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SUBMISSION 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 APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016 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 APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016 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 9 APPENDIX1:VAFIsubmissiontoProtectingVictoria’sEnvironment–Biodiversity2036,May2016