Communiqué – 29 June 2023
The fourth WA RFA Annual Meeting of Officials took place by videoconference on 29 June 2023. The meeting was attended by officials from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF); the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW); the WA Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA); and the WA Forest Products Commission (FPC).
On 29 March 2019, the WA RFA was varied to include improvements and a rolling 20-year extension by the Parties. In accordance with the requirements of the varied RFA clauses 8B and 8C, the Parties held an annual meeting to monitor the implementation of the WA RFA and discuss any matters or issues that had arisen since the last meeting.
Officials discussed updates and progress on a range of matters relating to changes to the WA Forest Management System that had occurred since the last annual meeting. This included an update on:
- the expected finalisation and gazettal of the Forest Management Plan (FMP) 2024 2033
- proposed ecological thinning operations
- the implications of the WA Government’s decision to cease native forest harvesting on the future of the WA RFA
Officials discussed ecological thinning operations proposed under the FMP, changes to the comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system, listed species and communities, and changing research priorities. Of particular note were ongoing research into the impacts of climate change and new techniques for data collection and monitoring forest health.
WA officials provided an overview of progress on the softwood plantation expansion program, the potential impact of cessation of commercial native timber harvesting on public lands and an update on compliance, including the planned upgrades to the Disturbance Approval System.
DCCEEW provided Western Australia with an update on the development of National Environmental Standards and the consultation process for their application to RFAs.
DAFF provided an update on timelines for the national State of the Forest Report and noted that it will move to online-first reporting. This change will mean that reporting on individual indicators will occur as information becomes available rather than five yearly.
Officials discussed the process that will be used to support the five yearly review in 2024, as required by clauses 8D, 8E and 8F of the WA RFA. The discussion focused on the timing of the review, risk management mitigation, a draft Communications Plan and a draft of the Scoping Agreement that was circulated by DAFF for comment.
Officials agreed that the next annual meeting will not be held in 2024 as this is the year when a review will be in progress and the WA RFA does not require a meeting during this time.