Regional Forest Agreements
Regional Forest Agreements
Regional Forest Agreements
Regional Forests Agreements (RFAs) are a key element in the National Forest Policy
Statement's framework for native forest management. They seek to establish a reasonable balance between conserving Australia's forest estate and managing it for sustainable economic production and recreation. Their implementation resulted in the establishment of a world-class forest conservation reserve system (CAR) to protect biodiversity.
The following matters relevant to the forest regions are covered by the Agreements:
- Environmental values, including old-growth, wilderness, endangered species, National Estate values and World Heritage values;
- Indigenous heritage values;
- Economic values of forested areas and forest industries;
- Social values (including community needs);
- Principles of ecologically sustainable management;
- Provision for a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system;
- Promoting practices for the ecologically sustainable management and use of forested area in the region or regions;
- Providing long-term stability of forests and forest industries.
VicForests has indirect obligations arising from the RFAs including to report on audits of compliance with the Code of Practices for Timber Production (2007), while meeting the legislative rules made in the Agreements.
