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Objective
Recommendation
Key issues
What has been achieved 1998-2003
Tasmania Together
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Objective To create a sustainable firewood industry. Recommendation It is recommended that:- community education and awareness on the need for sustainable firewood collection is supported;
- research is undertaken into the locations, mechanisms, scale of firewood collection, and extent and intensity of biodiversity impacts of firewood collection, particularly on hollow dependent species, woodland birds and invertebrate fauna;
- the practicality of promoting commercial firewood collection from post-harvest woody debris in State Forest is investigated, in order to reduce pressure on poorly reserved dry forest and woodland vegetation;
- mandatory registration of firewood merchants and certified purchase of firewood are investigated for Tasmania (the system could be potentially based on the National Code of Practice for Firewood Merchants with registration criteria specific to Tasmania); and
- the impacts of firewood collection on biodiversity values, as well as use impacts associated with emissions of particulates, are considered as part of the preparation of an energy policy for Tasmania, which recognises that, for example, alternative forms of heating can be promoted and use of insulation required for new dwellings.
Key issues Some of the key points from the 'At a glance' section for the Firewood Collection and Usage Issue Report include the following.- In Tasmania, wood is the main source of home heating. A survey conducted by Aurora Energy (2001) showed that 50% of homes were using wood as a primary heat source, followed by electricity (44%), gas (4%) and oil (2%).
- In 1999-2000 Tasmania had the highest consumption rate of firewood per household in Australia, consuming 610,000 air dry tonnes of firewood each year. When industrial fuelwood is included, the total is 770,000 air dry tonnes of wood burnt per year. Of the Tasmanian households that use firewood, it has been estimated that 40% collect their own mainly from private land and 60% buy their wood.
- The plant species favoured for firewood collection form part of some of the most depleted and poorly reserved plant communities in Tasmania. Most notably inland peppermint (Eucalyptus tenuiramis) forest, inland black peppermint (E. amygdalina) forest, black peppermint forest on sandstone and cabbage gum (E. pauciflora) forest and woodland.
- Based on information on woodland species with distributions localised in firewood collection zones, 33 species of birds, 15 species of reptiles and 22 mammal species in Tasmania are likely to be threatened by firewood harvesting, due to the loss of tree hollows and/or foraging habitat. The large dead hollow-bearing trees and fallen timber are the two timber types most targeted by wood cutters, which puts fauna dependent on these habitats at considerable risk.
What has been achieved 1998-2003 - A national strategy for firewood collection and use in Australia has been developed (ANZECC 2001). The strategy aims to ensure firewood collection occurs on an ecologically sustainable basis and does not cause loss or degradation of remnant and woodland ecosystems or the habitat of threatened species. The strategy also aims to provide a national framework that each jurisdiction may draw upon to develop appropriate management strategies for their firewood industry. Each State, Territory and the Commonwealth will develop an action plan to implement the agreed national approach to firewood collection and use.
- As part of its commitment to addressing the impacts of firewood collection, the Commonwealth Government, through the Natural Heritage Trust's Bushcare program, sponsored firewood conferences in several parts of Australia. Tasmania held its first firewood conference in 2001 - entitled Firewood: a Biodiversity Consumer and Human Health Issue, organised by the Tasmanian Conservation Trust.
- The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 provides for the identification and listing of key threatening processes. These are processes that threaten or may threaten the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of a native species or ecological communities. In 2001, 'continued net loss of hollow-bearing trees in native forests and woodlands due to firewood harvesting practices' was listed on the Act.
- In 2001, the State Government introduced a new penalty for cutting, damaging or otherwise destroying a tree on reserved land. Conviction under the section of the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002 can result in a 'fine not exceeding 500 penalty units ($50,000) or imprisonment for a term not more than two years, or both'. These regulations relate equally to live, dead or fallen trees. This new penalty is in addition to the existing penalties of up to $2,000 for taking a growing or standing plant in a reserve.
- From January 2002, all harvesting (including firewood) in excess of 100 tonnes per property per year must be subject to a certified Forest Practices Plan under the Forest Practices Act 1985.
Tasmania Together Relevant Tasmania Together goals and standards for 'Biodiversity' are listed in the linked file. The Tasmania Together Progress Board reported on progress toward targets for benchmarks set (Tasmania Together Progress Board 2003). Indicators, targets and baseline data are available in the latest Progress Report June 2003. Further information, including progress report updates, is available from Tasmania Together. |
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