PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON DRAFT NORTHERN FORESTS MANAGEMENT PLAN

"ForestrySA is committed to the on-going sustainable management of the ForestrySA Plantations and Native Forests in the Mid-North of South Australia. There is no current management plan for the Northern Forests so an overarching plan for the management of these lands has been drafted titled the “Northern Forests Forest Management Plan.”

The plan sets out ForestrySA’s management approach for the Northern Forests - primarily the Wirrabara and Bundaleer Forest Reserves. The plan also considers four smaller reserves of Yarcowie, Leighton, Crystal Brook and Red Hill.

The plan seeks to provide external audiences with a summary of the values and issues in ForestrySA’s Northern Forests.

Input is now being sought from community and volunteer groups, adjoining landholders, indigenous groups, government agencies and local government that may seek to add value to the draft plan.

The Northern Forests contribute to the commercial function of the Mid-North economy, but their real value is as ‘Community Forests’ reflecting their significance as a recreational and conservation resource with significant heritage qualities. Bundaleer Forest Reserve occupies a special place in history as it is the birthplace of plantation forestry in Australia with the first trial plantings occurring in 1876.

The draft plan is open for comment until 15 August 2008 and comments should be included on the accompanying feedback form.

For further information contact Jackie Crampton, ForestrySA-Conservation & Recreation Planner on 8291 5415."

If you have thoughts, concerns or comments about the Plan, you may find it beneficial to discuss any issues in this post in our Forum, in addition to submitting a formal Feedback Form to ForestrySA.

Downloads - The Draft Management Plan & Feedback Form