By KATH GANNAWAY
AN OPEN House in Healesville this month will give people an opportunity to talk with VicForests staff about forestry, including their bid to gain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
The FSC is also on the agenda of Murrindindi Shire Council which, at its meeting in January voted to approve a draft submission addressing issues of concern to the council.
The process started in 2013 when VicForests announced plans to seek FSC Controlled Wood Certification and its intention to seek full FSC Forest Management Certification at a later date.
In November 2014, updated drafts of its Forest Management Plan and High Conservation Management Strategy were released for public comment with a view to seeking FSC Controlled Wood certification this year.
VicForests’ General Manager Planning, Nathan Trushell announced the Open House last week.
“It’s an opportunity to ask questions and find out information about both your local area, and the linkages to the rest of Victoria,” he said.
“Find out where VicForests sits in relation to Victoria’s forests and where you can have input into the sometimes complex world of sustainable forest management.”
Information stations will address components of VicForests operations such as planning, operations, regeneration and the management of high conservation values, as well as the FSC bid.
“We hope the Open House will provide a relaxed atmosphere for all interested community members to come and discuss their issues and quieries in a supportive and informative environment,” Mr Trushell said.
Cr Andrew Derwent, who holds Murrindindi council’s environment portfolio, moved the motion to follow through with a submission to to VicForests.
Council’s policy is that it recognises the environmental, economic and social benefits of the Toolangi State Forest and supports forest management that sustain the long term health and biodiversity of the forest and respect the needs of local communities.
The policy, adopted in 2012, opposed logging that reduces visual appeal of significant landscapes and vistas, adversely impacts threatened species or ecological communities, reduces biodiversity in the longer term, significantly reduces reasonable access to the forest by local communities and unfairly impacts on the amenity of local residents.
Cr Derwent said the submission focused on six of the 11 focus areas of VicForests Draft Management Plan including science-based decision making, biodiversity and other conservation values, community involvement, long-term economic development, social and environmental services and transparency.
The VicForests Open House is from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, 14 March from 11am to 4pm.
VicForests Regional Engagement Manager, Liz Langford, can help with any questions ahead of the event. Phone 5969 9000 or email liz.langford@vicforests.com.au.
