Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Yesterday Senator Rhiannon asked me a question about forestry operations in Victoria. I seek leave to incorporate further information in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

Further response to question from Senator Rhiannon of 8 November 2011

I am advised that the Victorian government has proposed variations to the 'Code of Practice for Timber Production 2007'.

Proposed variations are in the public domain for consultation with submissions invited on the proposed variations from the public through until 1 February 2012.

The Victorian government have stated:

Under the Regional Forest Agreements in Victoria there is a requirement for the management of forests under Victorias accredited forest management system which includes the Code of Practice for Timber Production and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998.The Code of Practice for Timber Production is expected to be reviewed on a regular basis. The Victorian government states that "The objective of the variations is to achieve a better balance between the protection of threatened species and sustainable timber production from public native forests."

I understand that the Victorian government plans to undertake a series of surveys inside national parks.

The Victorian Government is establishing a process for threatened species surveys that will better inform Victoria's sustainable forest management framework and conserve threatened flora and fauna at a species and landscape level.

I am advised that the approach will properly recognise the role played by Victoria's 4 million hectares of National Parks and conservation reserves and enhance the Victorian governments' knowledge of threatened species distribution.