TCFA Research into alternatives to clearfelling in old growth forests (operating plan)

Download

Document	Pages	File size
Research into alternatives to clearfelling in old growth forests (Operating Plan) PDF	10	55 KB

If you have difficulty accessing this file, please visit web accessibility.

Online version

​​Introduction

The purpose of this plan is to set out operating arrangements for the implementation of the Australian Government’s commitment in the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement (TCFA) to invest $2 million to research alternatives to clearfelling old growth forests in Tasmania.

Background

TCFA commits the Australian and Tasmanian Governments to cooperate in a programme to facilitate a significant reduction in the use of clearfell harvesting in old growth forests. The aim is to phase in non-clearfelling techniques so that, by 2010, no more than 20% of the area of old growth forest harvested each year in Tasmania will be clearfelled, compared with 50% at present.

Clause 30 commits the governments to jointly fund a package of forest operations and management, industry development and research and development activities. Clause 76(i) commits the Australian Government to a contribution of $2 million towards research into alternatives to clearfelling. This supplements the $11.1 million being invested by Tasmania in further research and implementation, including training and support for harvesting contractors. From this $11.1m, Tasmania is contributing $0.4m to the segment of this
programme being jointly managed with the Australian Government. The joint investment will facilitate acceleration of the current research programme based at Warra in Southern Tasmania, and will enable its expansion into other forest types in other parts of the state.

This programme effectively complements separate TCFA investments in intensive forest management and hardwood industry development.

Objective

The objective of the programme is to identify, commission and report on research into and operational trials of alternatives to clearfelling old growth forests in Tasmania.

Desired Outcomes/Benefits

The desired outcomes of the programme are:

1. Assurance that alternative silvicultural approaches in old growth forests are supported by sound science;
2. A contribution to Forestry Tasmania’s capacity to meet TCFA’s target of capping clearfelling in old growth forests at 20% of the harvestable area by 2010;
3. Help Forestry Tasmania to maintain industry access to a minimum sustainable yield of 300,000m³ per annum; and
4. In so doing, help the industry to enhance the value of its outputs and maintain existing employment levels.

Key Outputs/Milestones

Direct outputs of the programme will include:

a) An accelerated research and field trials programme, including economic analysis (see Attachment A);

b) A communication strategy for consideration by Ministers;

c) Assistance to Forestry Tasmania in convening a panel of international experts in forest conservation and management;

d) An international conference as part of a review of the Warra-based research programme and recommendations on future directions;

e) Annual reporting to Ministers;

f) A review and formal evaluation of the programme and final report to Ministers;

Related Outputs

In addition to the $2.4m provided for this programme of research and extension by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, Tasmania is investing a further $10.7m into a broad range of activities designed to develop and implement silvicultural improvements and to deal with OH&S and other operational issues. These activities will include

Activity                                                                                                Timing

Operational extension of variable retention trials on State forest across Tasmania           2005-2010

Review of safety issues                                                                                                 2006

Workforce training                                                                                                        2006-2010

Project Management

Governance

The project’s governance framework will be headed by a high-level, joint Australian and Tasmanian Government implementation committee (IC).

Implementation Committee:

Dr Hans Drielsma, Executive General Manager, Forestry Tasmania
Mr Tony Bartlett, General Manager, Forest Industries, Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australian Government

The IC has primary responsibility for developing this plan and annual progress reports for the consideration of Ministers. It will also oversee the work of the Technical Support Group, and manage the provision of information to stakeholders. The IC will also design, implement and report to Ministers on the final review and evaluation of the programme.

It is proposed that the IC be supported by a Technical Support Group as follows:

Mr John Hickey, Forestry Tasmania
Mr John Davidson, Bureau of Rural Sciences
Dr Steve Read, Forestry Tasmania
Mr Mark Neyland, Forestry Tasmania

The Technical Support Group will be responsible for:

• analysing and providing advice to the IC on research and extension outputs as they are finalised;
• supporting the review of the Warra research programme and helping to convene the 2007 International Conference for this purpose; and
• drafting annual activity reports for consideration by IC and provision to Ministers;

Consultation

The IC will ensure that key stakeholders are kept informed of progress with this programme.

Key stakeholders include

• Forestry and Forest Industries Council of Tasmania;
• Timber Communities Australia;
• CRC for Sustainable Forest Landscapes; and
• Tasmanian Conservation Trust

Reporting

The Implementation Committee will report to Ministers by 31 August 2006 on 2005-06 achievements and activities under the research and field trials programme or other activities. Subsequent reports to Ministers will be through overall TCFA Annual Reports on Implementation.

A representative of the Technical Support Group will provide updates on research and field trial projects to meetings of the IC.
Normal agency budget and operational reporting protocols will also be adhered to.

Budget and Expenditure

The Australian Government has allocated $2 million to the programme in 2005-06, with Tasmania adding $0.4million in 2006-07 from its overall budget of $11.1million.

The expenditure of these funds will be determined by the IC in accordance with the research plan.

It is proposed that the Australian Government’s contribution of $2 million be paid to Forestry Tasmania following the agreement by Ministers to this plan.

These funds will be acquitted as part of the annual reporting to Ministers.

Communications Strategy

An ongoing communications strategy for the project will be developed. Communication activities will focus on well timed and regular announcements of key milestones and outcomes as well as stakeholder communication and management. Key communication
opportunities and events may include:

• Ministers announce details of the initial plan, including the research and field trials
  programme;
• Regular information sessions for identified key stakeholders;
• Ministers periodically announce progress with the programme;
• Ministers comment on outcomes from the International Conference/Review of the Warra Research;
• At the end of the programme, Ministers announce the results and any further steps in implementation.  

Programme Activities and Milestones

Proposed milestones for the Alternatives to Clearfelling programme are:

Risk Management

Attachment A

Plan of Research and Field Trials

* To be written up for September 2007 International Conference