Community

VicForests' Community

VicForests' community consists of a large number of stakeholders – from federal, state and local governments to local customers, contractors, industry organisations, environmental, business and community groups, media outlets, as well as certification and research organisations.

One of our key strategies is to build strong timber communities by supporting the regional areas in which we operate. Over the past 12 months we have done this through a number of means, including building relationships with local environmental, community, sports, business and government groups and individuals, developing systems and procedures for understanding and addressing issues of concern to community members, and supporting a wide range of local community initiatives.

Relationships with Local Community Groups

We liaise with and support local communities in a number of ways. Some of these initiatives include our community consultation process for our harvesting plans, the provision of funding to support community initiatives via our Community Support Program and the sponsorship of a range of other regional community events.

VicForests' Timber Release Plan (TRP) Community Consultation Process
As directed by the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004, we are required to prepare Timber Release Plans for all timber harvesting and associated access road operations. A TRP lists all native forest areas (coupes) and coupe driveways, their location and the approximate timing of when the operations are to occur. A TRP may be reviewed and changed in accordance with section 43 of the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004. We currently review and amend these plans in response to major environmental or Government policy changes, such as in response to a major fire or Government changes to forest zoning, such as the creation of new national parks.

As part of this process, we invite members of the local communities in which we operate the opportunity to provide feedback on specific operational issues regarding the plans. The community consultation period is advertised in local newspapers and promoted through a direct mail campaign to local community members with whom we have previously had contact. Click here for further details on the 2011 Community Consultation Process.

VicForests' Local Community Support Program

During 2010, we launched a local Community Support Program offering grants for local community initiatives in the communities in the areas where we operate. The Program was advertised in local newspapers and newsletters and over 40 grants were awarded from over 120 applications to local sporting groups, charities, schools, arts events, community events and environmental groups.

VicForests' Community Support Program is again running for the 2011/12 financial year. Click here to find out more information.

Sponsorship of Victorian Axeman Association

We provide up to $50,000 in kind support to the Victorian Axeman Association through the donation of saw logs for country and metropolitan wood chopping shows. Without our support the Association would not be able to continue the tradition of this 100+ year old sport at both regional Victorian shows and the Royal Melbourne Show as native hardwood is required to be used by participants.

Sponsorship of Ambulance Victoria's ‘Helimed One' Ambulance Helicopter

VicForests donated more than $55 000 to Ambulance Victoria's ‘Helimed One' paramedic air ambulance helicopter and rescue service in Gippsland during 2010/11 to help save lives throughout regional communities in eastern Victoria. The total amount donated since 2007 is almost $270,000.

Sponsorship of Alexandra Truck and Ute Show

There has been a long standing sponsorship of the Alexandra Truck , Rod and Ute Show.  VicForests is proud to support this event, which is run on a totally voluntary basis by local community members.

Our support has enabled the show to go from strength to strength and is a premier event in the area. The popular woodchop event , also sponsored by VicForests, has ensured that numbers have continued to grow, with 2011 being a major success.

Relationships with Local Environmental Groups

We regularly meet with a number of local environmental groups to hear their views and discuss operational concerns.

Following discussions with a Warburton-based environment group, we commissioned a research project to hear the views of community members in the Warburton area about the use of our forests. The results will help with our planning processes.

Relationships with Local Indigenous Groups

We have developed relationships with a number of indigenous groups in the areas in which we harvest.

We recently worked with the Gunai/Kurnai in East Gippsland to deliver an ‘Indigenous Cultural Awareness Program', specifically to improve our staff's skills in identifying cultural heritage sites and artefacts in the field. A similar program was run in conjunction with members of the Wurundjeri in Central Highlands for our staff in that region.

Other initiatives in which we liaise with indigenous groups include the provision of firewood to Gunai/Kurnai members and the opportunity to employee indigenous trainees as part of a forestry work experience program.