Timber plan made public

By Kath Gannaway
VICFORESTS has released for public comment its proposals for timber harvesting for up to the next five years.
The last round of Timber Release Plans (TRPs) resulted in a community backlash last year which led to some proposed coupes in the Toolangi area being removed from the plan.
Daniel Sedunary, VicForests’ manager, Tactical Planning, said updates to VicForests’ Timber Release Plans (TRPs) are part of an annual planning process.
“VicForests amends these plans each year to add new areas for future harvesting and to remove unharvested areas, which are no longer being considered as part of our operations. Mr Sedunary said.
He said the TRPs detailed the proposed timing of harvesting operations, the location of access roads to be constructed and any other relevant information but did not increase the overall area VicForests is permitted to harvest in a five-year period.
“VicForests is asking the community to provide feedback related to specific aspects of the proposed harvesting plans including the timing of harvesting operations,” Mr Sedunary said.
“Feedback received from the public is closely considered by VicForests’ Tactical Planning staff before the proposed plans are finalised.
“Once finalised, the plans are submitted to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) for approval before harvesting operations commence.
“All community feedback is provided to DSE for consideration when the final proposed Timber Release Plans are submitted for approval,” he said.
VicForests spokesman David Walsh confirmed to the Mail last week that “full copies of all submissions received by VicForests are provided to DSE as part of the approval process”.
Mr Sedunary said the TRPs list both the areas VicForests is currently harvesting and those it plans to harvest in the future.
The public consultation period started on Wednesday 9 March and runs until Wednesday 6 April, 2011.
Further information is available on the VicForests website – www.vicforests.com.au