People and Places: Building a sustainable forestry industry
The Victorian Timber industry is an innovative 21st century business that can provide the State with renewable energy, sustainable building products and the raw materials required to make modern living possible. The industry also plays a vital role in providing jobs and securing the social and economic sustainability of communities throughout Victoria; directly employing approximately 24,000 people and indirectly supporting another 50,000 jobs.
To ensure a sustainable future for the Victorian forest industry, the VAFI would like to see the next State government implement its 10 point plan:
- A commitment to 20 year Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs), renewed every five years;
- Chain of Custody requirement for all VicForest customers;
- Support for biomass power generation;
- A mandated environment procurement policy for all State government timber and paper products;
- The expanded use of environmental thinning for the management of all Victorian public forests;
- The use of plantation mapping to help make more informed decisions on the establishment of new plantations;
- The development of a long-term hardwood plantation growth strategy;
- Improved governance of the forestry industry through reforms of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and VicForests;
- Education and training; and
- Research and development with a bio-security focus.
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