A draft management plan for South West forests, designed to meet conservation needs until 2023 has been released for public comment by the Western Australian Government. Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the draft plan, released yesterday by the Conservation Commission for a 12-week public comment period, would give the public and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the establishment of management goals until 2023.
“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.” Mr Marmion said.
The plan includes an undertaking not not to harvest old growth forests. Western Australia’s Regional Forest Agreement, signed in partnership with the Federal Government in 1999, and the current plan, both introduced significant new conservation reserves. The draft plan builds on the current forest management plan and proposes changes to improve biodiversity conservation based on further survey work and reviews of existing operations.