West Victorian Regional Forest Agreement
The West Victorian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) is one of five RFAs in Victoria. The Australian and Victorian governments originally signed the West Victorian RFA on 31 March 2000, establishing the framework for the sustainable management of the forests in the West Victorian RFA region.
The West Victorian RFA was varied on 30 March 2020 with an extension until 30 June 2030 (see Media Release), as it has proven to be a strong and effective framework for the sustainable management of the West Victorian RFA region’s forests. The extension was formalised following assessment, public consultation and independent review.
The extensions to the Victorian RFAs deliver the right balance of economic, social and environmental outcomes, paving the way for the continued sustainable management of the state’s public and private native forests and plantation estates.
The West Victorian RFA variation includes two Annexures: Annexure 1 is the RFA marked up with the changes that have been made; Annexure 2 is a ‘clean’ version of the RFA as varied without the mark up.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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2020 West Victorian RFA variation PDF![]() |
238 | 3.8 MB |
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The updated West Victorian Land Tenure and Zoning Map (December 2019) identifies the extent of the comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system in the West Victorian RFA region.
A report has been prepared to summarise the key changes that have been made to the Victorian RFAs as part of the modernisation and extension process.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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Modernised Victorian RFAs – what’s changed![]() |
2 | 32 |
Major Event Review
The RFAs provide a framework for the continued sustainable management of Victoria’s forests and forest-based wildlife.
The 2019-20 bushfires have had significant impacts on forests, biodiversity, forestry industries and regional communities. The Australian and Victorian governments have agreed that, as a consequence of the 2019-20 bushfires in Victoria, a Major Event Review (MER) of the Victorian RFAs will be undertaken.
The MER will be undertaken by an independent panel and informed by current information including scientific data and research, community perspectives, and Traditional Owner insights relating to the impacts of the bushfires on the RFA regions.
As part of the MER process, there will be an opportunity for public consultation. More information on consultation will be provided shortly.
Scoping Agreement
The MER commences on signing of the Scoping Agreement, which outlines agreed arrangements for undertaking the review. The signed Scoping Agreement can be found here:
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Document | Pages | File size |
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Major Event Review Scoping Agreement PDF ![]() |
12 | 4.4 MB |
Major Event Review Scoping Agreement DOCX ![]() |
12 | 64 KB |
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The 2000 West Victorian RFA
The Australian and Victorian governments signed the original West Victorian RFA on 31 March 2000. The agreement was for a duration of 20 years and was due to expire on 31 March 2020.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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West Victorian RFA PDF ![]() |
69 | 275 KB |
West Victorian RFA DOC ![]() |
69 | 743 KB |
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The West Victorian Land Use Maps identified the extent of the comprehensive adequate and representative reserve system in the West Victorian RFA region at the time of signing.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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Land Use Map 1 (March 2000) PDF ![]() |
1 | 1.4 MB |
Land Use Map 2 (March 2000) PDF ![]() |
1 | 2.2 MB |
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Assessment of RFA matters
To inform the extension of the Victorian RFAs, the Australian and Victorian governments undertook a further assessment of forest-related environmental, social and economic values in the Victorian RFA regions.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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Assessment of matters pertaining to the extension of the Victorian RFAs PDF![]() |
415 | 10.13 MB |
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Joint Victorian and Australian Government Consultation
The Australian and Victorian Governments jointly undertook extensive public consultation from 3 May to 7 July 2019 to inform the negotiation of extensions to Victoria’s 5 RFAs, including holding over 45 face to face events between 3 June and 7 July.
In total, 135 written submissions and 733 online survey responses were received, and over 330 participants took part in the face to face engagement sessions.
An independent report on the consultation outcomes across all 5 of Victoria’s RFA regions was released in December 2019.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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Independent Report on Joint Consultation on Modernisation of the Victorian Regional Forest Agreements PDF ![]() |
95 | 1.9 MB |
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A more detailed summary report of input and discussion at the engagement events was also independently prepared for each RFA region. The West Victorian regional report is published below.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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Consultation Summary Report – West Victorian RFA PDF ![]() |
38 | 1.4 MB |
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A report has been prepared to summarise how changes to modernise the Victorian RFAs have addressed the feedback received throughout the consultation process.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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How modernised Victorian RFAs address consultation feedback DOCX ![]() |
10 | 56 KB |
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Memorandum of Understanding for extension of the Victorian RFAs
On 5 May 2018, the Victorian and Australian governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that long term extensions and updates to the Victorian RFA framework could be agreed by 31 March 2020.
