Minister opens conversation about future of South West forests

Margaret River’s forest activists will be sharpening their pencils at news consultation is about to get underway for the next South West forest management plan. The public feedback period will give pundits the chance to again try and move the State Government on concerns about WA’s prescribed burning regime and definitions around “old growth” at the centre of contentious claims the State’s forests are being logged at a financial loss. Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson announced the mandated review to inform the 2024-33 Forest Management Plan on Tuesday. “The Forest Management Plan is crucial to the protection and management of our South West forests into the future,” she said. “With the ever-increasing impacts of climate change on our native forests, and given the high level of community interest in their use, now is the time to start seeking the public’s input into the future plan.” The survey closes on August 1 via wabsi.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/wa-forests.