DELWP Loddon Mallee regional director Marg Allan said the first phase of engagement for the Forest Reform Program was in full flight with an online survey available for input until March 31.
Ms Allan said the program was the bringing together of land and fire managers, traditional owners and Victorian communities to plan and deliver integrated forest and fire management across the state.
‘‘The aim of the program is to deliver great community value from our forests to all Victorians,’’ she said.
‘‘This process includes a clear commitment to work in partnership with traditional owners to deliver the Forest Reform Program and manage Victoria’s forests into the future.
‘‘The survey is giving people an opportunity to provide their views on what they value in our forests, how forest management can be improved and what they would like from forests in the future.’’
Ms Allan said the feedback from the survey would be reviewed and inform the final Loddon Mallee Regional Forest and Fire Management Plan.
Ms Allan said significant funding had been invested into delivering greater community value from Victoria’s forests, including $35.9 million in the 2018-19 state budget.
‘‘This includes $17.6 million allocated to the modernisation of Victoria’s RFAs and forest management system, which will improve the long-term management of Victoria’s forests,’’ she said.
‘‘It also includes $18.3 million to undertake forest protection surveys in areas planned for timber harvesting to improve the management and protection of threatened species.’’
To complete the online survey visit engage.vic.gov.au/future-of-our-forests
For information on the Forest Reform Program delwp.vic.gov.au/futureforests
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