The Australian and West Australian governments have agreed to a scoping agreement for the planned third five-yearly review of the Regional Forest Agreement for the South-West Forest Region of Western Australia.
In Western Australia today, the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, said the review was the first phase in meeting the Coalition Government’s election commitment on RFAs.
“Regional Forest Agreements are a key tool in managing these important multiple-use forests in each state responsibly and consistently,” Minister Ruston said.
“This review, under the WA Regional Forest Agreement, is another step in maintaining resource security and investment confidence for the forestry industry in WA whilst providing ongoing certainty for conservation outcomes.
“While this assessment is central to our commitment for a strong and sustainable forestry industry, it is also an important mechanism to assess how we are performing in delivering the right balance of environmental, economic and social outcomes from our forests for West Australians.
“Not only that, this assessment will provide a catalyst for extending the WA RFA, and we remain committed to establishing rolling 20-year agreements to provide more certainty and stability to the forest industry.
“The Coalition Government recognises the contribution the forestry industry makes to the national economy, particularly in regional Australia.
For more information on the WA RFA review, visit: www.agriculture.gov.au/forestry/policies/rfa/regions/wa.
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