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Goolengook Forest Investigation – Call for submissions

Public submissions are being sought to help determine whether Goolengook Forest in East Gippsland should be added to Errinundra National Park.

By VEAC - 1st June 2006 - Back to News

VEAC chairman Duncan Malcolm said a moratorium on logging in Goolengook will stay in place while VEAC carries out the investigation. VEAC's final report is due to be presented to Environment Minister, John Thwaites, by July 2007.

Mr Malcom said the Goolengook Forest Investigation is being conducted in parallel with VEAC's investigation into River Red Gum Forests along the Murray.

VEAC has recently released Goolengook Forest Investifation Information Booklet which provides:

• Information about the investigation;
• Existing public land uses within the Goolengook Forest Management Block;
• The uses, values and resources of the study area; and
• The possible approaches to determining park boundaries and ensuring no net deterioration in timber production capacity in the region.

The Goolengook Forest Investigation Information Booklet can be viewed on the VEAC website (www.veac.vic.gov.au) and at the office of the Department of Sustainability & Environment, Department of Primary Industries and Parks Victoria in Orbost, Bairnsdale, Traralgon, Bendoc, Cann River, Lakes Entrance and Melbourne, as well as shire offices and public libraries in the region. Copies are also available from VEAC directly.

Submissions close 4 August 2006, and can be made either by mail, email or fax to.

Goolengook Investigation
Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
Level 1, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne  VIC  3002
Fax: (03) 9637 8024
Email: veac@dse.vic.gov.au

For further information, contact Shane Dwyer, Executive Officer, VEAC - phone (03) 9637 9902 or 1800 134 803 (toll free) or visit the VEAC website www.veac.vic.gov.au

Terms of Reference for VEAC Goolengook Forest Investigation

Pursuant to Section 15 of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001, the Minister for Environment hereby requests the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) to carry out an investigation of public land within the Goolengook Forest Management Block in East Gippsland.

The purposes of the investigation are to:

1. Examine the Goolengook Forest Management Block for its potential for all or part to be added to the Errinundra National Park, with particular reference to the need to protect old growth forest^*.
2. Provide advice on the costs, benefits and implications, in terms of biodiversity, timber resource and other values, of options under 1 above.
3. Ensure that there is no net deterioration in timber production capacity.
4. Recommend preferred options and advise on implementation requirements to achieve the preferred option.

Note: ^*Old growth, for the purposes of this investigation, is forest that meets the definition specified in the Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia.

In addition to the considerations specified in Section 18 of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001, the Council must also take into consideration the following matters:

· Policies, programs and reports, as well as obligations, resulting from International, Commonwealth-State agreements or arrangements, as they relate to the investigation;

· Existing State Government policies, programs, strategies and Ministerial Statements, as they relate to the investigation; and

· Regional programs, strategies and plans, as they relate to the investigation.

The Council is required to prepare a Draft Proposals Paper and must submit a Final Report on the results of its investigation within 18 months of the request.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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