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Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Sustainability and EnvironmentDse Launches Gippsland Forest Management PlanThe future of Gippsland’s forests became clearer today with the release of a new management plan that provides more certainty for all forest users. By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 23rd June 2004 - Back to News The Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Forest Management Plan for Gippsland provides a network of protected areas. Some 278,000 hectares of state forest has been set aside for conservation purposes. This brings the total area in the National Forest Reserve System in Gippsland to more than 780,000 hectares, or 30 per cent of all public land.
"This plan improves protection for threatened species in the region, particularly the Powerful, Sooty and Masked Owls, the Alpine Tree-Frog, the Spot-tailed Quoll and the Smoky Mouse," said DSE’s Deputy Secretary Land Stewardship and Biodiversity, Kevin Love.
"It provides a clear framework for sustainable use, ensuring forest ecosystems are maintained or enhanced and protecting water supplies and sensitive environmental and cultural values.
"It aims to ensure timber production, tourism, recreation and other forest uses continue to benefit Victorian communities. The area available for timber harvesting in Gippsland will not be affected.
"The plan recognises indigenous communities as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters and that they have a fundamental role in their management."
Launching the plan at Forestech, near Lakes Entrance, Mr Love said it aims to create a sustainable balance between the many uses and values of State forest in the area.
"Extensive community input has gone into this plan, which fits in with the Victorian Government’s policy commitment to sustainable forest management, Our Forests Our Future, which aims to balance the needs of the community, jobs and the environment," Mr Love said.
The ten-year plan is a dynamic document that provides flexibility to respond to new information and changing community expectations.
Copies of the plan are available from the DSE Resource Centre (8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne), DSE Traralgon (71 Hotham Street) and DSE Bairnsdale (7 Service Street) or by contacting the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
It is also available on the Internet at www.DSE.vic.gov.au/forestry
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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