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Document | Pages | File size |
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MoU for the extension of the Victorian RFAs PDF ![]() |
8 | 1.17 MB |
MoU for the extension of the Victorian RFAs DOCX ![]() |
8 | 72 KB |
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Victorian RFAs five-yearly reviews
It is a requirement of the West Victorian RFA that its performance is reviewed every five years. The details of the West Victorian RFA review process is outlined in the agreement.
The Victorian Government has reported on its five RFAs collectively:
- Victorian RFAs: five and ten yearly reviews (combined) (from the RFAs respective signing dates to 30 June 2009)
- Victorian RFAs: third five-yearly review (1 July 2009 to 30 June 2014)
Historical Publications
Many historical publications informed the development of the West Victorian RFA and continue to underpin the management of forests covered by the agreement.
[expand all]
Comprehensive Regional Assessments:
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Directions or Options Report:
Document | Pages | File size |
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West Victoria Regional Forest Agreement Consultation Paper (January 2000) PDF ![]() |
134 | 541 KB |
Chapter 4 Forest Industries Enclosure PDF ![]() |
23 | 86 KB |
Updates to West Regional Forest Agreement Consultation Papers PDF ![]() |
1 | 15 KB |
Chapter 4 Forest Industries - Addendum PDF ![]() |
11 | 39 KB |
Erratum 1 - Chapter 4, Page 19 PDF ![]() |
1 | 4 KB |
Erratum 2 - Page 28, Table 3.2b PDF ![]() |
18 | 104 KB |
Appendix 4 - Summary of the Water Forum PDF ![]() |
3 | 10 KB |
Issues Raised During Public Consultations - Addendum PDF ![]() |
2 | 10 KB |
Midlands & Otways PDF ![]() |
1 | 1.4 MB |
Portland & Horsham PDF ![]() |
1 | 984 KB |
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Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management Report:
Document | Pages | File size |
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Victorian Statewide Assessment of Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (July 1997) PDF ![]() |
90 | 581 KB |
Victorian Statewide Assessment of Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (July 1997) DOC ![]() |
90 | 1.8 MB |
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Environment Reports:
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Factsheets:
Comprehensive Regional Assessment factsheets:
Document | Pages | File size |
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Background (no date) PDF ![]() |
3 | 13 KB |
Background (no date) DOC ![]() |
3 | 26 KB |
Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (no date) PDF ![]() |
2 | 12 KB |
Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (no date) DOC ![]() |
2 | 25 KB |
Environment and Heritage (no date) PDF ![]() |
2 | 10 KB |
Environment and Heritage (no date) DOC ![]() |
2 | 23 KB |
Jobs and forest industries (no date) PDF ![]() |
3 | 11 KB |
Jobs and forest industries (no date) DOC ![]() |
3 | 26 KB |
People and Communities (no date) PDF ![]() |
3 | 14 KB |
People and Communities (no date) DOC ![]() |
3 | 29 KB |
The West RFA Region (no date) PDF ![]() |
2 | 7 KB |
The West RFA Region (no date) DOC ![]() |
2 | 21 KB |
Water (no date) PDF ![]() |
1 | 8 KB |
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Regional Forest Agreement factsheets:
Document | Pages | File size |
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Background to the RFA (no date) PDF ![]() |
2 | 27 KB |
Environment and Heritage (no date) PDF ![]() |
3 | 32 KB |
Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (no date) PDF ![]() |
2 | 29 KB |
Jobs and Forest Industries (no date) PDF ![]() |
3 | 30 KB |
Tourism and Recreation (no date) PDF ![]() |
2 | 26 KB |
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Resource Reports:
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Social Report:
Document | Pages | File size |
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Social Assessment Report (December 1999) PDF ![]() |
172 | 902 KB |
Heywood PDF ![]() |
1 | 363 KB |
Colac PDF ![]() |
1 | 360 KB |
Daylesford PDF ![]() |
1 | 360 KB |
Dunkeld PDF ![]() |
1 | 360 KB |
Apollo Bay PDF ![]() |
1 | 345 KB |
Ballarat PDF ![]() |
1 | 360 KB |
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Annual Reports
Annual Reports were required for the first five years of each RFA. Victoria reported on their RFAs collectively in these reports:
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