Forest management plan

Tim Morris

It is time to register as an interested party for the preparation of the 2008-2017 Forestry Tasmania Forest Management Plan
FORESTRY Tasmania is in the process of developing a statewide Forest Management Plan (FMP), which will replace the existing forest district forest management plans, and has just advertised for the registration of stakeholders. Once complete, the FMP will be in force for 10 years.

A really important opportunity exists for individuals, peak bodies and groups, to contribute and have a say regarding all aspects of the future management of State Forest before the FMP is prepared and then released as a draft for public comment – see option one.

OPTION ONE: TO PROVIDE INPUT BEFORE THE DRAFT PLAN IS PREPARED – register your interest in providing input during the preparation of the draft FMP by writing to the Senior Forest Planner, Forestry Tasmania, GPO Box 207 HOBART. The deadline for your registration is close of business Monday, 23 July 2007, however I understand it can be extend to the beginning of August upon request.

According to Forestry Tasmania part of your registration should include comments regarding the scope of the FMP. We recommend you contact the Senior Planner for clarification of requirements by phoning 6233 8373. Please ensure your registration is formally acknowledged.

OPTION TWO: TO PROVIDE COMMENT AND FEEDBACK ON THE DRAFT PLAN – this option does not require you to register with Forestry Tasmania, however it will preclude you from actually having input before the draft plan is prepared.

All you have to do is request a copy of the draft FMP as soon as it is advertised in the daily newspaper (expected to be some time in October 2007); you then have 60 days to make a submission.

Details of your submission are then included in the final submission to the Minister (The Hon Paul Lennon) as part of the approval process. The Forestry Corporation Act 1920 requires Forestry Tasmania to inform the Minister of any action it has taken with regards to those submissions in its formulation of the final FMP.

Go to Forestry Tasmania’s web site for more details regarding the process and plans: www.forestrytas.comau/forestrytas/pages/current%20topics/fmp_2008_2017_1.htm < http://www.forestrytas.com.au/forestrytas/pages/current%20topics/fmp_2008_2017_1.htm>

Or if you have any further questions or require additional information call our office on 6233 8300 and ask to speak with our Forests Officer, Rena Dare. Please provide us with a copy of your submission if you choose to register with Forestry Tasmania.

Best Wishes

Tim Morris MHA, Tasmanian Parliamentary Greens Shadow Minister for Native Forests.