Chapter two - 2001-2002 Review of the 2020 vision and the outcomes of that review
Introduction
2.1
Plantations have existed as part of Australia's
forest landscape for more than a century. However, the plantation forestry
industry commenced major plantation development and growing programs in the
1950's. The area dedicated to plantations increased rapidly between 1950 and
1980, largely as a result of government investment designed to establish a
domestic softwood resource. Since 1990, the plantation estate - largely funded
by private investment - has increased by more than 50 percent and currently
totals 1.6 million hectares. Plantations
for Australia: The 2020 Vision outlines a shared government and industry
goal to further expand Australia's
plantation forests to 3 million hectares by the year 2020.[34]
2.2
The revised 2020
Vision can be regarded as a specific response to the changes that are
taking place in the industry and the challenges the industry faces. A recent Jaakko
Poyry report prepared for DAFF describes it
as a "practical charter endorsed by both the public and private
sectors" that is designed to:
... attract commercial investment from the global capital market
and domestic investors to treble the nation's plantation estate by the year
2020.[35]
2.3
The Committee was asked to take into account the
findings of the Private Forests Consultative Committee's review of the 2020 Vision when considering its terms
of reference.
2.4
The revised 2020
Vision strategy entitled Plantations
for Australia: The 2020 Vision was provided to the Committee in July 2003. The
document is referred to as the 2020
Vision throughout this report. A copy of the 2020 Vision document is included at Appendix 3.
2.5
This Chapter sets out the genesis of the 1997 document
and the revised document. It also outlines the principles of the two documents,
highlighting the differences between them.
Background to Preparation of 2020
Vision
2.6
The 2020 Vision
strategy arose from a decision taken at a meeting of the Ministerial Council on
Forestry Fisheries and Aquaculture (MCFFA) in July 1996. At that meeting, the Ministerial
Council endorsed the plantation industry’s stated aim to increase Australia’s
plantation estate and agreed to the setting of national goals aimed at trebling
Australia’s
plantation forest estate by 2020.
2.7
Following the Ministerial Council's endorsement of the
industry goal, the Standing Committee on Forestry (SCF) was requested by them
to develop an appropriate strategy to implement the Vision.[36]
2.8
The Standing Committee on Forestry (SCF) obtained
funding assistance from Australian Forest Growers (AFG), Plantations Australia,
and the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI). In November 1996, the
SCF engaged the Centre for International Economics (CIE) to prepare a report
and to assist in developing the strategy. The report, completed in March 1997,
provided the basis for the strategy subsequently developed by the Plantation
2020 Vision Implementation Committee (VIC) and published as Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision.
2.9
The VIC was representative
of both government and industry bodies, and included:
-
Ministerial Council on Forestry, Fisheries and
Aquaculture;
-
Standing Committee on Forestry [now the Forestry
and Farm Products Committee];
-
Plantations Australia [now the Plantation Timber
Association of Australia];
-
Australian Forest Growers; and
-
National Association of Forest Industries.
2.10
The 2020 Vision
was launched by the then Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. John
Anderson MP, in October 1997.
