Statewide Planning
The Environment Conservation Council (ECC) has been given the task of proposing an appropriate system for the protection and management of Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands in Victoria including parts of the North Central region (ECC, 2000). This report identifies and evaluates the extent, condition, values and uses of the Box-Ironbark forests and woodland areas and makes recommendations on the balanced use of these areas.
There are five Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) for the State of Victoria, but only one overlaps slightly into the North Central region. Small areas near Avoca, Daylesford and Kyneton fall within the boundaries of the West Victoria Regional Forest Agreement (external link). Other RFAs do not overlap with the North Central region.
Reserves
Parks Victoria (external link) is responsible for the management of reserved areas in Victoria. All National and State Parks are managed according to park management plans, which aim to establish the long term framework to protect important conservation values of these areas and to provide visitor opportunities. The following State Parks have reserve management plans:
- Kamarooka and Whipstick State Parks
- Kara Kara State Parks
- Kooyoora State Park
- Terrick Terrick State Park
Responsibility for the management of state forests in the region rests with the Department of Sustainability and Environment's (DSE) Forests Division. These areas are managed according to Forest Management Plans, which aim to ensure that the natural and cultural values of these areas are maintained and that the use of forest resources provide long-term community benefit.
These are working plans, put into operation by the Secretary of DSE, pursuant to Section 22 of the Forests Act 1958. They have also been developed to conform with all Victorian land and natural resources legislation, including the National Parks Act 1975, Land Act 1958, Heritage Rivers Act 1992, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Protection of species listed under the Commonwealth Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 are also provided for in these plans. Forest Management Area Plans also fulfil a requirement of the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production, which sets goals and guidelines for the conduct of all commercial timber production activities in Victoria. The Code has recently been revised to incorporate the most recent research on forest protection and management. Following are Forest Management Plans relevant to the North Central region:
