocessthatdoesnot
regulatetheharvestingofnativetimberasaformoflandusechange”.9
VAFI recommends that commercial forestry should be governed by a state-wide, cross-tenure
regulatorysystemforprivateandpubliclandundertheCodeofPractice.
AreviewofbiodiversitylegislationinNSWFinalReport(2014)Recommendation7
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APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016