The Aims of the 1997 2020 Vision
2.11
The principal target of the 1997 2020 Vision was for a threefold increase in Australia’s
forest plantation estate by 2020. In 1996, the total area of Australian forest plantation
was 1.1 million hectares - including 964,000 hectares of softwood and 155,000
hectares of hardwood. The target for 2020 was accordingly set at 3.3 million
hectares of forest plantation. The achievement of this goal would require
plantings of 90,000 hectares per year.[37]
2.12
The 1997 2020
Vision strategy was based on an expectation that by 2020, plantation
forestry in Australia
would be a sustainable and profitable long rotation crop with significant
private sector investment.[38]
2.13
It was argued that global market conditions appear
favourable to the achievement of this goal and that global market assessments "point
to faster wood demand growth relative to supply over the next 25 years".[39] This argument
is based on:
-
a substantial decline in industrial wood
production in traditional, large production, northern hemisphere countries;
-
the projected growth in production in Australia,
New Zealand, Chile, Brazil and South Africa is not going to be enough to make
up the shortfall;
-
the shortfall of production relative to demand
is projected to be large;
-
the global wood fibre deficit will be closed by
upward pressure on wood fibre prices; and
-
the market price will be supported by a
continued decline in wood supply from the world’s native forests.[40]
2.14
While economic forecasts are positive, it is argued
that in order to achieve the principal target of the 2020 Vision,
Australia’s plantation
and processing industries will require the capacity to:
-
operate in global markets;
-
be internationally competitive; and
-
be commercially oriented, market driven and
market focused in their operations.[41]
2.15
The Vision is also described as "a working
partnership between the plantation growing and processing industries and
Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments (the Vision Partners)".[42] The purpose
of this collaboration is to attract the significant levels of private
investment needed to develop a plantation resource and ensure accelerated
plantation development by:
-
boosting availability of suitable land;
-
providing commercial incentives through a global focus and supportive commercial and
regulatory frameworks;
-
establishing a commercial plantations culture;
-
improving the provision of information to
farmers and growers on the benefits and resource potential of plantations; and
-
creating initiatives through a suitable taxation
environment, greater market access and economic information.[43]
2.16
In addition to outlining the actions to be taken to
achieve the strategy, a primary focus of the original 2020 Vision was identifying and overcoming (or removing) 'impediments'
to the development of plantation forestry. The challenges identified included:
-
local government planning restrictions;
-
taxation issues and legal questions over
ownership; and
-
attitudes and government policies;
-
lack of transparency in pricing and
uncompetitive processes;
-
agricultural land use procedures;
-
access to native forests;
-
information base for potential investors;
-
past practices and failures; and
-
research and development (R&D) performance.[44]
2.17
The structure of the 1997 2020 Vision revolved around a number of major strategies:
-
increasing the availability of suitable land;
-
identifying the most appropriate and effective
commercial incentives;
-
establishing a ‘plantations culture’; and
-
ensuring information flows.[45]
2.18
The 1997 2020 Vision
also outlined the potential benefits to the Australian economy, rural
communities and regional development in terms of economic potential and the
environment:
-
more than $3 billion to be invested to establish
new plantations by 2020 (mainly through private investment);
-
farm incomes would increase by 20%;
-
the trade deficit in wood and wood products
would be converted to a surplus; and
-
an increase of up to 40,000 jobs in rural areas
in plantation forestry and logging, wood products, transport, and flow-on from
exports and local processing.
-
CO2 sequestration benefits through the planting
of additional trees and varieties, resulting in less carbon tax;[46]
-
reduction in salinity and costs through
plantation revegetation; and
-
other landcare benefits through reductions in
wind and soil erosion.[47]
The 1997 2020 Vision - Progress
Reports
2.19
Reports on progress made under the 1997 2020 Vision were produced in June 1999
and October 2000. The progress reports recorded that plantation areas had
significantly increased in all states and territories, with the primary new
planting being blue gum hardwood varieties. Western
Australia was identified as a major growth area, with
an increase in plantation areas of 89 percent. An increase in hardwood
plantations generally was reported, with an increase from 15 percent of the
total in 1994 to 29 percent in 1999.[48]
2.20
The progress reports also identified a number of issues
that required change to maximise plantation development, including taxation,
environmental and local government issues.
Taxation
2.21
The October 2000 Progress Report noted that there was a
"generally accepted view amongst industry and government in Australia
that direct financial incentives should not be used to encourage plantation
expansion".[49]
The report states that this view is based on the belief that a 'free market' or
'level playing field' would result in the most efficient allocation of resources.
2.22
The report also
referred to government and industry concerns about direct financial incentives
for plantation establishment having the potential to attract inferior operators
"and allow the establishment of plantations in inappropriate locations or
with sub-optimal management practices".[50] It also
referred to continuing perceptions held by some sections of the community that
the immediate tax deductibility provisions for plantations could provide an
unfair advantage for those investing in plantations.
Environment
2.23
Since the release of the 1997 2020 Vision, a number of concerns have been raised by local
governments and community organisations in regions where major plantation
development has occurred. Issues raised include the possible adverse impacts of
plantation forestry on the environment including net loss of biodiversity. The
use of chemicals, the control of animal pests and noxious weeds and soil
productivity are cited as possible problems.[51] While the 1997
2020 Vision anticipates potential
environmental benefits from plantations such as a reduction in salinity,
concerns were also raised in relation to water resource issues. Based on assertions
that plantation trees absorb more water than other crops, water resource
concerns focused on whether there is adequate water to support both sustainable
agriculture and forestry plantations.
2.24
Whilst most sState gGovernments
have conducted some preliminary studies in relation to plantation suitability
and capability, the need for additional research and a more co-ordinated,
national, approach to data collection is acknowledged. A recent Bureau of Rural
Sciences (BRS) report - Plantation potential studies in Australia: an assessment of current status - identified gaps in the coverage of
plantation potential studies and argued that consideration needs to be given to
how these gaps should be addressed.[52]
Role of
Local Government
2.25
A Conference - sponsored by Plantations Australia and
the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) - was held in Canberra
in May 1998. The Conference agenda focussed on forestry issues, with representatives
from more than 40 local government bodies, the plantation growing and
processing industries, state and Commonwealth bodies as well as Regional
Plantation Committees (RPCs) attending the conference.
2.26
The October 2000 Progress Report documented issues
raised - both during the Conference and subsequently - by local governments and
community organisations, particularly those in regions where plantation
development has been expanding rapidly. The concerns included:
-
impacts on road and bridge infrastructure
(particularly local roads and bridges);
-
demographic changes (including depopulation and
movement from rural areas to regional centres);
-
changes to the nature of fire fighting, and the
capacity of rural fire brigades to cope;
-
impacts on tourism and regional amenity values;
-
environmental costs and benefits of plantations,
including the application of chemicals, plantation water use, control of pests
and noxious weeds and soil productivity; and
-
changes in land use impacting on traditional
agricultural industries.[53]
2.27
Delegates noted that, as a result of these issues,
there has been some opposition from within communities to land which has traditionally
been used for agricultural production being used for commercial timber
production. It was argued that such concerns have resulted in a range of statutory
planning restrictions, and in some local government areas has reduced the
availability of suitable land for plantation development. The report noted that
these concerns were not shared by all delegates, with some local government representatives
expressing strong support for land owners being able to make their own choices
in relation to land use - provided it was sustainable and did not lead to land
degradation.[54]
2.28
The 1997 2020 Vision
stated that one of the first steps in responding to such concerns is to develop
an information package and consult with local governments. Reference is made to
the study entitled Local government’s
role in Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision: Issues and Directions, which asserted that local
governments "are only marginally interested in plantations as they form a
small proportion of their work program".[55]
2.29
As a result of the October 2000 Progress Report, the
Plantations 2020 Implementation Committee agreed to facilitate local government
participation in the further planning, development and implementation of the 2020 Vision. The Commonwealth also
provided funding for an ALGA project to establish a network of local councils
with interests in the future expansion of the plantation timber industry.[56]
2001-2002 Review of the 1997 2020
Vision
Decision
to Review the 1997 2020 Vision
2.30
In October 2000, the Forestry and Forest Products
Committee (FFPC) - formerly the Standing Committee on Forests - called for a
major review of the 2020 Vision. The
review was a response to the requirement that the 1997 2020 Vision be evaluated after five years. The review was also
required to address a number of issues that had arisen since the implementation
of the Vision and the expansion of Australia’s plantation estate, including:
-
issues relating to the social and environmental changes
being experienced by communities in areas where plantations developed rapidly;
-
maximising the potential economic and
environmental benefits of plantations through market development, and
integrating growers and processors;
-
the change in the plantation estate from public
to private ownership (only 25% of the resource established since 1990 is wholly
publicly owned); and
-
the contribution to the resource by farm
foresters.[57]
2.31
The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry (DAFF) told the Committee that an additional objective of the
review was to "ensure that the 2020
Vision maintained its relevance to the changing needs of the
industry."[58]
The resulting review, conducted by the Private Forestry Consultative Committee
(PFCC), was aimed at:
-
providing a strategy that is more relevant to
the emerging needs of the industry;
-
ensuring that a variety of factors [other than
taxation incentives], such as regional development, environmental benefits, and
an appropriate regulatory environment, encourage investment in plantations;
-
removing impediments that remain, particularly with
regard to uncertainty over rights, to plant, manage, harvest and trade
plantations; and
-
providing a role for community participation in
the ongoing development of the plantation resource.[59]
Conduct of
the Review
Consultation
2.32
As an initial step, a national stakeholders’ workshop
was held on 15 February 2001.
