RFA Outcome

Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in the West Regional Forest Agreement Consultation Process. You can be assured that your submission contributed to a partial victory for community and conservation interests. We will be publishing an analysis of the outcome in the near future and this will be displayed on this website and circulated throughout our mailing list.

In brief, we believe that the RFA should not have been signed in its current form. It is based upon incomplete and poor science. There are still major problems with the reserve system, and not enough emphasis placed upon non-timber values. In and of itself, the RFA would spell an electoral disaster for the ALP. However, the ALP has put in place a number of reviews - separate to the RFA process- which may provide opportunities to significantly alter the management of public forests in the future. Therefore we are willing to keep an open mind at the same time as putting all our efforts into ensuring that the reviews are undertaken with the utmost speed, transparency and accountability.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the RFA is that the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (forestry) don't even rate a slap around the wrist for what we believe was their part in disrupting the RFA consultation process. We will not be satisfied if any of the future reviews are placed under the direction or influence of the forestry section of this department.