Community forest inspection at Jarrahdale

14/11/03
Environment Minister Judy Edwards has welcomed a community inspection of State forest blocks in the Jarrahdale area.
Dr Edwards said the inspection program she initiated earlier this year was aimed at broadening community participation in the sustainable management of the South-West native forests.
The program involves a series of in-forest inspections for representatives of local community organisations, with a specific focus on forest management. The tours also include representatives of the WA Forest Alliance, the Conservation Commission of Western Australia, the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Forest Products Commission.
"I was pleased that Councillor Jan Star of the Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire, who is concerned over the way in which the forests around Jarrahdale are being managed, was able to discuss at first-hand a wide range of issues," Dr Edwards said.
Other members of the tour included WA Forest Alliance representative Cassidy Newland and Peter Baldwin, the acting Director of the Conservation Commission of WA. They were accompanied by Mike Meinema and Steve Raper from CALM and Kevin Haylock from the Forest Products Commission.
The group visited the Balmoral block to the east of Jarrahdale townsite, where they inspected an area of old-growth forest, as well as a harvested coupe. They also visited Geddes block, east of the Albany Highway, that also has been harvested.
"Issues canvassed included dieback hygiene, soil damage and erosion, selection and protection of habitat trees, roads, flora and fauna management, water quality and catchment management and compliance with harvesting prescriptions," the Minister said.
"The inspection program is part of the State Government's commitment to provide representatives of the wider community with an opportunity to inspect operational aspects of timber harvesting and how it is managed.
"In this way, it will further the community's understanding of the relationship between timber harvesting and sustainable forest management."
Under the program, the community representatives are invited to nominate a particular coupe for in-forest inspection. A second coupe, selected at random from nearby compartments, also is inspected.
"The Government is strongly committed to the principles of ecologically sustainable forest management," Dr Edwards said.
Minister's office: 9220 5050