A ‘national consultation’ process was undertaken between November 2001 and
March 2002 to obtain public input into the revised 2020 Vision document.
2.33
The PFCC subsequently organised a number of public
forums in each of Australia’s
major plantation-growing regions, both to raise awareness of the review being
undertaken into the 2020 Vision and
to actively seek comment on revisions that might be necessary to the 1997 2020 Vision.
2.34
The Committee was advised by the then National Strategy
Co-ordinator of Plantations for
Australia: the 2020 Vision, Mr Rod
Bristow, that:
-
over thirty meetings and
presentations were conducted in both capital cities and regional areas - all
organised with the assistance of relevant Regional Plantation Committees, State
co-ordinators and members of the PFCC;
-
representatives of a wide range of interest groups
(approximately 1,000 people) were invited to attend such meetings;
-
some 430 people accepted invitations,
participated in meetings, raised issues of concern, and provided comment on the
updated draft of the 2020 Vision; and
-
the PFCC received some 54 written submissions
from community groups, government agencies, industry groups and government
agencies.
2.35
The timetable followed in conducting the review of the
1997 2020 Vision is as follows:
Timetable Followed in the Vision 2020 Review Process
Date
|
Activity
|
October 2000
|
The Forestry and Forest Products Committee (formerly the Standing Committee on Forestry) requested the Private
Forestry Consultative Committee to undertake a review of Plantations
for Australia:
The 2020 Vision.
|
15
February 2001
|
National
Stakeholders' Workshop, Melbourne
Workshop was facilitated by Professor Peter Kanowski. During the workshop, a number of versions of the revised 2020 Vision document were circulated
amongst government and industry stakeholders.
|
November 2001 - March 2002
|
Process
of national consultation undertaken
Consultation process undertaken seeking
public input into a revised draft strategy. 33 public hearings held in 29
locations in capitals and plantation-growing regions in all States and
Territories. Meetings were organised with the assistance of relevant Regional
Plantation Committees, their State co-ordinators and members of
the PFCC
Written submissions (54) received from
individuals, communities, organisations, forestry companies and government
agencies.
PFCC further review the content, structure
and direction of the 2020 Vision
document.
|
May 2002
|
PFCC
approved the Revised 2020 Vision
Industry Vision partners also give
'in-principle' support to the revised Vision, subject to minor changes being
made.
|
July 2002
|
Forestry
and Forest
Products Committee
endorsed the revised Vision document
|
October 2002
|
Primary
Industries Ministerial Council endorsed the revised Vision 2020
|
14
March 2003
|
Private
Forestry Consultative Committee
approved minor amendments to 2020
Vision
Minor amendments made at request of
industry to convert 'in-principle' support to 'full' support.
|
Post 14 March 2003
|
Consultation
undertaken by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
DAFF consulted with:
Department of Environment and Heritage
Department of Finance and Administration
Department of Education Science and
Training
Department of Transport and Regional
Services
Treasury; and
Department of Industry, Tourism and
Resources
|
10
October 2003
|
Meeting
between Industry and Government stakeholders in the 2020 Vision
Final wording to be included in the revised
2020 Vision was agreed.
|
November 2003
|
Revised
2020 Vision released on the
Plantations 2020 Vision website
|
2.36
The Committee was
advised by the Forestry and Forest Products Committee
(FFPC) that this consultation process revealed the following key issues:
-
a need for more effective communication about
the plantation sector;
-
a need for greater certainty about the
plantation sector’s future direction;
-
stakeholder participation and ‘ownership’ of the
Vision should be broadened;
-
better mechanisms to enable local government engagement
in the 2020 Vision and both the
Commonwealth and the States to respond positively to local government needs;
-
a revised 2020
Vision should contain actions with more emphasis on present and future
needs (if it is to maintain its relevance and value). For example, enhanced
community benefits, environmental services, the contribution of farm
plantations and the development of markets and market access; and
-
criteria are needed to demonstrate whether the
responses to the 2020 Vision actions
are delivering effective outcomes for stakeholders.[60]
Review of
the Role of Regional Plantation Committees (RPCs)
2.37
In 1996, Regional Plantation Committees (RPCs) were
established by DAFF as part of its Farm Forestry Program. The RPCs, based in
the main plantation regions, were developed to promote wood production on
cleared agricultural land, to integrate commercial tree growing with other
agricultural land uses and to promote tree planting for production of wood and
non-wood products.[61]
2.38
In November 2001, the PFCC appointed a working group to
review RPCs. The review group was asked to:
(a)
identify whether there was a
need to maintain a network of plantations and private forestry committees; and
(b)
to identify future funding options for the national
framework of RPCs.
2.39
The RPC review was finalised in June 2002 with the
release of Regional Plantation Committees: Review of Rationale and Options for
Future Funding. It argued that RPCs have a central role to play in
the future development of the plantation industry and that they are integral to
the "achievement of regional and community focused outcomes".[62] The review
also acknowledged that RPCs are important for providing a national industry
co-ordination network dedicated to increasing the potential for economic
development in regional areas and increasing the commercial plantation estate
enabling industry to expand and remain world competitive.
2.40
Importantly for a future consultation/promotion
process, the review also concluded that:
The RPC’s continue to be important
delivery agents for the Farm Forestry Program, and are key collaborators in the
implementation of the Plantations for Australia:
the Vision 2020. Their activities are consistent with the objectives of the Forest
and Wood Products Industry Action Agenda and they have the potential to further
contribute to activities under the Action Agenda. They have been pivotal in the
collection of data for inventory compilation to meet regional development needs
and the Commonwealth’s reporting obligations.[63]
2.41
The review finally noted that with the increasing
regional focus of natural resource management programs, the National Action
Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust, RPCs are
providing a much needed regional presence.
2.42
Also highlighted was the problem of long-term funding
support for the national RPC network. In 2002-03 the Commonwealth funded RPCs
under the interim arrangements of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) Extension.
2.43
Following the review the RPC's became the Private Forestry
Development Committees (PFDC).
The Revised 2020 Vision
2.44
By May 2002 the PFCC,
which includes representatives of Commonwealth, State and Territory governments
and the plantation forestry industry (Plantation Timber Association Australia
(PTAA), Australian Forest Growers (AFG) and the National Association of Forest
Industries (NAFI) had completed their work. The industry commenced
consideration of the revised 2020 Vision
document. In principle support, subject to minor amendments being made was
given by Industry Vision Partners in May 2002. The plantation industry endorsed
the 2002 review of the 2020 Vision on
29
July 2002. [64]
Ministerial
Council Adoption of Revised 2020 Vision
2.45
The Primary Industries Ministerial Council endorsed the
revised 2020 Vision document on 10 October 2002.[65]
2.46
The Record and Resolutions of the meeting on the 2020 Vision document noted:
Over half a million hectares of new plantations have been
established since 1996, over 70% with private capital. This increase in private
ownership has significantly increased investment opportunities and developed a
more competitive industry. Of the total plantation resource, 5% is now
contributed directly by farm foresters, and around 20% by farm foresters
participating with industrial growers through leasehold and joint venture
arrangements.
The vast expansion of plantations has brought a number of
matters to the forefront which the Vision partners will be required to address
including social and environmental changes, market development, the transition
from public to private ownership, and the contribution by farm foresters. One
role of governments has been to remove impediments that discriminate against
forestry development when compared with other agricultural land uses.[66]
2.47
The 2002 review indicates that under the 2020 Vision the following has occurred:
-
over half a million hectares of new plantations
have been established;
-
over 70% of all new plantations have been
established with private capital; and
-
the increase in private
ownership of plantations has significantly increased investment opportunities
and developed a more competitive industry.
