Major Projects Grant
Project Business Plan
PROJECT:Timber supply changes to support conservation of native flora, Koala habitat and Aboriginal cultural heritage on the NSW far south coast
PROJECT MANAGER:Daniel Tuan
Senior Manager Production South
Forestry Corporation of NSW
CONTACT DETAILS:Phone: 02 4475 1401
Email:
Mobile: 0447 744 428
Address: PO Box 42, Batemans Bay NSW 2536
Version 0.A (10092015)
The version identifier for the Project Business Plan should be altered and dated
with each amendment made. This provides an indication of the currency of the Plan.
[1]
Table of Contents
1Project Overview
1.1Project Title
1.2Project Summary
1.3Project Background
2Project Vision, Objectives and Outcomes...... 4
2.1Vision...... 4
2.2Objectives Hierarchy...... 4
2.2.1Government Objective(s)...... 4
2.2.2Organisation Objective(s)...... 4
2.2.3Environmental Trust Objects...... 5
2.2.4Outcomes Hierarchy and Evaluation Framework...... 5
2.3Outputs
3Project Structure and Governance
3.1Project Structure
3.1.1Project Location
3.1.2Project Design
3.1.3Project Plan
3.2Governance
3.2.1Funding Arrangements
3.2.2Decision Making
3.2.3Project Manager
3.2.4Environmental Trust Subcommittee/Technical Committee2
3.2.5Reference Groups (optional)2
3.2.6Project Team2
3.2.7Contractors2
4Engagement and Communication
4.1Engagement Spectrum
4.2Stakeholder Identification and Mapping
4.3Partners/Collaborators
4.4Volunteers
4.5Communication Strategy
5Project Measures and Reporting
5.1Project Measures – Schedule C
5.2Reporting
5.2.1Reports to the Environmental Trust
5.2.2Reports to the Environmental Trust Subcommittee
5.2.3Reports to Project Partners and reports from Project Partners7
5.2.4Reports to the Stakeholders7
5.2.5Information Management7
6Resource Management8
6.1Funding and Budgeted Expenditure8
6.2Description of in kind support8
6.3Risk Identification, Analysis and Mitigation8
6.4Review Process...... 19
7Project Monitoring and Evaluation0
7.1Types of evaluation0
7.2Monitoring during the project0
7.3Evaluation at the completion of the project1
8Glossary2
9Appendices3
Major Programs: Project/Business Plan Guidelines and Template
1Project Overview
1.1Project Title
Timber supply changes to support conservation of native flora, Koala habitat and Aboriginal cultural heritage on the NSW far south coast
1.2Project Summary
The project will protect native flora and important habitat for the last remaining koala population on the NSW far south coast and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage on 11,800 hectares of state forest. Commercial timber harvesting will cease in Murrah, Mumbulla, Tanja and the southern part of Bermagui State forests and the area will be permanently protected as a flora reserve, to be managed by the Office of Environment and Heritage.The project will fund access to alternative timber supply sources that will ensure the maintenance of the local timber industry and the protection of jobs.
1.3Project Background
Answer the following key questions:
- What environmental/sustainability issues/challenges are targeted for resolution through this project and why is the project needed?
The project willprotect native flora,important habitat for the last remaining koala population and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in four state forests on the NSW far south coast.
The once healthy koala population in south eastern NSW has declined significantly due to the well accepted key threats to koalas including land clearing leading to permanent loss of habitat; increased areas of housing close to bushland; road traffic; dog attack; prolonged drought and diseases (see for example ‘The Koala – Saving our national icon’, report of the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communities, 22 September 2011). Even with the reservation of large areas of national park estate as a result of the 1999 Eden Regional Forest Agreement, it became apparent that koalas were occupying marginal habitat and the trajectory of their populations was in steep decline.
Koalas have since disappeared from all parts of the region, across multiple tenures, except for the Murrah-Mumbulla area. Recent surveys have shown that this population is not only stable, but actually showing some signs of recovery. The relative health of this population is due to the higher productivity of the soils, their proximity to river flat red gum forests and the absence of disturbance to the area for a significant period.
