VAGO Native Forest Management Report…

Victoria has 7.14 million hectares of native forest on public land.

This report looked at whether those native forest timber

resources on public land were being managed productively and

sustainably by DEPI, Vic Forests and Treasury.

DECEMBER 2013

It seems the Auditor General was pretty happy

with many aspects of forestry management, but

that it was only as good as it’s weakest link.

DEPI was that weakest link.

There are 9 recommendations for DEPI, most of

which stem from a lack of planning and

transparency as regulator of forest use.

WHAT DOES IT SAY.

DECEMBER 2013

There was uncertainty with all the inquiry questions:

• is there adequate progress towards sustainability

goals?

• is timber being harvested at a sustainable rate?

• is harvesting being managed to protect forest

values?

• is harvesting profitable and supporting regional

communities?

Long term planning and performance indicators were

not strong enough to provide clear answers to any.

WHAT ELSE DOES IT SAY.

DECEMBER 2013

The auditor indicates that DEPI should be providing

the leadership for VicForest on these matters, and

hence attributes most responsibility for

improvement to DEPI.

This may be a bit hard on DEPI.

If VicForests or Treasury had adopted integrated

reporting, in line with some private sector

industries, they may have been able to clarify some

of the issues without the need for regulatory

leadership.

WHAT ELSE DOES IT SAY.

DECEMBER 2013

• DEPI seem to receive the poorest report card, so expect significant change in planning and reporting from them over the next 12 months.

• Victorian Treasury still seem to be only follow financial performance when analysing effectiveness of investments.

• Forestry in Victoria is difficult to regulate.

The comments on these slides are the views of Tim Kirby, Sydney.

You should always read the report itself before putting your reputation, or any money, on the line.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN.

Tim Kirby, Sydney CA, CIA, LA-EMS

au.linkedin.com/in/timkirbysydney

DECEMBER 2013