2.48
Whilst maintaining that impediments remain, the revised
2020 Vision takes a positive view of
the future potential of the industry. Forecasts include:
-
A total of $3 billion of mainly private capital
is anticipated to be invested to establish plantations between 1997 and 2020;
-
Farm incomes are anticipated to increase by 20%,
and farm forestry in high rainfall zones could contribute up to $664 million
annually to farm incomes;
-
With appropriate follow-on investment in
processing infrastructure, the current $2 billion trade deficit in wood and
wood products could be converted into a surplus;
-
Positive environmental outcomes are anticipated
to emanate from well-planned and implemented plantations, comprised of a mix of
farm forestry, joint venture plantings and broad scale activities; and
-
Up to 40,000 jobs are anticipated to be created
in rural areas, including:
-
jobs in plantation forestry and harvesting;
-
jobs from a 50% expansion in domestic processing
of wood products;
-
jobs from the flow-on effects of overall growth
in exports and local processing of wood.[67]
2.49
The PFCC approved minor amendments to the 2020 Vision in March 2003. Further
consultation was undertaken with Commonwealth government departments following
the approval of the amendments. The final wording to the document was agreed
between industry and government stakeholders in October 2003.
2.50
The Committee was provided with a pre-print of the Draft
in July 2003. The final 2020 Vision
document was available on the Plantations 2020 website in November 2003.[68]
Structure of the Revised 2020 Vision
Difference
from 1997 2020 Vision
2.51
DAFF told the Committee that the review of the 1997 2020 Vision has resulted in a refocusing
of the Vision's approach: "the revised 2020
Vision recognises that the future of the industry lies in its capacity to
maximise economic, environmental and social opportunities".[69]
2.52
In line with the change in focus, the format and
content of the revised 2020 Vision
varies considerably from the original 1997 2020
Vision. The revised 2020 Vision placed
an increased emphasis on the 'vision' element of the strategy and is much less
prescriptive than the 1997 2020 Vision.
The goals outlined in the revised 2020
Vision are very general in nature.
2.53
The working structure of the revised 2020 Vision (which is outlined on page 7
of the Vision document) includes a set of seven overarching 'principles':
statements that outline the Vision's values in relation to issues such as
business principles, competitive neutrality, state financial involvement in
plantations, microeconomic and macroeconomic reform and industry
competitiveness, particularly at a global level.
2.54
The revised 2020
Vision places particular emphasis on the Vision as a national strategy,
with shared responsibilities for its implementation. It is proposed that
overall co-ordination of the Vision strategy will be the responsibility of the
National Plantations Strategy Co-ordinator, a position that is supported by the
Vision Partners. The Commonwealth's role is described as "primarily one of
providing leadership and clear and consistent policies that support plantation
development".[70]
Industry and State governments have a specific role to play in working with
stakeholders (particularly those in plantation growing and processing regions)
in order to determine the most appropriate structures for implementing Vision actions.
2.55
The Vision's
management structures are clearly outlined as part of the Framework. The PFCC
of the Forest and Forest Products Committee is responsible
for overseeing the implementation of the strategy (in consultation with other
stakeholders and experts).
