The press release that accompanied the release of the DFA document back in
1995 sums up the purpose of the DFA's:.......
JOINT STATEMENT: Senator John Faulkner, Minister
for the Environment, Sport and Territories
David Beddall MP, Minister for Resources
Six Million Hectares Protected In Deferred Forest Areas
1 December 1995
The Commonwealth Government today protected about six million hectares of forest
areas which may be required for inclusion in Australia's forest reserve system.
These Deferred Forest Areas (DFAs) are in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria
and Western Australia
The Ministers said this precautionary approach will ensure that these forest
areas are not logged while complete assessments are undertaken to finally determine
the reserve system.
"The Deferred Forest Areas (DFAs) represent the most significant national
step forward in forest conservation since the signing of the National Forest
Policy Statement in December 1992," Senator Faulkner said.
"The DFAs contain those forest areas needed for our world class forest
reserve system and were selected on the basis of the Commonwealth's reserve
criteria which was lauded by the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature."
The Commonwealth's national reserve criteria includes:
-a broad benchmark of 15% of the pre-1750 distribution of each forest community
to be protected within the reserve system
-retention in reserves of at least 60% of existing old growth, increasing up
to 100% (where practicable) for rare old growth and
-protection of 90% or more wherever practicable, of areas of high quality wilderness
that exceeds minimum size thresholds.
The Deferred Forest Area agreements also include specific arrangements to protect
endangered species listed under Commonwealth legislation as well as enhanced
protection of National Estate and areas with potential World Heritage values.
The Deferred Forest Areas were identified by Commonwealth and State officials
in consultation with conservation, industry, unions and community groups. More
than 500 public submissions were received.
"The States will now be asked to sign formal intergovernmental agreements
on Deferred Forest Agreements as a prelude to Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs).
These agreements will remain in place until Regional Forest Agreements are completed,"
Mr Beddall said.
The Ministers said the competing demands of conservation and industry needs
in Australia's forests have been a contentious and long-standing issue.
"The Deferred Forest Areas will provide increased certainty for both
conservation and industry interests pending the completion of Regional Forest
Agreements and the establishment of the reserve system.
"The DFAs are in line with the objectives outlined in the National Forest
Policy Statement which protect conservation values in native forests while at
the same time providing a sustainable timber industry," Mr Beddall said.
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