The second Tasmanian RFA Annual Meeting of Officials took place in Canberra on 24 July 2019. The meeting was attend by Senior Officials from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Department of the Environment and Energy, and the Tasmanian Government Department of State Growth and Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
This meeting satisfies the requirements of clause 9A of the Tasmanian RFA:
The Parties agree to hold annual officials-level, bi-lateral meetings in the years between each 5 yearly review to monitor the implementation of the Agreement and discuss any issues that arise.
Discussion related to issues that had arisen since the first Tasmanian RFA Annual Meeting of Officials held on 16 July 2018.
Officials received updates on matters relating to changes to the Tasmanian Forest Management System (FMS). It was reported that there had been no significant changes to Tasmania’s CAR reserve since the last annual meeting. Information on compliance of forest practices in Tasmania was provided and discussed.
Officials noted that a review of the Forest Practices Code by the Forest Practices Authority was underway. Updates were also provided regarding the Forest Practices Authority compliance reporting and the Permanent Timber Production Zone.
Preparation for the five-yearly review due to commence in 2022 has started with the development of a draft five year work plan. Officials discussed the process that will be used to support the five-yearly review in 2022, as required by clauses 9B of the Tasmanian RFA. Officials also discussed its relationship with the Tasmanian State of the Forests Report (SoFR) and the development and implementation of a Scoping Agreement.
Tasmanian officials provided updates on the impact of the 2019 bushfires.
Officials agreed to meet for the next annual meeting in July 2020, noting that the meeting is required to be held no later than 18 August 2020.
Canberra
24 July 2019