2016-12-19
Jess Beckerling
On Sunday 11th December economic think tank The Australia Institute published its latest report Barking Up The Wrong Trees, confirming what WA Forest Alliance has long been saying: that the highly destructive native forest logging industry is not only costing us irreplaceable forests, but also millions of dollars. It also finds that as few as 300 people remain employed in falling, hauling and milling and recommends a transition out of native forests.
That classical narrative in which the economy is pitched against the environment is dead. Whether your concern is for sound fiscal management, future job security or the forests themselves, the need is all the same: protect the native forests and transition the timber industry.
WA Forest Alliances new campaign Forests For Life sets out a plan for such a transition. It proposes that High Conservation Value forests be immediately protected in national parks and that degraded areas be conserved in a new land category called Future Forests where they can sequester carbon and their ecological values can be restored over time.
It proposes that the State act quickly to begin negotiations with the Federal Government towards a financial forest carbon agreement in which funds equal to the substantial carbon value of the south-west forests are provided to the State to protect and manage the forests as a biodiverse carbon store. The NSW Government has reportedly already begun discussions with the Commonwealth and WA should not miss this opportunity.
In recognising the profound wealth of knowledge and tradition and the Noongar peoples ancient and continuous custodianship, Forest For Life proposes that a co-management plan be developed for protecting and restoring biodiversity in the forests.
It also sets out a plan for timber and employment and establishes the framework for an ambitious and long overdue land care initiative. The Forests For Life 50 Million Trees plan would see 40 000 hectares of high value timber trees planted in association with food production in two zones. Albany and Manjimup would become the two central hubs where timber processing would occur, reenergising the high value timber industry in the Great Southern and South-West and doubling to trebling current employment in the timber industry.
To avoid the pitfalls of the Managed Investment Scheme and other mass plantings that have not stood the test of time, it is critical to get the scale, locations, species, partnerships and financial arrangements right. WA has a wealth of skill and expertise in farm forestry that is informing this widely supported initiative.
The benefits dont stop at protected forests and 50 million new trees. Participating farms would also have their creek lines rehabilitated and any areas affected by salinity and erosion revegetated. These permanent plantings would deliver profound water quality, biodiversity, soil, aesthetic and climate benefits.
Protected forests also mean better business for the many sustainable forest-based enterprises in the south-west including honey production and tourism. Its all win.
Forests For Life is ready to be put into action. WAFA is working with consultants on financial models and quickly developing exciting partnerships. All the information can be found at http://forestsforlife.org.au and we welcome everyones input.