Eminent lawyer to assess forest management appeals

Environment Minister Jim McGinty will break from tradition and use an innovative process to consider appeals against proposed changes to the management of Western Australia's forests by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. 

Mr McGinty said an eminent member of the legal community, Thomas Barnett OBE, had been appointed to consider any public appeals which had been lodged following the Environmental Protection Authority's assessment report of the CALM forest management plan. 

The management plan covers a number of issues including improved conservation measures, new national parks and changes to timber harvesting operations. 

"The EPA has assessed the CALM strategies; however, the issue of timber harvesting remains contentious," Mr McGinty said. 

"Under current practices, any appeals against the EPA's recommendations would be considered by me with advice from the Authority itself. 

"The recent review of the Environmental Protection Act, however, suggested a more open process involving the appointment of an independent Commissioner for the Environment to consider appeals. 

"Mr Barnett's appointment, while providing me with independent and dispassionate advice on the appeals to the EPA decision, will also give me an idea of how the review committee's recommendation may work in practice. 

"Mr Barnett is a senior member of the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal and served as the sole Royal Commissioner inquiring into the operations of the Papua New Guinea Timber Industry from 1987-1989." 

Mr McGinty said the appointment was an effort to promote mediation and rational debate on a contentious issue such as timber harvesting and forest management. 

"The use of Mr Barnett will hopefully also provide a model for dispute resolution in the future," he said.

Mr McGinty said it was important that the issue be dealt with expeditiously and Mr Barnett would report back to him early next month.