The Murrah, Mumbulla, Tanja and southern part of Bermagui State forests, totalling 11,800 hectares, form the core of this population, which is thought to number around 60 individuals.
While timber harvesting in general is not a threat to koalas and other species when it is dispersed in time and space, the already fragile state of the koala population on the south coast means limiting disturbance to individual koalas is considered a means by which the protection of the koala population on the south coast as a whole can be enhanced. Reserving these forests as Flora Reserves will result in the cessation of commercial timber harvesting. This would eliminate a disturbance of the land which contributes, among other things, to minimising disturbance of the habitat of this particular colony of koalas andenables the forest landscape to be managed with the primary view of conserving this population. In addition, benefits flowing from continued work, albeit outside of this project scope, on mitigating the key threats to koalas (mentioned above) will be able to be applied to this site to further enhance the population’s state.
It is expected that the protection of other native species will also be enhanced as a result of cessation of commercial timber harvesting. The protection measures specified in the Threatened Species Licence issued for commercial timber harvesting under the Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals provide a high degree of protection for threatened species. However, commercial timber harvesting has been absent in these forests for many years due to preferential harvesting in less sensitive forests available for harvesting in the Eden Region. As a result, without this project, a larger than usual area of these forests would be required to be harvested during the period to 31 December 2018 to meet contractual supply commitments. Timber harvesting at such an intensity would be likely to have at least a short term impact on the habitat of koalas and other species in this area. This is a unique set of circumstances where cessation of commercial timber harvesting can be regarded as a direct contributor to the protection of koalas and other species by eliminating a relatively significant disturbance of land thereby enhancing the overall environmental outcome for the region.
Two applications were lodged with the Australian Government in May 2011 to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in part of Bodalla State Forestand all of Mumbulla and Murrah State Forests under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Commonwealth). A determination of these applications has not yet been made.
While Forestry Corporation is legally able to harvest timber while the applications are being assessed, consultation with local Aboriginal communities revealed none were prepared to endorse harvesting prior to a decision being made. The proposed conversion of the four forests to flora reserve ensures protection of the Aboriginal cultural heritage values of these forests as well as their native flora and koala habitat.
At the same time, the State Government and Forestry Corporation are committed to long-term contracts for wood supply which include supply from these four forests. This project facilitates exclusion of commercial harvesting from the four forests to aid the conservation of native flora, the koala population and the Aboriginal cultural heritage present while enabling the State to meet its commitment to wood supply by funding the additional costs of sourcing of timber from alternative locations.
- What is the current situation, outline the baseline situation?
See above.
- What will you do to address the issues/challenges?
The proposal seeks to ensure the long-term protection of native flora and the last remaining koala population on the far south coast by enacting formal protection of important habitat and focusing management on protection and recoveryof the population. The proposal will also protectAboriginal cultural heritage in the four forests. This can be achieved through existing mechanisms within the Forestry Act 2012. A flora reserve will be declared over Murrah, Mumbulla, Tanja and the southern part of Bermagui State forests. OEH will be appointed as land manager of the flora reserves with funding provided for land management through a re-allocation of $110,000 per annum (plus relevant Treasury escalation) of Community Service Obligation funding of the Forestry Corporation.
This will have the effect of excluding commercial timber harvesting but retaining the State Forest dedication.It is appropriate to appoint OEH as the land manager as the four forests are unique, in that they contain significant koala habitat and are the subject of Aboriginal cultural heritage applications, and this will also provide synergies with the management of surrounding landscapes and National Parks.
OEH will prepare and implement a management plan for the flora reserve for approval by the Minister for Primary Industries under the Forestry Act 2012to cover land management operations, including:
- Fire management actions to protect koala and other native species populations and deal with fire risks. Fire strategies will be integrated with the existing fire management regime on adjoining National Parks.
- Pest management, including continuing regular fox/dog baiting, benefiting koalas and other native species
- Engagement with Aboriginal communities, neighbours and other stakeholders, particularly on koala monitoring and Aboriginal connection to country.
- Koala monitoring and research to determine long term population trends and support management decision-making
- Maintenance of road and trail network to support fire and other management activities.
- How does the project differ from your core business? Explain why this project is not core business and how it value adds to core business. You should also demonstrate the project is not cost-shifting or replacement funding.
Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) supplies two major customers, Blue Ridge Hardwoods (BRH) and South East Fibre Exports (SEFE) from the Eden Management Area (EMA) (which is specified as the supply area for BRH and includes the four forests) under long-term Wood Supply Agreements (WSA). The State is a party to these WSAs. From the beginning of 2016 until the end of the WSA’s term on 31 December 2018,greater than 50 per cent (40,000m3 of 75,000 m3) of the available supply from the EMA would need to be sourced from these four forests to meet these WSAs.This proposal seeks to exclude commercial harvesting from the four forests and supplying these customers with timber from areas further north in the South Coast Management Area (SCMA). This is contrary to the core business of FCNSW and involves additional costs that are to be met by the Environmental Trust grant. The funding sought is purely to meet the range of additional costs that will be incurred as a result of changing the supply area.
- How will the benefits/outcomes from this project continue beyond the life of the project?
The protection and recovery of the koala populationand conservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage values will be an ongoing focus of management for OEH. This will be reinforced by synergies with OEH management of the national parks that surround and are adjacent to the Murrah-Mumbulla forests.
Declaration of the forests as a flora reserve will provide for a stronger and exclusive management focus on environmental and Aboriginal cultural heritage values. Long term continuity of the outcomes of this project is assured by:
- commercial timber harvesting not being permitted in flora reserves (similar to reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974)
-the conservation and ongoing nature of flora reserves, which have an IUCN IA category (an internationally recognised ‘reservation status’) equivalent to most, and greater than some, nature reserves (see national reporting at The object of any working operations plan for a flora reserve “is to be the preservation of native flora” (Forestry Act 2012, clause 25). Revocation of a flora reserve requires an Act of Parliament, which is the same level of legislative protection provided to nature reserves and other reservation categories under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
-The statutory management plan will direct OEH management actions and investment, ensuring that protection of koala and other native species and conserving natural values remain a priority focus of land management over the long term.
- What are the related activities/opportunities? (i.e., relevant programs, strategies, plans, organisational policies or intentionsacross all levels of government, stakeholder groups, etc).
The project contributes to achieving actions in the koala recovery plan and iconic species project under Saving our Species, the NSW Government’s program to secure as many threatened species as possible in the wild for the next 100 years.
Protection of critical corridors and landscapes, contributing to the Government’s Green Corridors Program (previously funded by the Environmental Trust) and supporting the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative.
The new flora reserve will contribute to a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system in NSW.
Management of pests and weeds. Will enable more efficient management of pests and weeds on existing parks, linking to NSW Regional Pest Management Strategies and the NSW Invasive Species Plan.
- How have you determined that the project is at the most appropriate spatial, temporal and institutional scale?
Discussions between Forestry Corporation, EPA and OEH have determined that permanently preventing commercial timber harvesting from these four forests is most appropriate for achieving the objectives of protecting the native flora,koala habitat and Aboriginal cultural heritage while maintaining timber supply and protecting jobs in the region.
2Project Vision, Objectives and Outcomes
2.1Vision
Ensure the long-term protection of native flora,important habitat for the last remaining koala population on the far south coast and Aboriginal cultural heritage by:
-ceasing commercial timber harvesting in the four state forests through the permanent protection of those forests as flora reserves
-maintaining timber supply and protecting jobs in the region by accessing alternative timber supply
-appointing the Office of Environment and Heritage as the land manager to focus management on the koala population’s protection and recovery and provide synergies with the management of the surrounding national parks.
2.2Objectives Hierarchy
2.2.1Government Objective(s)
International context
International Convention on Biological Diversity
Target: at least 17 per cent of terrestrial area included in a protected area system, and integrated into the wider landscape, by 2020.
National context
Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030
Target 4: “by 2015, achieve a national increase of 600,000 km2 of native habitat managed primarily for biodiversity conservation across terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments”.
Target 6: “by 2015, four collaborative continental-scale linkages are established and managed to improve ecological connectivity”. This will be achieved by protecting biodiversity, maintaining and re-establishing ecosystem functions and reducing threats to biodiversity.
