Acting Australian Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, and Minister for
Forestry, Senator Eric Abetz, said the plan provided
a strategic and coordinated approach to increasing
reserves and protection for Tasmania’s unique
forests.
“Clearing of native vegetation
is an issue affecting Tasmania's natural environment”,
the Minister said.
“As a result, the Australian Government has addressed
this by establishing the Forest Conservation Fund
to protect more than 45,000 hectares of old growth
forest and other under-reserved forest communities
on private land – including in the Mole Creek
area.
“The fund will operate as a
voluntary market-based programme offering land
owners the opportunity to covenant parts of their
property to form reserves to complement those
on public land.”
Senator Abetz said the implementation of the Forest
Conservation Fund Strategic Plan was a critical
step in protecting the legitimate interests of
landholders while securing the environment and
building on Tasmania's stock of unique and protected
forests.
The plan includes:
• Provision of support through
on-ground conservation liaison officers who will
work with landholders to develop their application,
including proposed conservation management actions
• Agreed conservation management actions to be
secured and funded through conservation agreements
• Provision of ongoing management support services
to landholders
The Forest Conservation Fund is a key element
of the Howard Government’s Tasmanian Community
Forest Agreement.
“The first round of landholder
applications will be sought later this year and
I encourage all landholders to take part in this
opportunity.”
Tasmanian landholders interested in the programme
can register interest via email fcf@deh.gov.au,
call the Department of the Environment and Heritage
Community Information Unit on 1800 803 772 or
visit the website at www.deh.gov.au/land/forestpolicy/fcf
