In November of 2015, the Victorian government implemented its Forest Industry Taskforce, following Daniel’s election promise. The taskforce, funded by the Victorian government, brings together various interest groups representing unions and environment groups to develop policy recommendations for the future of Victoria’s forests.
The Taskforce will seek broad community support to address key challenges facing workers, forest, wood and fibre industries, and Victoria’s environment. Victorian Campaigns Manager with the Wilderness Society, Amelia Young, said in a media release: “This is a unique opportunity for stakeholders to work together to recommend solutions that benefit all Victorians, conserve high-value ecological assets, and deliver new investment and employment opportunities, especially in regional communities.”
The taskforce is led by stakeholders and is the first time in Victoria that policy recommendations have been delegated to stakeholder groups. It brings together groups that have historically been at odds with each other’s interests, from environmental NGO’s to industry representatives, with the challenging task of finding common ground for the consumption and conservation of forest resources. The top priorities f
or the taskforce are to prepare policies which ensure:
- secure fibre and wood supplies
- jobs maintenance and growth
- protection of unique native flora and fauna and threatened species
- new conservation reserves and national parks
- forest management which maintains forest health and supports the full range of economic, social and environmental values and benefits at state, regional and local levels
For more information, visit: http://forestindustrytaskforce.com.au/
This post is part of Just Voices #11 – Climate Change.