Australia’s Strategy for a National Reserve System - 2009-2030
Enhancing ‘core areas for the long term survival of threatened ecosystems and threatened species habitats in each of Australia’s bioregions by 2030’.
State context
NSW 2021: A Plan to Make NSW Number One
Goal 22: “protect our natural environment” with the target to “protect and conserve land, biodiversity and native vegetation”, “protect rivers, wetlands and coastal environments”.
Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 - Sect 3
Relevant objects of the Act:
(a) to conserve biological diversity and promote ecologically sustainable development
(c) to protect the critical habitat of those threatened species, populations and ecological communities that are endangered
(f) to encourage the conservation of threatened species, populations and ecological communities by the adoption of measures involving co-operative management.
Native Vegetation Act 2003 - Section 3
(c) to protect native vegetation of high conservation value having regard to its contribution to such matters as water quality, biodiversity, or the prevention of salinity or land degradation.
2.2.2Organisation Objective(s)
Will contribute to the following goals of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Corporate Plan 2014-2017:
• “ensure vibrant natural assets for the health and prosperity of NSW”
• “build resilience to climate change and environmental hazards and risks”.
The project will also contribute to the achievement of FCNSW objectives specified in its Statement of Corporate Intent by ensuring continuity of timber supply to key customers and meeting contractual obligations.
2.2.3Environmental Trust Objects
The proposal contributes to the achievement of Environmental Trust objectives by facilitating permanent protection of 11,800 hectares of forested land to support the recovery of the last remaining koala population and Aboriginal cultural heritage on the NSW far south coast. The proposal will specifically address the Trust objective:
(a)to encourage and support restoration and rehabilitation projects in both the public and the private sectors that will or are likely to prevent or reduce pollution, the waste-stream or environmental degradation, of any kind, within any part of New South Wales.
2.2.4Outcomes Hierarchy and Evaluation Framework
Major Programs: Project/Business Plan Guidelines and TemplatePage 1 of 29
Outcomes Hierarchy and Evaluation Framework
Outcomes Hierarchy / Evaluation FrameworkObjective/Outcome/Activities/Needs (as applicable) / Evidence/
Assumptions / Evaluation questions and timeline / Performance indicator[2] / Performance target / Baseline / Performance information2
What are the assumptions on which you have based the hierarchy? / How will you know you have achieved your objective and outcome(s)? Have the activities/outputs been delivered and outcome(s) achieved? / What indicators will you use to demonstrate your success? / What targets will you use to determine your success? / How are you going to collect baseline data? / i.e. where will the performance indicator information come from and who will be responsible for collecting?
Ultimate outcome / Permanent protection of native flora, important koala habitat and Aboriginal cultural heritage / The outcome cannot be achieved without achieving the immediate outcomes. / Dedication of flora reserve, appointment of OEH as land manager and adoption/implementation of management plan will have occurred.
(See project background regarding the security of conservation tenure of a flora reserve.) / Gazettal of flora reserve.
Appointment instrument.
Plan adopted & implemented. / Gazettal of flora reserve.
Appointment instrument.
Plan adopted & implemented / NSW Government Gazette
Appointment instrument.
Plan adopted & implemented / NSW Government Gazette
Appointment instrument
Plan adopted & implemented.
Immediate outcomes / Declaration of flora reserve
OEH appointed as land manager of the flora reserve
Adoption of management plan / Dedication as flora reserve equates to the highest forms of reservation category.
OEH is better placed to manage the flora reserve with a conservation focus with synergies with suurounding national parks.
Statutory management plan with specific focus on koalas & natural values will ensure land management actions and expenditure focussed on these outcomes. / As above / As above / As above / As above / Flora reserve will be dedicated by the Minister for Primary Industries and published in the NSW Government Gazette.
Activities / Gazettal of flora reserve.
Appointment of OEH as land manager.
Expenditure of funds. / The activities reflect the desired outcomes. /
- Have contractual timber supply commitments been met from alternative sources by completion of the project?
Needs / Protection of native flora, important habitat for the last remaining koala population and Aboriginal cultural heritage on the NSW far south coast.
Meeting of timber supply commitments and protection of timber industry jobs in the region / See first point under 1.3 Project Background. / See first point under 1.3 Project Background.
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