2.56
The issue of accountability is given greater emphasis
in the revised 2020 Vision. The
Framework outlines responsibilities in relation to accountability, monitoring
and evaluation as follows:
-
industry is accountable to the executives and
boards of the major forest industry groups - PTAA, AFG and NAFI - for
implementing the Vision strategy;
-
each year industry will report on its progress
through these industry groups;
-
the Commonwealth and State governments will
report to the Primary Industries Ministerial Council on progress towards the
Vision;
-
the National Plantations Strategy Co-ordinator
will prepare an annual report as soon as possible after 30 June each year,
reporting on progress in relation to implementing the Vision actions;
-
progress towards the notional plantation area
target will be reported through the National Plantation Inventory's annual
tabular reports and major five-yearly reports on Australia's plantation
resource; and
-
the 2020
Vision Framework will be reviewed every five years and revised as
considered necessary, with the next review and revision to be completed by the
end of 2007.[71]
General
Goals of the 2020 Vision
2.57
The revised 2020
Vision includes a number of generalised goals to support the overarching
principle of the Vision strategy to:
... enhance regional wealth creation and international
competitiveness through a sustainable increase in Australia's
plantation resources, based on a notional target of trebling the area of
commercial tree crops by 2020.[72]
2.58
The 2020 Vision
states that "returning trees to the landscape as a profitable crop"[73] will provide
significant benefits to rural and regional communities as well as the
environment. It is also argued that there has been an increase in investment in
forest-based processing industries which has, in turn, had a positive impact on
rural and regional communities. An underlying goal of the Vision is an attempt
to maintain the levels of plantation establishment to enable investment trends to
continue, and to deliver benefits to rural and regional communities (including
employment growth).
2.59
However, the 2020
Vision also notes that an increase in plantation area is only one measure
of the success of the 2020 Vision. It
argues that:
The quality, product mix, location and management of the
plantation resource will also be vital to the delivery of maximum social,
economic and environmental benefits to Australia.[74]
2.60
The Vision strategy acknowledges the role plantations
play in communities and encourages those involved in the Vision partnership to
address issues relating to the social and environmental changes being
experienced by communities, particularly those where plantations have developed
rapidly. The Vision's goal also includes providing a role for community and
stakeholder organisations in the on going development of the plantation
resource.
2.61
The PFDCs have maintained responsibility for regional
liaison. In addition to consulting with industry and local and state
governments on regional planning, the PFDCs are also responsible for the
collection and dissemination of information.
2.62
Vision Partners are also encouraged to take a "proactive
role in developing plantation solutions that balance environmental issues with
the needs of industry and the community to deliver sustainable outcomes for the
future".[75]
Specific
New Strategic Elements Making up the Revised 2020 Vision
2.63
The revised 2020
Vision contains five 'Strategic Elements' which represent the primary
targets and actions required to implement the Vision strategy.
2.64
Each 'Strategic Element' has a principal goal under a set
of specific headings, which are:
1.
The Policy Framework
2.
The Regulatory Framework
3.
Investment Growth
4.
Social and Environmental Factors
5.
Monitoring and Review
2.65
Listed under each 'Strategic Element' are a series of detailed
strategic statements. Each strategic statement incorporates a list of 'Actions'
and list of specific activities or initiatives to be carried out.
2.66
Each set of 'Actions' has accompanying information
regarding 'Responsibility' and 'Expected Outcomes'. The National Strategy
Co-ordinator is shown as having principal responsibility for the implementation
of each of the 'Actions' (acting unilaterally or in conjunction with others).
'Responsibility' for particular 'Actions' has also been devolved to various
organisations including:
-
Commonwealth, State and Local government bodies;
-
Private Forestry Development Committees (PFDC's);
-
Research and Development organisations;
-
Catchment Management Authorities and Catchment
Management Boards;
-
Industry organisations (including AFG, PTAA,
NAFI); and
-
Forestry, farming and landcare representative
bodies.
Conclusion
2.67
The Committee notes the long and ongoing process that
has resulted in the revised 2020 Vision
document. The revised document seeks to build on the 1997 version and focuses
on the future the industry rather than on impediments to its development. It
also provides accountability, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This
framework, if actively implemented, will strengthen the further development of
the industry. The Committee notes that there has been an exponential growth in
the forest industry and that this rate of growth is not be sustainable in the
long term.
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The Committee also notes the work of the PFDCs
envisaged by the revised 2020 Vision
may be interrupted if further funding is not forthcoming. The Committee was
advised that the Natural Heritage Ministerial Board (NHMB) made a decision
regarding RPC (the predecessor bodies) funding (for the financial year 2003-04)
in September 2003. At that time, the NHMB allocated $1.235 million to RPCs
under the national component of the Natural Heritage Trust. The Committee notes
that the Commonwealth is yet to determine the most appropriate funding model
for PFDCs (formerly RPCs) in the longer term.